Reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton comfortably topped Saturday’s final practice session for Formula 1’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Hamilton set a benchmark effort on Medium tyres early on that proved quicker than the times rival Ferrari could set on the Soft rubber.
The front-runners all made gains during the final efforts on the softest available compound and once again Hamilton laid down a marker.
Hamilton posted a 1:16.568 – and followed it up with a lap just 0.023s slower next time around – to finish 0.531s clear of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Friday pacesetter Valtteri Bottas caused a red flag period early in the session when he spun into the Turn 5 gravel on an out lap on Medium tyres.
Bottas recovered to finish third overall, just 0.024s adrift of Leclerc, while fourth-placed Sebastian Vettel – who had a spin at the chicane – was a mere 0.049s further back.
Haas once again displayed impressive single-lap pace as Romain Grosjean classified fifth, a mere 0.020s behind Vettel, with team-mate Kevin Magnussen sixth.
Lead Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was seventh, with Toro Rosso’s Alexander Albon, Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen and McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. rounded out the top 10.
Renault again finished outside of the leading spots with Nico Hulkenberg 12th and Daniel Ricciardo only 17th.
George Russell had posted an encouraging time for Williams, just four-tenths down on Lando Norris, but ended his session in the barriers after spinning through Turn 4.
Qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix will begin at 15:00 local time.
