Dutch GP: Charles Leclerc leads as Red Bull make gains in Practice 3

Charles Leclerc set the pace in a very tight final practice at the Dutch Grand Prix.

The story early on was the resurgence of Max Verstappen, who, after a difficult Friday blighted by a gearbox problem, jumped half a second clear of the field after the first runs.

But when the second set of soft tyres went on for the final flying laps, it was Carlos Sainz and then Leclerc who went fastest with a 1m11.632s.

George Russell would split the two Ferrari’s in second for Mercedes, just 0.066s slower than the Monegasque.

Verstappen also improved on his earlier best but could only manage third, albeit after a small mistake on his first flying lap.

The Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull order was repeated as Sainz led Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez, with just half a second covering the top six.

After the chequered flag, there was a close call between Sainz and Perez as the Mexican was caught out by the fast-approaching Spaniard.

Fernando Alonso finished ‘best of the rest’ in seventh for Alpine as four different teams rounded out the top 10.

Sebastian Vettel was eighth ahead of close friend Mick Schumacher in ninth. Following an impressive Friday, Lando Norris had a tricky start to Saturday as he slipped back to P10 in the McLaren.

Further down, Alex Albon will be pushing for a Q2 spot in qualifying after taking 13th for Williams, but the two AlphaTauri drivers have work to do in 15th and 16th.

Daniel Ricciardo was a lowly 17th after running wide across the gravel at the chicane.

Alfa Romeo are facing a Q1 exit in 18th and 19th, while Nicholas Latifi was slowest overall.

Full results from Practice 3 can be seen below: