Ferrari sets the pace for free training for the French Formula One Grand Prix

Ferrari has made a strong start to training ahead of the French Formula One Grand Prix this weekend, where it will be seeking a third win in a row, with driver Carlos Sainz setting the best time for a free practice day at Le Castellet on Friday, before that. From his teammate Charles Leclerc.

The Italian team was the fastest in both sessions today, with Leclerc in the first and Sainz in the second. The Spaniard will lose at least 10 places on the starting grid for Sunday’s race as he overtakes the plug-in application of his car’s power unit.

Monaco, winner of the last race in Austria, set a best time of 1 minute 33 minutes on soft tyres, in first practice, ahead of championship leader Max Verstappen. However, Sainz scored 1:32.527 in the afternoon session.

Verstappen has stated that the Red Bull team has been testing a few things in the car, and they still haven’t got the right balance. “We will have everything for tomorrow, and of course we will try to be closer than it is today,” said the Dutchman.

Ferrari won the final race with Leclerc, after Sainz won in the UK. Verstappen leads Leclerc by 38 points after 11 races, for a total of 22 races for the season.

George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes in both sessions, and fellow seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton exited the opening session for the first time to make way for reserve driver and Formula E champion Nick de Vries. During the afternoon, Hamilton was fifth.