Red Bull maintain dominance as Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen comfortably outpace rivals; Charles Leclerc appears to escape major damage after crashing into barriers; Watch Belgian GP qualifying live on Sky Sports F1 at 3pm on Saturday, with build-up from 2pm
Last Updated: 27/08/22 1:20pm
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Charles Leclerc spins his Ferrari during practise round three at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Charles Leclerc spins his Ferrari during practise round three at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Sergio Perez led a Red Bull one-two in final practice at the Belgian GP, before Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc narrowly escaped major damage as he crashed into the barriers.
World championship leader Verstappen looked set to repeat his Practice Two dominance until Perez produced a 1:45.047 in the closing moments of the session to better his team-mate by a tenth.
The late flurry of speed from Red Bull, which had also seen Verstappen increase the advantage he had held for much of the session, came after Leclerc once more lost control of his Ferrari to spin through the gravel and make contact with the barrier at Turn 12.
The Monegasque, whose 80-point deficit to Verstappen in the world championship has largely been caused by errors from both team and driver, managed to keep his car running and made it back to the pits despite red flags immediately being waved.
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Red Bull’s Sergio Perez tops the table with the fastest lap in practise three at the Belgian Grand Prix.
Perez’s late show of strength is particularly significant because Verstappen and Leclerc – along with five other drivers – are facing penalties for taking new engine parts that will see them start from the rear of the grid.
With Mercedes once more off the pace with George Russell sixth and Lewis Hamilton 12th, Perez would appear set for a pole position shootout later on Saturday with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who was third.
More to follow…