Silverstone (United Kingdom) (AFP)

Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the fastest time in the 3rd free practice session of the Grand Prix anniversary of F1's 70th anniversary, 5th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, on Saturday at the Silverstone circuit (5.891 km ).

Under hot and sunny weather, the six-time British world champion edged out his Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas, with the Mercedes once again showing their superiority.

The 3rd is the Briton Lando Norris (McLaren) more than half a second, just ahead of the "freelance" Nico Hülkenberg who replaces at Racing Point Sergio Perez, tested positive for the coronavirus.

Lewis Hamilton had already achieved pole position on the same Silverstone circuit last Saturday for the British Grand Prix. He then claimed victory, his 7th in F1 on this circuit, however crossing the finish line with a flat tire.

The tires will still be the big unknown at this 70th anniversary Grand Prix because of the heat but also the large, very fast curves of this track which subject the tires to strong constraints.

The qualifying session must start at 3:00 p.m. (French time).

The classification of the 3rd free practice session:

Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Mercedes) 1: 26.621

Valtteri Bottas (FIN / Mercedes) 1: 26.784

Lando Norris (GBR / McLaren-Renault) 1: 27.202

Nico Hülkenberg (GER / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 27.256

Lance Stroll (CAN / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 27.263

Charles Leclerc (MON / Ferrari) 1: 27.328

Max Verstappen (NED / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 27.455

Alexander Albon (THA / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 27.474

Esteban Ocon (FRA / Renault) 1: 27.496

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP / McLaren-Renault) 1: 27.627

Pierre Gasly (FRA / AlphaTauri-Honda) 1: 27.659

Daniil Kvyat (RUS / AlphaTauri-Honda) 1: 27.754

Sebastian Vettel (GER / Ferrari) 1: 27.811

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS / Renault) 1: 27.815

Romain Grosjean (FRA / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 28.076

Nicholas Latifi (CAN / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 28.125

George Russell (GBR / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 28.349

Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 28.468

Kimi Räikkönen (FIN / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 28.538

Kevin Magnussen (DEN / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 28.763

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© 2020 AFP