Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen got in the mood for the fight for pole position at the US Grand Prix with the fastest lap in the last free practice session.

The 25-year-old Dutchman relegated the Red Bull Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc to second place. The Monegasse will be penalized ten places in the starting grid for the race this Sunday (9 p.m. / Sky) anyway because of new engine parts in his Ferrari. Third on the Circuit of the Americas was Carlos Sainz in the second Scuderia car. Sebastian Vettel finished eighth in the Aston Martin.

It was incredibly bad for Mick Schumacher. Problems with the water pump stopped the 23-year-old after just a few minutes. He was only able to get back on the track with Haas in the final phase - and that after the team bosses had made it clear that he had to score points if he wanted a new contract for the coming year. 19th place out of 20 drivers, more was not possible in the third free practice session.