Lewis Hamilton confirms his speed momentum at Sepang with the fastest time of FP3 ahead of Max Verstappen and Nico Rosberg.
Esteban Gutierrez was the first driver to head out on track. Daniel Ricciardo was the first to set a reference time in 1:36.483. The Mercedes were waiting a bit before going on track. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso, who had already been handed a 45-place grid penalty, could not go on track in the beginning of the session.
The Haas cars kept their difficulties as Esteban Gutierrez spun in the last corner and Romain Grosjean was really struggling with his car and complained about an issue. Sebastian Vettel also had been tricked in the last corner, spinning as well.
Coming to the last 20 minutes of the session, Ricciardo was leading from Hamilton, Verstappen and Rosberg. Pascal Wehrlein was also facing mechanic problems. With twenty minutes to go, Rosberg claimed the fastest time in his first time on softs before Hamilton went no less than six tenths faster than his teammate.
In the last ten minutes, the Ferrari went back on top and settled behind Rosberg as Verstappen set the second fastest time of the session.
Hamilton finished the third free-practice session in the lead ahead of Verstappen and Rosberg. Raikkonen, Vettel, Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, Bottas, Sainz and Massa completed the top 10.
