Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix FP3: Lando Norris fastest in FP3 at Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Full Imola FP3 results & F1 qualifying preview.
Introduction
The engines roared once again at the historic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, and FP3 delivered just what Formula 1 fans crave – speed, surprises, and a serious shake-up. Lando Norris stole the spotlight in final practice at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, leading a thrilling McLaren 1-2 ahead of Oscar Piastri, while Max Verstappenheld onto third for Red Bull Racing.
Think of FP3 as the dress rehearsal before the grand performance. And in this case, the McLaren cast played their parts flawlessly. Let’s dive into everything that unfolded, from Carlos Sainz’s Williams F1 moment to Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari struggles, and preview what’s in store for qualifying.
Table of Contents
| Sr# | Headings |
|---|---|
| 1 | Imola Comes Alive: The Final Rehearsal Begins |
| 2 | Norris Leads the Way: A McLaren Statement |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri’s McLaren Performance Impresses Again |
| 4 | Verstappen Closes In: Red Bull’s Quiet Resilience |
| 5 | Kimi Antonelli Shines in Front of Home Fans |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Braking Puzzle |
| 7 | Charles Leclerc’s Ongoing Struggles in Imola |
| 8 | Carlos Sainz and the Williams F1 Surprise |
| 9 | George Russell’s Troubles with Mercedes Updates |
| 10 | Yuki Tsunoda’s Radio Frustrations Continue |
| 11 | A Look at Hard Tyre Debut at Imola |
| 12 | Chaos in the Pit Lane: Hadjar’s Close Call |
| 13 | The Unexpected Faces in the Top 10 |
| 14 | FP3 Final Practice Standings Rundown |
| 15 | F1 Qualifying Predictions for Imola |
1. Imola Comes Alive: The Final Rehearsal Begins
The third and final Formula 1 practice session kicked off under the late morning sun in Imola. Drivers approached it cautiously at first—understandable, given Friday’s traffic chaos and the unpredictability of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. At exactly 12:30 local time, the track opened for a critical hour of fine-tuning.
This wasn’t just about speed; it was about perfecting setups for the afternoon’s Qualifying. And that’s exactly what most teams did—some taking the hard tyres for a spin, others focusing purely on short runs.
2. Norris Leads the Way: A McLaren Statement
Lando Norris fastest in FP3 – sounds familiar, right? After impressive performances all season, the Briton once again proved why he’s become one of the most talked-about drivers in 2025. He clocked in a best lap of 1m 14.897s, placing his McLaren at the top of the Imola FP3 results.
What made this even more significant was that Norris hit the gravel later in the session, proving just how much he was pushing. Still, that early quick lap held strong.
3. Oscar Piastri’s McLaren Performance Impresses Again
Oscar Piastri’s McLaren performance continues to be one of the season’s highlights. The young Australian kept it clean (well, cleaner than some), improving late in the session to slot in just a tenth behind his teammate.
Together, Norris and Piastri gave McLaren their first 1-2 in FP3 this season—a huge statement ahead of Qualifying.
4. Verstappen Closes In: Red Bull’s Quiet Resilience
While Red Bull Racing didn’t dominate as expected, Max Verstappen still delivered a solid P3 finish. He was the only non-McLaren driver within two-tenths of the leaders.
That said, his run wasn’t without flaws. Max had a slight off during one of his flying laps, echoing a theme of slight unease with the Red Bull setup—possibly owing to temperature or tyre prep. Still, if history tells us anything, don’t count Verstappen out for pole just yet.
5. Kimi Antonelli Shines in Front of Home Fans
For Kimi Antonelli, this weekend is special—racing at home in front of thousands of Italian fans. And the young talent didn’t disappoint. After struggling in previous sessions, Antonelli surged to P4, just behind the titans of McLaren and Red Bull.
A future star? If FP3 is anything to go by, absolutely.
6. Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari’s Braking Puzzle
After joining Ferrari in 2025, Lewis Hamilton is still searching for rhythm in the red suit. FP3 didn’t help his cause, as he reported continued braking issues—a lingering concern from Friday.
Hamilton’s early outing in FP3 looked promising, even topping the sheets briefly with a 1m 15.866s lap. But as the session progressed, other issues crept in, and the Ferrari struggles returned.
