It was time for the third free practice session at Zandvoort on Saturday. Max Verstappen set the fastest lap and will start qualifying as the fastest driver.
However, the focus in FP3 was not only on Verstappen, but also on the new drivers on the track. Robert Kubica will drive instead of Kimi Raikkonen in the Alfa Romeo this race weekend, as the Finn tested positive for COVID-19.
The Pole also went out first and set a time straight away, but it was not a benchmark as he was driving this track for the first time. After five minutes there was an all-clear for Max Verstappen, who did not get a grid penalty because of his overtaking maneuver during red flags in FP2.
The first minor incident happened to Sebastian Vettel, who lost the rear, drove through the gravel and cleared the DRS sign with the rear.
The next red flag on this race weekend was not long in coming, however, because just shortly after Vettel’s incident Carlos Sainz drove into the outside of Hugenholtzbocht and destroyed the front suspension and front wing.
After a little more than ten minutes, however, the race continued and Fernando Alonso set a great time in the Alpine with 1:10.670. After that, almost all drivers changed to soft tires to start the qualifying tests. This was well used by both Mercedes drivers at the start, that set the two fastest laps, a good ten minutes before the end of the session. However, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen showed an incredible lap, putting himself ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton with a time of 1:09.623. This time was enough for the Dutchman to set the fastest time in FP3. Verstappen also benefited from Perez’s slipstream in the third sector.
In the end, there were still some mistakes in the corners with the approached soft tires. Among the victims were Charles Leclerc and Mick Schumacher.
The times of the top 10 drivers after FP3 in Zandvoort:
| Position | Driver | Team | Gap |
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:09.623 |
| 2 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | +0.556 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.794 |
| 4 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing | +0.903 |
| 5 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine | +1.047 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +1.158 |
| 7 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.219 |
| 8 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | +1.249 |
| 9 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +1.273 |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | +1.382 |
I'm from Austria and I'm a motosport-fan for more than 10 years. I want to be a journalist after I finish school. I am currently working for ASN Motorsports
