Kimi Antonelli is leading on Saturday morning.
Clear. Dry. Air +16°C, track +36…38°C
Friday's practice sessions went surprisingly smoothly – no wrecked cars, no burning grass, as was the case last year. But that doesn't mean there were no problems – almost everyone had some.
At McLaren, the problems fell to the reigning champion – Lando Norris lost a lot of time on Friday and couldn't immediately head out on Saturday morning – his car was having its battery changed, as the previous one, installed on Friday and completely new, failed due to a software glitch. Lando received his third battery this year – out of the three allowed for the season.
The drivers started the session with a series of laps on Medium and Soft tires, then gradually switched to Soft, focusing on preparation for qualifying – a good starting position in Suzuka is very important.
Perez locked up his tires before the final chicane and went off into the gravel but was able to continue. While warming up his tires, Piastri impeded Hülkenberg – the stewards reviewed this incident after the session and issued a warning to Oscar. Berman spun out at the exit of Turn 14 – and he headed to the pits for a check, then re-emerged. Lawson and Leclerc went off the track without consequences for their cars.
The best time was set by last Grand Prix winner Kimi Antonelli, who completed a lap in 1:29.362.
Third part of the free practice
Driver
Team
Time
Difference
Laps
1. K. Antonelli
Mercedes
1:29.362
18
2. D. Russell
Mercedes
1:29.616
+0.254
18
3. C. Leclerc
Ferrari
1:30.229
+0.867
20
4. O. Piastri
McLaren
1:30.364
+1.002
19
5. L. Hamilton
Ferrari
1:30.383
+1.021
23
6. L. Norris
McLaren
1:30.600
+1.238
13
7. N. Hülkenberg
Audi
1:30.658
+1.296
21
8. M. Verstappen
Red Bull
1:30.910
+1.548
22
9. G. Bortoleto
Audi
1:31.000
+1.638
21
10. P. Gasly
Alpine
1:31.082
+1.720
20
11. A. Hadjar
Red Bull
1:31.094
+1.732
21
12. L. Lawson
Racing Bulls
1:31.097
+1.735
21
13. A. Lindblad
Racing Bulls
1:31.288
+1.926
17
14. E. Ocon
Haas
1:31.326
+1.964
22
15. O. Berman
Haas
1:31.558
+2.196
18
16. A. Albon
Williams
1:31.733
+2.371
20
17. F. Colapinto
Alpine
1:31.759
+2.397
25
18. C. Sainz
Williams
1:31.829
+2.467
26
19. V. Bottas
Cadillac
1:32.503
+3.141
20
20. S. Perez
Cadillac
1:32.540
+3.178
18
21. L. Stroll
Aston Martin
1:33.485
+4.123
19
22. F. Alonso
Aston Martin
1:33.529
+4.167
14
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