The session started on time despite the pouring rain. Drivers took to the circuit in the first few minutes to make the most of, possibly, the best the track conditions were going to get.
If qualifying is abandoned completely, the FP3 order has a slim chance to dictate the starting grid, so the teams and drivers were eager to post some lap-times onto the board.
Nico Rosberg was the first to lose control, doing so in the first sector and the German slid into the barriers, breaking only his front wing.
Sebastian Vettel led from team-mate Raikkonen after 15 minutes. Onboard replays showed some spectacular car control from drivers including Marcus Ericsson, Felipe Massa and Felipe Nasr. Conditions were treacherous, but most drivers stayed out on track.
Lewis Hamilton posted the first sub-two minute lap-time to go fastest ahead of Sebastian with half of the session remaining, a 1:59.5. The German spun his Ferrari shortly after and told his team the rain had picked up.
The track became quieter with 25 minutes to go and no-one could improve from then until the end.
Hamilton finished top ahead of closest championship rival, Vettel. Hulkenberg led Bottas in third and fourth – both impressively only a tenth away from Sebastian. The rest finished as follows: Sainz, Kvyat, Raikkonen, Ricciardo, Rosberg, Massa, Perez, Grosjean, Maldonado, Alonso, Ericsson, Button, Stevens, Rossi, Nasr and Verstappen.
Not one intermediate tyre was used in the session.
