F1 qualifying LIVE: French Grand Prix lap times and latest updates

The Red Bull driver, who heads the title standings, finished three tenths clear of Carlos Sainz, with his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc third. Sainz will start Sunday’s race from the back of the field, penalised for taking on a number of unallocated engine parts.

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, one second adrift of Verstappen. The seven-time world champion trialled a new rear wing in the final running before qualifying. But the Mercedes man, who will on Sunday become just the sixth driver in Formula One history to compete in his 300th race, does not appear to be in contention for pole position.

George Russell finished sixth, one place behind Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and two tenths down on Hamilton in the other Mercedes. Verstappen, 38 points clear of Leclerc, looks the driver to beat after lapping the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet 0.354 seconds clear of Sainz.

Leclerc complained about the durability of his tyres, and also spun at Turn 12 after losing control of his Ferrari. Elsewhere, Fernando Alonso finished seventh for Alpine, with Alex Albon an encouraging eighth for Williams. McLaren have brought more upgrades to this track than at any other stage of the season and Lando Norris took ninth with team-mate Daniel Ricciardo 11th.

As odd as it may seem to jump the gun during grand prix No 12 of a 22-race season, this weekend’s French Grand Prix in the picturesque southern region of Le Castellet is something of a last-chance saloon for one team and, more pertinently, one venue.

First, to Circuit Paul Ricard, which only returned to Formula 1 in 2018 after a 28-year absence. It is near-certain that this will be the last time it hosts a race in motorsport’s greatest championship, with the French Grand Prix’s contract expiring this year and no extension forthcoming. With Las Vegas and potentially Shanghai and South Africa returning to the calendar next year, France is bound to come a cropper to F1’s exponential global boom particularly with Monaco remaining, for the time being, a campaign staple 109 miles down the coastline.

Yet more pertinently this race has long been earmarked – alongside Silverstone three weeks ago – as a key weekend for Mercedes, with the Constructors’ Champions still seeking top-notch performance as they pursue a first win of 2022. If there is even an inkling of the Silver Arrows reviving their season before serious attention turns to next year, it has to come this weekend at a flat, high-speed track. However Friday, following two practice stints, will have set no pulses excitedly racing in the garage, with George Russell finishing P4 in both hour-long sessions.

Lewis Hamilton – who did not run in FP1 as he made way for test driver Nyck de Vries as part of F1’s young driver protocol for 2022 – was fifth on the timesheet later in the afternoon, at a circuit he’s won twice at in 2018 and 2019 and where he will become just the sixth man to reach 300 grands prix in Formula 1. Unbeknownst to him, mind – he insisted he was unaware before being told in Thursday’s press conference.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, speaking after an “underwhelming” first practice and having complained of being in “no man’s land” throughout the season so far, was decidedly unimpressed with their running. “We’re not where we want to be,” he said.

“We’re lacking pace. We’re still not getting the tyres in the optimum window. It’s something we haven’t quite understood.”

World champion Max Verstappen clocked the fastest time in final practice for the French Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver, who heads the title standings, finished three tenths clear of Carlos Sainz, with his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc third.

Sainz will start Sunday’s race from the back of the field, penalised for taking on a number of unallocated engine parts.

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, one second adrift of Verstappen. The seven-time world champion trialled a new rear wing in the final running before qualifying.

But the Mercedes man, who will on Sunday become just the sixth driver in Formula One history to compete in his 300th race, does not appear to be in contention for pole position.

George Russell finished sixth, one place behind Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and two tenths down on Hamilton in the other Mercedes.

Verstappen, 38 points clear of Leclerc, looks the driver to beat after lapping the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet 0.354 seconds clear of Sainz.

Leclerc complained about the durability of his tyres, and also spun at Turn 12 after losing control of his Ferrari.

Elsewhere, Fernando Alonso finished seventh for Alpine, with Alex Albon an encouraging eighth for Williams.

McLaren have brought more upgrades to this track than at any other stage of the season and Lando Norris took ninth with team-mate Daniel Ricciardo 11th.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel finished 20th and last for his struggling Aston Martin team.

Qualifying starts at 4pm local time (3pm UK).

