Antonelli leads final Sepang practice ahead of Verstappen
Kimi Antonelli led final practice at Sepang ahead of Max Verstappen, giving Mercedes an encouraging result before qualifying, though team-mate George Russell was fourth.
Antonelli set a 1:36.302 in the final practice session at Sepang, putting him ahead of Verstappen’s 1:36.580. Isack Hadjar was third on 1:36.860, with George Russell fourth. Russell was about six tenths slower than his Mercedes team-mate, so Antonelli’s pace was not matched across the team.
Lando Norris finished seventh after setting his best lap on medium tyres. His McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri was eighth, about two tenths behind him. The session was briefly stopped after carbon debris came loose from Oliver Bearman’s front-right brake duct. A marshal cleared it from Turn 10, and running resumed after roughly five minutes.
Antonelli’s fastest lap gives Mercedes a strong result heading into qualifying, but the gap to Russell leaves the team’s pace across both cars an open question.
Sources 01
- SOURCEKimi Antonelli strikes back in FP3 as Mercedes overcome major concernsRacingNews365 English · Source date as found: 2026-10-03
Source context
RacingNews365’s 3 October FP3 report gives Russell’s gap as a rounded six tenths, without an exact lap time.
Claims and supporting evidence 5
This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. The completed FP3 session at Sepang, as reported by RacingNews365. FP3, reported on 3 October 2026. These are times and positions from one supplied publication; the linked full-results page was not supplied.
This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. The reported FP3 order and the difference between the Mercedes drivers. FP3, reported on 3 October 2026. Six tenths is the article's rounded comparison; Russell's precise lap time is not given in the supplied article.
This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. The two McLaren drivers' reported FP3 positions and tyre context. FP3, before qualifying. The account does not establish how either driver would perform in qualifying.
This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. An interruption during the reported FP3 session. During FP3, with 35 minutes remaining. The cause and duration are reported by RacingNews365; no separately read race-control record was supplied.
This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. The limits of interpreting Mercedes' FP3 result. FP3 only; not subsequent qualifying or race performance. This limits the article's 'overcome major concerns' framing rather than disproving that Mercedes improved.
Corrections and updates to this story
Nederlandse vertaling gecorrigeerd: de tijdsachterstand was die van Russell op Antonelli.
This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.