Overview
- Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in final practice at Spa on Saturday with a 1:45.990 lap, leading Lando Norris and Max Verstappen on the FP3 timesheet.
- Lewis Hamilton crashed at the Fagnes chicane in the closing seconds of FP3, smashing the right‑rear suspension and rear wing and leaving Ferrari a short window to complete major repairs ahead of qualifying.
- Long‑run data from practice showed Mercedes managing tyre degradation far better than Red Bull and others, giving Antonelli an advantage over a full stint as well as on a single flying lap.
- Multiple grid penalties were confirmed for this weekend, including 10‑place drops for Lando Norris and Lance Stroll and a back‑of‑the‑grid start for Isack Hadjar, reshaping likely starting positions.
- Beyond the session, the result carries championship weight for Antonelli and underlines worries for teams without upgrades, notably Aston Martin, which faces continued pace and 107% qualifying pressure before its planned upgrade.