In Baku we return to the track after the first two free tests for the last session of Formula 1 Before qualifying: Lando Norris set the pace in FP3. After his issues in FP2, the Briton is a contender for pole position this afternoon. Verstappen and Piastri, who finished second and third today, certainly won't be sitting idly by.
In a windy Baku, we return to the track for FP3
There was a lot of wind and the action on the track was slow to get going, with many drivers still out of their cars in the opening minutes of the session. After eight minutes, the first drivers took to the track, with Hadjar immediately complaining about the strong wind and how it was moving him to the right on the straight.
Overnight rain had washed the track clean, and many teams were waiting for the competition to apply the rubber, prompting them to wait. McLaren took to the track, followed by everyone else a few minutes later. After almost 20 minutes of the session starting, we finally start shooting.. The times, due to the aforementioned weather conditions, remain very high, with Bearman first, followed by Tsunoda and Albon. The Ferraris, like everyone else, are struggling to find a good feeling, with both Hamilton and Leclerc are struggling to find grip in the last corner before the long straight.
In Baku, the turning point of this session
Halfway through the session it is Leclerc setting the pace, with a time that is still more than a second slower than yesterday's best. Verstappen, Piastri, Sainz, Albon, Hamilton, Hadjar, and Norris follow.
The pilots begin to search the limit in view of the Qualifying. Leclerc touches the wall with the left rear and asks the pit wall to check the suspension and look for punctures. Lawson, however, suffers a dangerous spin at the final corner. Verstappen significantly improves his best time and with 15 minutes to go, he has a 6-tenths advantage over the two Ferraris in second and third place. Hamilton opted for a set-up change to try something different.
Papaya Lightning in Baku with just under 10 minutes to go in FP3, with Lando Norris posting an impressive 1.41.223. Meanwhile, Albon climbed to third place, as did the Mercedes, who moved ahead of the Ferraris. Oscar Piastri is missing from the roll call, who, due to traffic and his own mistakes, has not yet set a good time. The championship leader relaunches and moves up to second place, but is immediately overtaken by Verstappen, who seems to be comfortable on the Azerbaijani circuit. As the drivers try to find the perfect slipstream, everyone is on track and Hamilton improves and moves up to fourth place, while Leclerc makes mistakes and fails to improve.
The final free practice session thus concluded with Norris forcefully returning to the top spot after his mistake in FP2, followed by Verstappen, Piastri, Hamilton, Antonelli, Russell, Albon, Bearman, Lawson, and Leclerc completing the top 10. Qualifying now kicks off at 14:00 PM.