Michael Schumacher’s family have been accused of telling “lies” about the F1 legend’s health, by the German’s former manager Willi Weber.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has not been seen publicly since suffering a near-fatal brain injury while skiing in December 2013 in Meribel, France.

His wife Corinna has insisted on protecting Schumacher’s privacy in the eight-and-a-half years since, with his medical condition shrouded in secrecy as he continues to recover at home in Switzerland.

Yet Weber, speaking to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport this week, claims he has not been allowed to see the 53-year-old and has been “kept out” the loop by Corinna.

“I tried hundreds of times to contact Corinna and she didn’t answer,” Weber, 80, said.

Ahead of the French Grand Prix weekend, F1 driver Sebastian Vettel got behind the wheel of a 1922 Bamford & Martin TT1 car.

Fresh from piloting a 30-year-old ex-Nigel Mansell Williams FW14B around Silverstone ahead of the British GP, the German star has now got his hands on a 100-year-old car – affectionately known as ‘Green Pea’.

Max Verstappen remains on top of the drivers’ standings, though his lead has diminished slightly after Charles Leclerc’s victory in Austria. How Ferrari would love to close the gap again tomorrow.

1. Max Verstappen – 208 points

2. Charles Leclerc – 170 points

3. Sergio Perez – 151 points

4. Carlos Sainz – 133 points

5. George Russell – 128 points

6. Lewis Hamilton – 109 points

7. Lando Norris – 64 points

8. Esteban Ocon – 52 points

9. Valtteri Bottas – 46 points

10. Fernando Alonso – 29 points

11. Kevin Magnussen – 22 points

12. Daniel Ricciardo -17 points

13. Pierre Gasly – 16 points

14. Sebastian Vettel -15 points

15. Mick Schumacher – 12 points

16. Yuki Tsunoda – 11 points

17. Guanyu Zhou – 5 points

18. Alex Albon – 3 points

19. Lance Stroll – 3 points

20. Nicholas Latifi – 0 points

21. Nico Hulkenberg – 0 points

• Free Practice 3: Midday
• Qualifying: 3pm

How can I watch it online and on TV?

The entire race schedule will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 with qualifying and the race live on Sky Sports Main Event too. Highlights will be aired of qualifying and the race on Saturday and Sunday respectively on Channel 4 at 6:30pm (BST).

Describing the captivating wheel-to-wheel racing at Silverstone two weeks ago as “reminiscent of the karting days”, Lewis Hamilton was under no illusions: the encouraging impact of this year’s new regulations in Formula One were clear for all to see.

Much was made in the off-season of the modifications. The aerodynamic changes – with ground effect, altered rear wings and a new front-wing shape – should in theory make cars easier to follow, resulting in tighter racing, while a move from 13in- to 18in-rim tyres means the car’s overall design is vastly changed too.

And yet it wasn’t until race 10 of a 22-race calendar, at the British Grand Prix, when these changes were seen in such mesmeric style. Lap 45 of 52 saw Hamilton’s battle with Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc enthralled a worldwide audience in thrilling fashion, not to mention the thousands going barmy in the grandstands. “Through goes Hamilton!” commentator David Croft roared, as the Mercedes pounced for a memorable double overtake approaching the now aptly named Hamilton Straight.

Lewis Hamilton has been hailed as a Formula One legend by Fernando Alonso on the eve of his 300th Grand Prix.

Hamilton will bring up his triple ton at Sunday’s French Grand Prix at the Circuit Paul Ricard, becoming only the sixth driver in the sport’s history to reach the landmark figure.

The Mercedes man started his career alongside Alonso at McLaren in 2007 before going on to take a record-equalling seven world championships.

Hamilton will join Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen, Michael Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button in the exclusive 300 club.

Sebastian Vettel has revealed he is talking to Aston Martin about staying with them next season and laughed off speculation he might move to McLaren.

The four-time world champion is out of contract at the end of 2022 season with his future – and whether he will even stay in the sport – much discussed.

Asked ahead of this weekend’s French Grand Prix at Le Castellet about his plans, Vettel joked he was racing this weekend and the next one.

“Obviously I’ve said that at some point we’ll start to talk, and I’m talking to the team,” he said.