Leclerc tops British GP practice in a final session packed with red flag drama, tight margins, and a fierce battle between Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull. Charles Leclerc put in a late flyer to edge out Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris in what turned out to be a wildly unpredictable Free Practice 3 at Silverstone.
Tight Margins and Intense Pacing at Silverstone
The session began under clear skies, with Lewis Hamilton setting an early benchmark for Ferrari. His 1:26.529 was soon eclipsed by teammate Leclerc, who edged ahead by just 0.035 seconds.
Verstappen quickly joined the fray, splitting the two Ferraris with a time just 0.005 seconds off the top. McLaren initially lagged behind, but as fuel loads lightened, Piastri and Norris turned up the heat.
Leclerc Finds the Edge in Final Minutes
As the final ten minutes approached, Norris went fastest with a 1:25.606, only to be beaten moments later by Piastri’s 1:25.566. Verstappen’s late effort nearly took the top spot but he was 0.019 seconds shy.
Then came Leclerc’s response. On fresh Softs, he delivered a brilliant 1:25.498, securing the fastest lap of the session. It was a critical show of pace ahead of qualifying.
Red Flags Disrupt Final Practice Flow
The session was twice halted due to red flags. First, Oliver Bearman’s Haas lost part of its floor, bringing out a red flag with just minutes remaining.
Soon after the session resumed, Gabriel Bortoleto spun his Kick Sauber at the iconic Maggotts/Becketts complex, breaking his suspension and bringing the session to an early end.
Standout Performances Beyond the Top Four
Yuki Tsunoda impressed in the second Red Bull, placing fifth with a 1:26.104. Bearman recovered from his incident to post the sixth-fastest time, an impressive feat for the rookie.
Williams’ Alex Albon, Mercedes’ George Russell, and the Racing Bulls duo of Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson rounded out the top ten.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s pace was promising but his final run was cut short by the first red flag. He settled for P11, matching Carlos Sainz’s time down to the thousandth.
Summary
As Leclerc tops British GP practice, the signs point toward a thrilling qualifying battle ahead. With just over a tenth separating the top four and two red flags interrupting momentum, this Silverstone showdown is heating up fast.
Disclaimer: All session data and driver performance details are based on official FIA timing and may be subject to updates.
| Pos | Driver | Car |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren |
| 5 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull |
| 6 | Oliver Bearman | Haas |
| 7 | Alexander Albon | Williams |
| 8 | George Russell | Mercedes |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | RB |
| 10 | Liam Lawson | RB |
| 11 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari |
| 12 | Carlos Sainz | Williams |
| 13 | Esteban Ocon | Haas |
| 14 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes |
| 15 | Nico Hülkenberg | Sauber |
| 16 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber |
| 17 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |
| 18 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine |
| 19 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
| 20 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine |
