Max Verstappen finally topped a practice session in the 2026 Formula 1 season, leading FP3 for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver set a best time of 1m43.922s, edging out George Russell of Mercedes by 0.099s. This marks the first time Verstappen has ended FP3 as the fastest this year.
The session was fiercely competitive from the start. Russell, who also topped FP2, initially set the benchmark with a six-tenths advantage over his Mercedes teammate, Kimi Antonelli. However, Verstappen gradually closed the gap. After being over a second off on his first soft-tyre run, he split the Mercedes, then closed to within a tenth. Finally, with a slipstream assist from Charles Leclerc, Verstappen set the session's best time.
Verstappen could have gone even faster before the chequered flag, but on his 11th lap on the same set of softs, he locked up and ran wide at Turn 15, his second such incident of the session. Nevertheless, his position was secure. Russell himself had a scare after a lock-up at Turn 7, nearly hitting the barrier, but held on to second.
Lewis Hamilton completed the top three. The Ferrari driver used a slipstream from three cars on the main straight to jump to third at the end of the session. Earlier, he spent time in the garage while the team inspected his front-left brake. Championship leader Antonelli had to settle for fourth, 0.351s down. Leclerc followed in fifth, with Pierre Gasly surprising in sixth for Alpine.
McLaren were again not in contention. Oscar Piastri complained of low confidence into Turn 1 but was the faster McLaren in seventh, 0.15s ahead of Lando Norris. Isack Hadjar was ninth, 1.2s off Verstappen, while Franco Colapinto made it two Alpines in the top 10, just ahead of Carlos Sainz's Williams.
The midfield was particularly congested. Just half a second covered 10th to 17th, with Cadillac's Sergio Perez in 16th, 2.082s off the pace. Alex Albon and both Racing Bulls drivers were in the bottom six. Fernando Alonso showed mild encouragement in 20th, 2.590s down. His teammate, Lance Stroll, had the only notable incident when he clipped the pitwall at Turn 1. He initially thought he had a puncture but was told to stop the car and pulled into the runoff beyond Turn 4.
This FP3 result signals a potential Red Bull revival ahead of qualifying. Verstappen has finally found his rhythm, while Mercedes remain strong with Russell and Antonelli. Ferrari and McLaren need to find extra pace if they want to challenge at the front. Qualifying will be the true test on the demanding Baku street circuit.
Baca Juga
Max Verstappen akhirnya memuncaki FP3 F1 Azerbaijan 2026, ungguli George Russell. Simak hasil lengkap dan analisis persaingan jelang kualifikasi.
Max Verstappen menjadi tercepat di FP3 F1 Azerbaijan 2026, mengalahkan George Russell. Simak hasil lengkap dan analisis persaingan menuju kualifikasi.
Max Verstappen tercepat di FP3 F1 Azerbaijan 2026, ungguli George Russell dan Lewis Hamilton. Simak hasil lengkap dan analisis jelang kualifikasi.
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