Max Verstappen delivered a late statement in the final practice session at the 2026 Formula 1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, snatching the top spot by just 0.025 seconds from Mercedes’ rising star Kimi Antonelli. The Red Bull driver’s 1:11.622 on soft tyres edged Antonelli’s 1:11.647, with McLaren’s Lando Norris third at 1:11.753. The session at Interlagos underscored how razor-thin the margins remain among the top teams heading into qualifying.
The hour-long FP3 unfolded under dry conditions after a competitive Friday that saw Antonelli dominate FP2 and Norris lead FP1. Teams focused on low-fuel qualifying simulations on the soft compound once the track rubbered in. Verstappen’s best came after the field switched to the softest rubber, with sector times showing Norris strong in the first sector, Antonelli in the second, and Verstappen sealing it in the third. George Russell slotted into fourth for Mercedes, Charles Leclerc fifth for Ferrari, and Oscar Piastri sixth in the other McLaren. The top four teams sat within 0.274 seconds of each other, a snapshot of the intense competition that has defined the 2026 season.
**FULL FP3 RESULTS FROM INTERLAGOS**
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:11.622
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.025
3. Lando Norris (McLaren) – +0.131
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.184
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.274
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.313
7. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – +0.438
8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – +0.549
9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) – +0.591
10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – +1.022
11. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +1.022
12. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +1.211
13. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – +1.243
14. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – +1.303
15. Rafael Câmara (Haas) – +1.359
16. Oliver Bearman (Haas) – +1.487
17. Alexander Albon (Williams) – +1.525
18. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +1.549
19. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +1.681
20. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – +1.951
21. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – +2.100
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – +3.144
WHY THIS SESSION MATTERS FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE WEEKEND
Verstappen’s pace arrives with significant context. Multiple reports confirmed he faces a grid penalty and is set to start the race from the back after taking a new power unit, a strategic call that prioritizes reliability and performance over the remainder of the season. Even so, topping FP3 sends a clear message that the Red Bull remains a frontrunner when the car is in its optimal window. For a driver already a multi-time champion, this kind of session keeps the pressure on rivals and reminds everyone that race-day recovery from the rear is still very much in his playbook at a track that rewards overtaking and strategic flexibility.
Antonelli’s near-miss continues the impressive form that has marked his breakthrough campaign with Mercedes. The young Italian has looked comfortable extracting performance from the car across different conditions this season, and finishing within a hundredth of a second of Verstappen on softs reinforces that he belongs in the conversation for pole and race wins. Mercedes’ one-two potential with Russell close behind only strengthens their hand for qualifying.
McLaren’s presence in the top three and top six shows the team remains a consistent threat. Norris has been a regular pacesetter throughout the weekend, while Piastri’s solid showing keeps both cars in the mix for strong points. Ferrari’s Leclerc rounded out a competitive top five, but teammate Lewis Hamilton’s session was compromised. A mechanical issue limited him to just seven laps, mostly on mediums, and left his car under inspection. Hamilton finished 12th overall, a result that does little to build confidence ahead of qualifying and the race.
HOME HEROES AND MIDFIELD BATTLES ADD LOCAL FLAVOR
Brazilian drivers Gabriel Bortoleto and Rafael Câmara delivered encouraging performances in front of the home crowd. Bortoleto placed 10th for Audi, while Câmara outpaced Haas teammate Oliver Bearman in 15th. At a circuit that has long celebrated Brazilian talent, these results provide a boost for the local contingent and for the newer manufacturers finding their feet in the current regulations. Racing Bulls also impressed, with Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson locking out seventh and eighth, underlining the strength of the Red Bull junior programme and the competitiveness of the midfield.
Further back, the Cadillacs of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, along with the Aston Martins, struggled for outright pace. Perez was noted for driving in an unsafe condition after ejecting something from the cockpit, adding a minor distraction to an already difficult session for the American team.
LOOKING AHEAD TO QUALIFYING AND THE RACE
The closeness of the timesheets points to a highly competitive qualifying session later on Saturday. With the top teams so tightly packed, track position, tyre preparation, and traffic management will prove decisive. Verstappen’s expected rear-grid start shifts the narrative for the race itself: Interlagos has a history of dramatic recoveries, and a strong race car could still yield a high-points finish or better if strategy and safety cars align.
For the championship picture, every point remains valuable as the season heads into its final stretch. Mercedes and McLaren will look to capitalize on their practice form, while Ferrari needs a clean session to recover momentum. The presence of strong Brazilian performers adds extra energy for the local fans who pack the grandstands at this historic venue.
FP3 confirmed what many suspected after Friday: the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix is shaping up as another high-stakes, closely fought battle. Verstappen showed the pure speed is still there. Antonelli and Norris proved they can match it. Now the focus shifts to who can convert that pace into the best grid position—and who can manage the unique challenges of Interlagos on race day. The stage is set for a memorable weekend in Brazil.
