Red Bull driver Max Verstappen topped the third and final free practice session of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, but it was mighty close at the top of the timing screens with the top six separated by less than half a second and setting the stage for an enthralling qualifying.
Verstappen’s best lap time of 1.17.113 was a mere seven hundredths of a second faster than Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes.
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was a tenth down on the top time in third place, which was five hundredth of as second up on Valtteri Bottas who was fourth in the other Mercedes.
A quarter of a second down on Verstappen’s best was his Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo in fifth, with Kimi Raikkonen four tenths down on the top time in the Ferrari.
Home hero Sergio Perez was seventh, ahead of Force India team mate Esteban Ocon.
New Zealander Brendon Hartley was an impressive 11th fastest on only his second race weekend for Toro Rosso.
All indications are that we can expect a fascinating qualifying session at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, with any of the six drivers capable of snatching top spot on the grid for Sunday’s race.
