Canadian GP FP3 results: Lando Norris fastest in FP3, Charles Leclerc Ferrari recovery, Oscar Piastri crash FP3, George Russell Mercedes pace, F1 updates.
The Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve once again delivered a gripping Free Practice 3 session ahead of qualifying at the Canadian Grand Prix. Under the warm Montreal sun, it was Lando Norris fastest in FP3, leading the Canadian GP FP3 resultswith an impressive lap that edged out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell. But it wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone—Oscar Piastri’s crash in FP3 brought some drama to the session.
Before we dive deeper into who looked quick, who struggled, and what it all means for qualifying, let’s walk you through what unfolded in the final practice with a clear breakdown.
Table of Contents
| Sr# | Headings |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Sunny Start to Final Practice in Montreal |
| 2 | Leclerc’s Ferrari Recovery After Friday’s Setbacks |
| 3 | Tyre Talks: Soft vs Medium – The Strategy Puzzle |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri Crashes Out: What Happened? |
| 5 | Nico Hulkenberg Spins Out in Sync |
| 6 | Red Flag Delay: Clean-up and Comeback |
| 7 | George Russell Shows Mercedes Pace |
| 8 | Lando Norris Tops the Timesheets |
| 9 | Max Verstappen Struggles with Brake Issues |
| 10 | Lewis Hamilton Adds Firepower for Mercedes |
| 11 | Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll Impress in Aston Martins |
| 12 | Kimi Antonelli’s Growing Confidence in Mercedes |
| 13 | Oscar Piastri Returns for a Late Push |
| 14 | Key Takeaways from Canadian GP FP3 Results |
| 15 | Looking Ahead: F1 Qualifying Tyre Strategies |
1. A Sunny Start to Final Practice in Montreal
The final practice session of the FIA Formula 1 latest updates kicked off in brilliant sunshine at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, a perfect day for teams to polish their setups before qualifying. With air temperatures climbing, drivers were eager to make the most of the optimal conditions and maximize track time.
2. Leclerc’s Ferrari Recovery After Friday’s Setbacks
Charles Leclerc had a rough Friday. He crashed in FP1 and missed FP2 due to a chassis change. But the Monegasque driver bounced back in style, showing determination and sharp pace. On medium tyres, he laid down an early benchmark of 1m 12.843s, signaling Ferrari’s intent to bounce back strong.
3. Tyre Talks: Soft vs Medium – The Strategy Puzzle
The big question? F1 qualifying tyre strategies. Drivers experimented with Pirelli’s soft (C5) and medium (C4) compounds. Interestingly, there wasn’t much time difference between the two. This close gap left teams scratching their heads—do you go with the safer medium or push the limit with softs?
4. Oscar Piastri Crashes Out: What Happened?
Oscar Piastri’s crash in FP3 came unexpectedly. While pushing hard at the final chicane, he misjudged the exit, tagged the wall, and suffered a puncture. It was a harsh reminder of how unforgiving this track can be—even for the sport’s rising stars.
5. Nico Hulkenberg Spins Out in Sync
Just moments after Piastri’s shunt, Kick Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg had his own moment of misjudgment. He spun at the same corner, lightly clipping the barrier. Though less damaging than Piastri’s incident, it halted his momentum for the session.
6. Red Flag Delay: Clean-up and Comeback
The crash and spin forced a red flag. Marshals cleared debris scattered across the track while Piastri and Hulkenberg watched from the sidelines. Once the green flag waved again, drivers hit the track with urgency to make up for lost time.
7. George Russell Shows Mercedes Pace
George Russell’s Mercedes pace was on full display. On soft tyres, he clocked a lap of 1m 11.950s, grabbing the top spot before Norris’ late flyer. Russell continues to grow in confidence, pushing his Silver Arrow into strong contention for pole.
8. Lando Norris Tops the Timesheets
Lando Norris fastest in FP3 wasn’t just a stat—it was a statement. McLaren looked razor-sharp, and Norris delivered a 1m 11.799s lap that was smooth, controlled, and just fast enough to pip Leclerc. It’s as if he danced with the car through every corner.
9. Max Verstappen Struggles with Brake Issues
While others surged, Max Verstappen’s brake issues kept him from shining. “Still lacking bite in the brake material,” he reported, even though he managed a solid P5. Red Bull will want to solve this before qualifying, or Max might be on the back foot.
10. Lewis Hamilton Adds Firepower for Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton backed up his teammate by sliding into the top four. His effort was on medium tyres, making it even more impressive. Mercedes looked well-balanced, and Hamilton seemed comfortable—a potential sign that he’s ready to strike in qualifying.
11. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll Impress in Aston Martins
Both Aston Martin drivers looked sharp. Fernando Alonso consistently hovered near the top, while Lance Stroll, cheered on by his home crowd, showed promising pace after his FP2 crash. The green cars are in the mix for a solid qualifying.
12. Kimi Antonelli’s Growing Confidence in Mercedes
The young Kimi Antonelli, in his FP3 outing, was no slouch. He slotted into P7, just behind Alonso, showing his growing comfort in top-tier machinery. His raw pace continues to turn heads across the paddock.
13. Oscar Piastri Returns for a Late Push
Despite his earlier crash, Piastri managed to return to the track and sneak into P8. That speaks volumes about McLaren’s efficiency and his mental resilience. Not an ideal session, but far from a disaster.
14. Key Takeaways from Canadian GP FP3 Results
Here’s what we learned:
- McLaren and Ferrari are locked in for a qualifying showdown.
- Mercedes pace is real, with both cars in the top five.
- Tyre strategies will be a tight call.
- Red Bull has work to do—Verstappen is quick, but not comfortable.
- Piastri’s crash shows how quickly fortunes can turn on this street-style track.
15. Looking Ahead: F1 Qualifying Tyre Strategies
With the performance delta between soft and medium tyres razor-thin, qualifying strategy will be everything. Do teams go aggressive on the softs for Q2 and Q3? Or play the long game and keep mediums in the mix? Expect a mixed bag.
Conclusion
As the engines fall silent in Montreal, all eyes now turn to qualifying. Norris has sent a clear message, Leclerc has bounced back with grit, and Mercedes looks increasingly dangerous. Meanwhile, Red Bull needs to fix Verstappen’s brake issues fast, and McLaren will hope Piastri puts the crash behind him. The Canadian GP FP3 results have set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling qualifying battle.
FAQs
1. Who was fastest in FP3 at the Canadian GP?
Lando Norris set the fastest time in FP3, clocking a 1m 11.799s lap for McLaren.
2. What happened to Oscar Piastri in FP3?
Oscar Piastri crashed into the wall at the final chicane, picking up a puncture and causing a red flag.
3. How did Charles Leclerc perform in FP3?
After missing most of Friday’s sessions, Leclerc made a strong comeback and finished second in FP3.
4. What issues did Max Verstappen face during FP3?
Max Verstappen reported brake issues throughout the session, affecting his performance despite a top-five finish.
5. Which tyre strategy looks best for F1 qualifying in Canada?
With minimal difference between soft and medium compounds, teams face a tough call—softs offer peak grip, but mediums could offer consistency.
