Final Practice Recap: Antonelli Leads as Hamilton's Crash Raises Questions
Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in the final practice session at Spa, while Lewis Hamilton's crash casts doubt on Ferrari's qualifying readiness. Mercedes and Red Bull continue to vie for dominance, with Verstappen staying in contention.
The final practice session for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps saw some intriguing developments. Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets, showcasing his impressive pace once again. However, Lewis Hamilton's late crash left Ferrari with a rebuilding task ahead of qualifying.
Mercedes have dominated Grand Prix poles this season, but Antonelli remains the key player to beat. His speed was evident, though a few wobbles indicated that mastering Spa's demanding circuit is no simple task. Max Verstappen is also in the mix for Red Bull, although his radio messages suggested a less-than-perfect setup during FP3.
The Ferrari drivers, including Hamilton, who needs a new rear wing after his incident, will look to make an impact. McLaren's Lando Norris was second fastest, but his 10-place grid penalty means he won't be a pole contender. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri needs to close the gap to Norris.
As qualifying approaches, the weather remains a wildcard. The session is expected to be dry, but Spa's microclimate is notoriously unpredictable. Q1 kicks off at 16:00 local time, with the teams and drivers preparing for what promises to be an exciting showdown.
Verstappen, ever a contender, was not entirely content with his car's performance in FP3, but Red Bull are known for their late-session tweaks. He was just 0.148 seconds behind Antonelli, suggesting that pole is within reach if the RB22 can be fine-tuned.
Antonelli's challenge is to convert his practice pace into a pole position. With Mercedes' George Russell improving but still trailing Antonelli, the Italian is well-placed to continue his strong season.
Elsewhere, Racing Bulls have been consistent in the midfield, with Lindblad benefiting from recent upgrades. The team opted to use only one set of upgrades, giving them to Lindblad based on his Silverstone performance.
As for grid penalties, Norris and Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar will start further back due to new power unit parts. The decision to take penalties here is strategic, given Spa's overtaking opportunities.
With the final practice complete, all eyes turn to qualifying. Antonelli is the man to beat, but with other drivers eager to disrupt his momentum, the session is sure to deliver. Stay tuned as the fight for pole at Spa unfolds.