Verstappen tops FP3 at Brazilian Grand Prix, Antonelli close behind
Max Verstappen set the fastest lap in the final free-practice session in São Paulo, with rookie Kimi Antonelli just 0.025 seconds slower, while Lewis Hamilton dealt with a power-unit problem.
Max Verstappen recorded the quickest time in Free Practice 3 at the Brazilian Grand Prix, completing a lap in 1:11.622 on soft tyres. Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli was second, 0.025 seconds behind, after posting a 1:11.647 in the same tyre compound. Lando Norris moved into third for McLaren, 0.131 seconds off Verstappen's pace, followed by George Russell and Charles Leclerc, keeping the top four teams within a 0.274-second spread.
The session was marked by a looming rain threat, prompting drivers to focus on the medium compound early on. Antonelli had led the medium-tyre running with a 1:12.209, while Verstappen reported a steering-wheel issue that made the wheel feel “heavy to the right”. Hamilton, who experienced “strange vibrations” and “big engine braking” from his new power unit, was limited to an eighth-place finish on medium tyres and did not set a soft-tyre time.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton later retired to the garage after the issue escalated, describing the problem as causing “smoke in the cockpit” and a concerning sound. Other notable incidents included Nico Hulkenberg’s Audi suffering a terminal failure in FP1, preventing his participation in the second session, and Lance Stroll encountering a suspected ERS problem that ended his run.
Midfield action saw Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad and teammate Liam Lawson close to each other, with Lawson posting the fastest sector three time. Rookie Rafael Camara finished 15th, ahead of teammate Oliver Bearman, while Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto were among the slower midfield drivers.
Overall, the practice session highlighted strong performance from the leading teams and highlighted technical issues for Hamilton and several other drivers ahead of qualifying.