---
title: "Leclerc on top in rain-soaked Hockenheim FP3"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2018/07/21/leclerc-on-top-in-rain-soaked-hockenheim-fp3/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Kyran Gibbons"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2018-07-21T11:26:57Z"
modified: "2018-07-21T11:28:56Z"
---

# Leclerc on top in rain-soaked Hockenheim FP3

Sauber’s Formula 1 rookie Charles Leclerc finished at the top of the timesheet after only nine cars set timed laps in a rain-soaked FP3 ahead of the German Grand Prix.

Ahead of the weekend, wet conditions had been anticipated for Saturday. With teams not permitted an additional set of wet and intermediate tyres in the case of a wet FP3, the majority decided not to complete any timed laps.

Wet and intermediate tyres may be required for qualifying based on current forecasts.

Sauber was the team to complete the most mileage. Leclerc posted a 1m34.577s in the final moments to grab top spot on what was his eighth and last lap in the hour-long session.

His team-mate Marcus Ericsson was 0.423s adrift in second place, while Williams’ Sergey Sirotkin was third.

Ferrari, Mercedes and Force India were the only three teams not to venture out for an install lap in the first 15 minutes of the session.

Appearing on track in the final 10 minutes, Ferrari was the only one of these three teams to complete timed laps. Vettel ended up fourth and Raikkonen eighth.

The Toro Rosso pairing of Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley were fifth and sixth. Nico Hulkenberg, who was the first to post a timed lap, ended up seventh and Lance Stroll was ninth..

Hulkenberg’s Renault team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr was one of the last drivers out on track early on before what was a 30-minute window in which no driver ventured onto the circuit. During his in-lap, Sainz aquaplaned off the track at the high speed Turn 7 before spinning just four corners later.

Gasly spun at Turn 8 when cars re-emerged for the final 10 minutes. Vettel looped his Ferrari in the Turn 6 hairpin run-off moments later.