Lewis Hamilton edged out championship rival Max Verstappen in final practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix – as Mick Schumacher crashed out.
Hamilton, who is just eight points behind Verstappen in the title standings, will head into qualifying holding the upper hand.
The world champion finished 0.088 seconds faster than Verstappen at the Hungaroring, with Valtteri Bottas third in the other Mercedes.
FP3 CLASSIFICATION@LewisHamilton sets the pace in our final practice session of the weekend! #HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/nOjIX4sWGQ — Formula 1 (@F1) July 31, 2021
Schumacher's participation in qualifying appears in serious doubt after he slammed into the barriers at Turn 11.
The 22-year-old German lost control of his Haas through the right-hander at 120mph before hitting the tyre wall.
Schumacher, who appeared winded in the high-speed accident, was helped out of his Haas cockpit before being taken away in the medical car.
Good to see @SchumacherMick out of the car Keep your head up, Mick! 👊#HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/teqFBmylTX — Formula 1 (@F1) July 31, 2021
Schumacher reported over the radio that he was "OK", before apologising for the crash which leaves his mechanics with a significant repair job.
Schumacher's impact registered at more than 30G. He was taken to the medical centre to be assessed before being given the all-clear.
There was a close call in the pit lane when Antonio Giovinazzi was released into the path of the oncoming Lance Stroll.
Aston Martin driver Stroll ran over Giovinazzi's front wing. Giovinazzi then blocked Pierre Gasly at the penultimate corner forcing the Alpha Tauri driver to take evasive action. The flashpoint is being investigated by the stewards.
Look out! ⚠️ A very close-call between Giovinazzi and Stroll in the pit lane 😳#HungarianGP 🇭🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/3tTGvXx81s — Formula 1 (@F1) July 31, 2021
Elsewhere, the Ferrari duo of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished fourth and fifth respectively ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris.
Qualifying for the concluding round before the summer break takes place at 2pm BST.
