Verstappen pips Antonelli to top spot in São Paulo FP3

Max Verstappen edged Kimi Antonelli by 0.025 seconds to lead final practice for the São Paulo Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton restricted to seven laps by a mechanical problem at Ferrari. The top five were separated by less than three tenths as the field prepared for qualifying at Interlagos.

Verstappen takes the lead on soft tyres

The prospect of rain sent drivers onto the track early. Nico Hülkenberg was among those eager to make up for lost running: an issue in FP1 had kept the Audi driver out of the second practice session, leaving this as his first track time of the weekend.

The field ran medium tyres through the opening part of the session. Antonelli set the pace with a 1:12.209, 0.075 seconds ahead of Verstappen, despite reporting a steering-wheel problem. Charles Leclerc was third, 0.230 seconds off the benchmark, with George Russell, Liam Lawson and Oscar Piastri also within half a second of Antonelli.

On soft tyres, Verstappen found the quickest lap: 1:11.622. Antonelli followed just 0.025 seconds behind, while Lando Norris placed third, 0.131 seconds off the Red Bull. Russell and Leclerc completed the top five, and all four leading teams were represented within 0.274 seconds of the fastest time. The close order sets up a tight fight in qualifying; Antonelli had also led an earlier Brazilian GP practice session.

Hamilton’s Ferrari problem cuts his running short

Hamilton reported abnormal vibration from the powertrain and unusual engine braking before the problem worsened. Smoke appeared in the cockpit, and Ferrari kept him in the garage. He completed no soft-tyre run and finished 12th, having managed only seven laps.

The disruption came as teams faced a forecast risk of rain at the São Paulo GP, prompting the rush to get laps in early. Lance Stroll also ended the session early: a suspected ERS problem stopped his Aston Martin after seven laps, leaving him last.

Racing Bulls placed Arvid Lindblad seventh and Lawson eighth, while Isack Hadjar was ninth, 0.591 seconds behind Verstappen. Hülkenberg finished 13th. Debutant Rafael Câmara took 15th, 0.128 seconds ahead of Haas team-mate Oliver Bearman. The final practice classification leaves little margin at the front before qualifying, while Ferrari will need to address Hamilton’s issue after a curtailed session.