Sakhir (Bahrain) (AFP)

Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) set the best time in front of the Mercedes in the 3rd free practice session of the Bahrain Grand Prix, 15th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, on Saturday at the Sakhir circuit (5.412 km) .

In 1 min 28 sec 355/1000, Verstappen outclassed Briton Lewis Hamilton for 263/1000 and Finland's Valtteri Bottas for 366/1000, which gives hope for tight qualifying at dusk, at 5 p.m. local (3 p.m. French).

The second Red Bull of the Thai Alexander Albon, reconditioned after a heavy crash Friday, is 4th at 663/1000.

Behind the two top teams, the midfielder appears dominated on one lap by McLaren (Carlos Sainz Jr 5th, Lando Norris 7th) and AlphaTauri (Pierre Gasly 6th, Daniil Kvyat 8th), ahead of Racing Point then Renault.

Yet the most rewarded team in Bahrain with six wins and five pole positions, Ferrari is content with 13th place for German Sebastian Vettel and 15th for Monegasque Charles Leclerc.

As a reminder, Hamilton, crowned world champion for the 7th time in the previous round in Turkey, had been the fastest of the two sessions the day before and does not intend to ease off during the last three rounds of the season.

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3rd free practice session:

Max Verstappen (NED / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 28.355 (11 laps)

Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Mercedes) 1: 28.618 (12)

Valtteri Bottas (FIN / Mercedes) 1: 28.721 (14)

Alexander Albon (THA / Red Bull-Honda) 1: 29.018 (12)

Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP / McLaren-Renault) 1: 29.455 (12)

Pierre Gasly (FRA / AlphaTauri-Honda) 1: 29.472 (16)

Lando Norris (GBR / McLaren-Renault) 1: 29.567 (8)

Daniil Kvyat (RUS / AlphaTauri-Honda) 1: 29.585 (17)

Lance Stroll (CAN / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 29.660 (13)

Sergio Pérez (MEX / Racing Point-Mercedes) 1: 29.672 (12)

Daniel Ricciardo (AUS / Renault) 1: 29.684 (9)

Esteban Ocon (FRA / Renault) 1: 29.691 (11)

Sebastian Vettel (GER / Ferrari) 1: 29.859 (15)

Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 29.970 (10)

Charles Leclerc (MON / Ferrari) 1: 30.183 (14)

George Russell (GBR / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 30.559 (16)

Romain Grosjean (FRA / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 30.652 (16)

Kevin Magnussen (DEN / Haas-Ferrari) 1: 30.759 (12)

Kimi Räikkönen (FIN / Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari) 1: 30.823 (16)

Nicholas Latifi (CAN / Williams-Mercedes) 1: 30.917 (19)

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