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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
Sport
Asharq Al-Awsat

Hamilton Leads 3rd Practice for Belgian GP, Vettel Last

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during a practice session for the Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, Belgium Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (Stephanie Lecocq, Pool via AP)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton led the third and final practice for the Belgian Grand Prix ahead of qualifying later on Saturday.

The Formula One champion was 0.23 seconds faster than Renault's Esteban Ocon and 0.39 quicker than McLaren's Lando Norris.

While Hamilton will be aiming for a record-extending 93rd pole position, things are going from terrible to abysmal for Ferrari.

Sebastian Vettel had the slowest time of the 20 drivers - a humbling experience for the four-time F1 champion - while teammate Charles Leclerc did little better with 17th place.

While Leclerc has two podium finishes this season, Vettel is enduring his worst start since 2008 and has yet to finish a race in the top five. He has twice finished 10th and once 12th this season.

Vettel last won at the Singapore GP in September - his only victory in 2019 - and the German driver's last podium finish was in Mexico in October.

Since then he has retired in three out of nine races.

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