Final Practice in Azerbaijan: Verstappen Leads the Pack in FP3
Max Verstappen topped the charts in the final practice session of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, edging out George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. With qualifying looming, the stage is set for a competitive battle on Baku's challenging street circuit.
As the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend unfolds in Baku, the final practice session has set the stage for an intriguing qualifying showdown. Max Verstappen emerged as the fastest in FP3, clocking in a time of 1:43.922, narrowly beating George Russell by 0.099 seconds, with Lewis Hamilton trailing closely at 0.111 seconds behind. It seems like a Mercedes versus Red Bull affair might be on the cards for the pole position.
Russell had previously dominated the first two practice sessions for Mercedes, making Verstappen's top spot in FP3 a notable shift in momentum. Meanwhile, Lance Stroll's encounter with the unforgiving Baku walls added to Aston Martin's woes, as both their cars are already set to start from the back of the grid due to penalties for exceeding power unit components.
Qualifying promises to be an exciting affair, with multiple teams in the mix. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Lando Norris are expected to be in the hunt, despite McLaren's somewhat subdued form earlier in the weekend. Oscar Piastri's improving pace is also worth watching, as is Pierre Gasly's potential to surprise, reminiscent of his strong performance at Monza.
Red Bull might employ strategic towing, possibly asking Isack Hadjar to help Verstappen secure pole if both make it to Q3. Hadjar, still shaking off the rust from a layoff, has shown promise but remains outside the front rows. Nonetheless, his potential role in qualifying could be pivotal for Red Bull's first win of the season.
Aston Martin's troubles continue as Alonso faces additional penalties, and Stroll's FP3 mishap leaves them with a mountain to climb. As qualifying approaches, the infamous Baku street circuit, with its narrow turns and potential for yellow flags, promises to test the drivers' limits. Last year's session was a marathon, peppered with red flags, and while a repeat isn't guaranteed, the possibility remains.
The battle for Q3 spots will be fierce, with Alpine showing strength, Williams improving, and Audi experimenting with towing strategies. Racing Bulls have struggled with traffic, but surprises could be in store. As FP3 concludes, Verstappen's performance prevents Russell from a clean sweep of practices, setting the stage for a thrilling qualifying session.
With the chequered flag down on FP3, attention now shifts to qualifying, where teams will jostle for the best starting positions on this challenging street circuit. Whether Mercedes can maintain their edge or Red Bull can finally break through remains to be seen.