Lando Norris topped the time sheets within the ultimate hour of observe on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix, placing only one thousandth of a second between himself and Kimi Antonelli.
Lando Norris barely bested Kimi Antonelli in FP3 in Mexico Metropolis within the ultimate observe session earlier than qualifying. Antonelli was second quickest, with Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen rounding out the highest 5.
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FP3 because it occurred
In a shock mid-weekend driver change, Ryō Hirakawa took to the observe in Esteban Ocon’s Haas, set to exchange the Frenchman for the remainder of the Mexico Metropolis GP weekend. The rationale for the choice was unclear, however follows hypothesis of a tense environment within the staff after Haas didn’t renew Ocon’s contract for 2027 in favour of Rafael Camara. Hirakawa took half in FP1 this weekend as a part of the rookie observe session, so already had some observe time below his belt in preparation for qualifying later within the day.
Hirakawa was first out, operating some observe procedures while the observe was quiet. He was joined by Gabriel Bortoleto who complained of an engine subject earlier than heading again to the pitlane with smoke coming from the again of his Audi.
Fernando Alonso went off observe at Flip 2 with an engine drawback, bringing out a quick yellow flag. There was a mix of sentimental and medium tyres being run within the first quarter of the session, and Pierre Gasly was quickest to this point with a 1:19.304 earlier than Antonelli put in a 1:18.754.
Just a few different drivers appeared to be struggling to maintain their automobiles on observe, specifically Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris each exploring the run-off areas. Regardless of his tour on the earlier lap, Leclerc went on to prime Antonelli’s time by three hundredths of a second. Leclerc may very well be a possible thorn in Antonelli’s aspect if the Mercedes driver desires a pole and a win on the weekend he’s set to grow to be champion, as Ferrari appear to be the automotive to beat in Mexico.
half-hour down, half-hour to go
On the midway level of FP3, it was the opposite Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton with the quickest time of a 1:18.162. Sergio Perez had not set a time, and an replace from Cadillac strongly prompt the Mexican driver wouldn’t be again out on observe because the staff wanted to make a change to his energy unit. Gabriel Bortoleto was in the identical boat; after his technical subject at first of the session, Audi elected to alter his energy unit and put together the automotive for in a while.
The highest groups have been but to begin their delicate tyre runs to get some extra consultant occasions for qualifying. George Russell was one of many first to exit for the ultimate flying laps. The British driver had struggled to make a lot of an impression so far within the session, solely going quickest by just a few hundredths from the Ferrari’s medium tyre lap and complaining of an absence of grip in his rears.
Mclaren appeared to be going nicely, each Norris and Piastri inside two tenths of Kimi Antonelli. Norris already confirmed a glimpse of tempo in FP2 the place he completed second quickest, however Piastri had lagged behind in tenth. Verstappen, rounding out the highest 5 with two minutes to go, was on the radio complaining about his brakes not working.
Norris pulled a 1:17.600 out of the bag in his ultimate run, 0.001 seconds quicker than his championship successor to-be and taking the highest spot for the session.
READ MORE: F1 2026 Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix – FP3 Outcomes
