Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – Mercedes delivered a major surprise during the final practice session of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, with rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli topping the FP3 timesheets at the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
The young Italian driver produced an impressive lap time of 1:45.990, beating Lando Norris by just 0.139 seconds and Max Verstappen by 0.148 seconds in a tightly contested session.
Antonelli’s performance highlights how competitive the fight for pole position could be, with Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull Racing, and Ferrari all showing strong pace ahead of qualifying.
Top 10 FP3 Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps
| Position | Driver | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:45.990 |
| 2 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.139 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.148 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.367 |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.392 |
| 6 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.760 |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.795 |
| 8 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | +0.934 |
| 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | +1.059 |
| 10 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull Racing | +1.106 |
Antonelli Gives Mercedes a Major Boost
Kimi Antonelli became the biggest headline of FP3 after delivering a stunning performance around one of Formula 1’s most demanding circuits.
The Mercedes rookie looked extremely confident through Spa’s high-speed corners, where aerodynamic efficiency, braking precision, and driver commitment are crucial. His ability to maximize performance through sections like Eau Rouge and Raidillon showed impressive maturity for a young driver.
His teammate George Russell also confirmed Mercedes’ strong pace by finishing fourth, only 0.367 seconds away from the fastest lap.
The Mercedes W16 appears to have found a better balance between straight-line speed and cornering performance — an area that has troubled the team in recent seasons.
However, the biggest question remains whether Mercedes can maintain this advantage during qualifying, where Red Bull and McLaren often find extra performance when conditions become more competitive.
Norris Keeps McLaren in the Pole Fight
Although he missed out on the top spot, Lando Norris once again showed that McLaren remains one of the strongest packages at Spa-Francorchamps.
The British driver was only 0.139 seconds behind Antonelli, proving the MCL39 has excellent one-lap performance.
However, teammate Oscar Piastri experienced a more difficult session, finishing seventh with a gap of 0.795 seconds.
The difference between the two McLaren drivers suggests the team may still be working to find the ideal setup balance before qualifying.
Verstappen Remains a Serious Threat
Max Verstappen may have finished third, but the tiny gap to the leaders means Red Bull Racing remains a major contender for pole position.
The Dutch driver was only 0.148 seconds slower than Antonelli, keeping him firmly within striking distance.
Spa-Francorchamps has historically been a strong circuit for Verstappen, thanks to Red Bull’s aerodynamic efficiency and his exceptional ability to attack high-speed corners.
Although Red Bull did not top FP3, Verstappen remains one of the favorites heading into qualifying.
Ferrari Shows Positive Signs at Spa
Ferrari showed encouraging progress during FP3, with Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth and Charles Leclerc sixth.
Hamilton’s performance was particularly positive, as the seven-time world champion appeared more comfortable with the Ferrari package around Spa’s fast and technical sections.
However, Ferrari still needs to find additional performance if they want to challenge Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull for the front row.
Audi Makes a Statement in FP3
One of the biggest surprises of the session came from Audi.
Nico Hulkenberg finished eighth, while rookie Gabriel Bortoleto secured ninth place, putting both Audi cars inside the top 10.
The result shows Audi’s continued progress as the team prepares for its full factory entry into Formula 1. Their improving performance suggests they could become a stronger force in the future.
FP3 Analysis: Spa Sets Up a Thrilling Qualifying Battle
The biggest takeaway from FP3 is just how close the fight at the front has become.
The top three drivers were separated by less than two tenths of a second, meaning qualifying could come down to the smallest details.
Several factors could decide pole position:
- Tire preparation on the final flying lap
- Changing wind conditions around Spa’s long straights
- Slipstream strategy
- Driver confidence through Eau Rouge and Raidillon
Mercedes currently holds the momentum after Antonelli’s impressive performance, but McLaren and Red Bull are right behind.
Ferrari is also close enough to fight for the front rows if they can unlock more pace before qualifying.
Kimi Antonelli may have delivered the biggest surprise of the weekend so far, but at Spa-Francorchamps, the battle for pole position is far from over.