7. Charles Leclerc’s Ongoing Struggles in Imola
It wasn’t just Hamilton—Charles Leclerc also struggled to tame his Ferrari. The Monegasque driver could only manage fifth, trailing Antonelli and his teammate on pace.
Leclerc’s braking issues persisted, and it’s clear Ferrari hasn’t quite unlocked the right balance at this circuit. Could that be the Achilles’ heel come Qualifying?
8. Carlos Sainz and the Williams F1 Surprise
Carlos Sainz in Williams F1 continues to surprise the paddock. Moving from Ferrari to Williams raised eyebrows, but he’s proving he’s still got what it takes. Sainz powered his way into P6, even amidst a pit-lane incident involving Hadjar, which could’ve gone terribly wrong.
Not bad for a team once considered backmarkers.
9. George Russell’s Troubles with Mercedes Updates
George Russell, like many others, had a rocky FP3. He ran wide, felt uncomfortable, and radioed in with a telling message: “This ride is definitely a bit worse today.”
The Mercedes updates are still a work in progress. Russell ended up in P8, behind Hadjar—a result that’s unlikely to satisfy the Silver Arrows ahead of a crucial qualifying.
10. Yuki Tsunoda’s Radio Frustrations Continue
It’s becoming a bit of a theme now. Yuki Tsunoda, frustrated and vocal over the radio, declared he had “absolutely zero pace.” The Japanese driver seemed off the boil all session and ended up well outside the top 10.
If Tsunoda doesn’t find performance soon, pressure will surely start to mount.
11. A Look at Hard Tyre Debut at Imola
Not many opted for it, but the hard tyre debut at Imola did happen, courtesy of Norris early in the session and Aston Martin’s unique strategy with Fernando Alonso.
The hard compound didn’t offer peak pace, but it provided valuable data for Sunday. In a race that may be dictated by tyre strategy, that information could prove vital.
12. Chaos in the Pit Lane: Hadjar’s Close Call
There was nearly a major scare when Isack Hadjar, attempting a practice start, almost collided with Sainz’s Williams in the fast lane. Quick reflexes avoided contact, and Hadjar immediately radioed in an apology.
Moments like these remind us how razor-thin the margins are in F1—even in the pit lane.
13. The Unexpected Faces in the Top 10
While usual suspects like Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen led the way, others crept into the FP3 final practice standingstop 10, including Hadjar, Alex Albon, and Hamilton. That mix shakes up the grid and hints at a thrilling qualifying to come.
14. FP3 Final Practice Standings Rundown
Here’s how the top ten shaped up at the end of FP3:
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:14.897
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.110s
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.185s
- Kimi Antonelli
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Isack Hadjar
- George Russell
- Alex Albon
- Lewis Hamilton
Further down, Fernando Alonso was P11, Pierre Gasly outside the top 15, and Esteban Ocon at the very back.
15. F1 Qualifying Predictions for Imola
With so many twists in FP3, predicting Qualifying is like predicting weather in spring—changeable and dramatic. McLaren look primed for pole, but Verstappen lurks dangerously close. Ferrari will hope to fix their braking woes, and if Antonelli keeps this form, a shock Q3 appearance is not out of the question.
Conclusion
As the dust settles on FP3 at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, fans have been gifted a tantalizing glimpse into what Qualifying could deliver. With McLaren’s FP3 1-2, Red Bull’s resilience, and Ferrari’s questions, the stage is set for another thrilling act in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
FAQs
1. Who was fastest in FP3 at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix?
Lando Norris topped the session with a time of 1:14.897, leading a McLaren 1-2 ahead of Oscar Piastri.
2. How did Max Verstappen perform during FP3 in Imola?
Max Verstappen finished third, just under two-tenths off Norris. Despite some small errors, he remains a strong contender.
3. What issues did Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari face during FP3?
Both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc struggled with braking problems, continuing a frustrating weekend for Ferrari.
4. Did any unexpected drivers shine in FP3?
Yes, Kimi Antonelli was a standout, finishing fourth in front of his home fans, while Carlos Sainz delivered a strong P6 for Williams.
5. What can we expect in qualifying at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix?
Expect a tight battle between McLaren and Red Bull for pole, with Ferrari needing to resolve their braking issues quickly.
