The site was inspected and the session restarted after a 15-minute delay but officials who had stayed at the location to monitor the situation saw the cover moving as cars passed over it when the session resumed and the red flag was thrown again.
Shortly before the second red flag, Leclerc’s Ferrari stopped on track with what appeared to be a gearbox problem.
The delays and disruption meant a sense of the competitive picture was only partially formed, especially as there was no time for the race simulations runs that normally take place in the final minutes of the session.
For what it’s worth, Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg was fourth fastest, ahead of the Racing Bulls of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson.
Mercedes’ George Russell was seventh fastest, with Williams’ Alex Albon, Verstappen and Hamilton completing the top 10.
