Fuoco Leads Ferrari 1-2-3 in Rain-Impacted Qatar FP3

Photo: Fabrizio Boldoni/DPPI

Antonio Fuoco led a Ferrari 1-2-3 in the final practice sessions prior to qualifying and Hyperpole for Friday’s FIA World Endurance Championship season opener in Qatar.

The Italian driver laid down a best lap of 1:39.484 early in the 60-minute session, which was impacted by periods of light rain.

Fuoco’s time was 0.081 seconds quicker than teammate Antonio Giovinazzi in the No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari 499P, with Robert Kubica slotting in third aboard the third-string Prancing Horse.

The pair of Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac V-Series.Rs completed the top-five, with the No. 38 entry of Sebastien Bourdais ahead of Alex Lynn in the No. 12 Cadillac.

Cars were seen sliding around the Lusail International Circuit in slightly damp conditions, which, however, did not require the use of wet-weather tires.

The only incident came when Ben Keating ran into the Turn 2 gravel in the No. 33 TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, resulting in a Full Course Yellow.

Five cars were assessed a five-minute stop-and-hold penalty for disrespecting the FCY procedures.

LMGT3 was topped by the No. 95 United Autosports McLaren 720S GT3 of Sean Gelael, ahead of Finn Gehrsitz’s No. 78 Akkodis ASP Lexus RC F GT3 in second.

Of note, both times were set in the second half of the session, which featured slightly more rain.

The No. 59 United McLaren was third in class, followed by a late improvement by Charlie Eastwood in the No. 81 TF Corvette.

Qualifying is set to get underway at 5 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET).

RESULTS: Free Practice 3

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John