Max Verstappen led the final practice session for the Brazilian Grand Prix, but there was little to choose between him and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The pair were separated by just two hundredths of a second after their qualifying simulations on soft tyres. But Verstappen, who is one of five drivers who will take a grid penalty this weekend, was frustrated by continued problems with his steering wheel.Lando Norris produced another competitive time in his McLaren, ending the session a tenth of a second behind Antonelli. George Russell, another driver with a grid penalty, was fourth fastest in the other Mercedes.
Both Ferrari drivers will also serve grid penalties this weekend. Charles Leclerc was fifth fastest but Lewis Hamilton did not do a run on soft tyres after experiencing trouble with his Ferrari. He peeled into the pits with smoke billowing from the rear of the car and the cockpit with almost half of the session left to run.
Isack Hadjar did not look comfortable in his Red Bull, reporting it was “so hard to drive” early in the session. He lost almost four tenths of a second to his team mate in the middle of the lap and both Racing Bulls drivers beat his time, Arvid Lindblad taking seventh behind Oscar Piastri.
Gabriel Bortoleto continued to show good pace in the Audi, setting the 10th fastest time. His team mate Nico Hulkenberg completed his first laps of the weekend on his way to 13th place.
New Haas driver Rafael Camara impressed by setting the 15th fastest time, lapping just under a tenth of a second faster than Oliver Bearman.
Aston Martin’s reliability woes continued. Lance Stroll pitted after seven laps due to a suspected problem with his energy recovery system.
He ended the session at the bottom of the times behind the two Cadillac drivers. Sergio Perez, the fifth driver to take a grid penalty, is under investigation for throwing an item out of his car during the session. He told his team it was part of the radio when asked what it was.
The session ran in dry conditions. However as it came to an end dark clouds were beginning to gather, bringing a threat of rain ahead of qualifying.
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2026 Brazilian Grand Prix third practice result
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