Canadian Grand Prix: FP3 Report
Lando Norris clocked the fastest time in the final practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix, setting a benchmark of 1:11.799. This marked a significant turnaround for McLaren after a disappointing Friday, where Norris described the performance as the team’s "worst of the year."
Second-place went to Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton following closely in third and fourth, respectively. Despite the promising pace, championship leader Oscar Piastri faced challenges, puncturing his right rear tire after hitting the wall at the final corner, resulting in a brief red flag to clear debris. Piastri ultimately finished eighth, seven tenths behind Norris.
Max Verstappen secured the fifth fastest time, while Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin was the only car to come within half a second of Norris. The session saw some drama as well; Nico Hulkenberg spun at the final chicane but managed to avoid a major incident, whereas Oliver Bearman’s Haas did make contact at the same point later in the session.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh, with Piastri sandwiched between him and the Williams duo of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, who rounded out the top ten. Although Leclerc had set an early pace on medium tires, all drivers opted for Pirelli’s softest compound (C6) in FP3 for their best laps.
Isack Hadjar’s late-session spin placed him eleventh, ahead of Pierre Gasly and teammate Liam Lawson, while Yuki Tsunoda struggled to find pace, finishing last and facing an investigation for a red flag infringement.
The qualifying session is anticipated to be competitive, particularly for Piastri, as he aims to improve from the earlier setback.
FP3 Top Results
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:11.799
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
As the teams gear up for qualifying, the momentum appears to favor Norris, with McLaren looking to capitalize on their improved performance.
