Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time on Free Practice 3, a session which was interrupted by the rain and a red flag. Max Verstappen finished 2nd ahead of Nico Rosberg.
With a threatening rain prediction, most of the drivers started the session with the ultrasoft compound in order to get the qualifying feeling, as no rain is expected for that session. However, it was Verstappen and Ricciardo who led the session at the beginning with the supersoft tyre. This suggests that, if the track is dry for qualifying, Red Bull might follow the same strategy Ricciardo had in Monaco, that is, qualifying with the supersoft in Q2 in order to start the race with that compound tomorrow.
Halfway through the session, Vettel led 2 tenths ahead of Verstappen, Hamilton and Raikkonen. Rosberg, Ricciardo, Sainz, Alonso, Pérez and Massa completed the top 10. Light rain started to fall over the circuit when the McLarens were improving their times with the supersofts and the Red Bulls were testing the ultrasofts.
As the rain got heavier, most drivers headed back to the pits. Kevin Magnussen had a lateral crash against the wall at turn 7 which red flagged the session with 12 minutes to go. This gave an early ending for the session, which left Sebastian Vettel on top of the time sheets ahead of Max Verstappen and Nico Rosberg. Räikkönen, Hamilton, Ricciardo, Sainz, Alonso, Pérez and Massa completed the top 10, with Alonso being the only one setting his fastest lap on the supersofts.
