Australian Grand Prix FP3: Home Hero Piastri Tops Tight Final Practice Ahead of Crucial Qualifying
The highly anticipated 2025 Australian Grand Prix weekend intensified dramatically as McLaren’s local star, Oscar Piastri, delighted the Melbourne crowd by setting the fastest time in the final practice session (FP3). His blistering lap around the challenging Albert Park Circuit not only raised expectations for his home race but also underscored McLaren’s strong potential heading into qualifying. However, the session revealed an incredibly tight competitive landscape, with the top three teams separated by mere fractions of a second, setting the stage for a thrilling fight for pole position.
Piastri’s performance was a beacon of hope for his Australian supporters, showcasing a remarkable blend of speed and precision. His McLaren MCL39 looked well-balanced and responsive, allowing him to extract maximum performance during the critical final preparations. While P1 in practice doesn’t guarantee success in qualifying or the race, it certainly provides a significant morale boost and valuable data for the team. The young Australian’s ability to deliver under pressure will be closely watched as the weekend progresses, with all eyes on whether he can convert this practice pace into a strong grid position.
The Battle at the Summit: Russell, Verstappen, and Leclerc in Hot Pursuit
While Piastri celebrated his top spot, the margins at the front were razor-thin, indicating a formidable challenge from Mercedes and Red Bull. George Russell, driving for Mercedes, secured the second-fastest time, lapping an incredibly close 0.039 seconds behind Piastri. His consistent performance throughout the practice sessions suggests that Mercedes has found a strong rhythm in Melbourne, positioning themselves as genuine contenders for the front row.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen, despite a relatively quiet start to the weekend, pushed his Red Bull RB21 to third place, just 0.081 seconds adrift of Piastri. Verstappen’s characteristic ability to find pace when it matters most was evident, and his team’s strategic choice to run a newer front wing specification on his car seemed to pay dividends, allowing him to improve his lap times significantly compared to Friday’s sessions. This late surge from the Dutchman signals that he remains a dominant force, ready to unleash his full potential in qualifying.
Charles Leclerc, yesterday’s pace-setter, made it four different cars in the top four, clocking a lap just over a quarter of a second behind Piastri. However, the Ferrari driver expressed some dissatisfaction with the balance of his SF-25, noting a change from Friday and complaining of “understeery” characteristics. This feedback highlights the constant challenge of optimizing car setup for the evolving track conditions at Albert Park and could be a crucial factor in Ferrari’s qualifying performance.
Early Setbacks: Bearman and Lawson’s Frustrating Sessions
For some drivers, the final practice session proved to be a frustrating affair, severely limiting their crucial track time. Oliver Bearman, who had a challenging Friday after a crash left him with only a dozen laps under his belt, experienced further misfortune. Eager to maximize his limited running, Bearman rejoined the track immediately after the pit lane opened. However, his session was cut brutally short when he spun into the gravel trap at Turn 11 soon after, causing another session stoppage and leaving his team dismayed. These incidents are a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of Formula 1, especially for a young driver needing every lap to build confidence and understanding of the car.
Similarly, Red Bull’s new talent, Liam Lawson, faced significant hurdles. After finishing 17th on Friday, Lawson accompanied Bearman onto the circuit at the start of FP3 but quickly returned to the pits with an apparent power unit problem. He never re-emerged from the garage, effectively losing his entire final practice session. Such technical issues are a major blow, particularly at a new circuit, denying drivers the opportunity to fine-tune their setup and build crucial understanding of the track limits and grip levels. Both Bearman and Lawson will face an uphill battle in qualifying, having had minimal preparation compared to their rivals.
Mercedes’ Young Gun and Midfield Movers: Antonelli and Williams’ Strong Showing
Beyond the immediate front-runners, several other drivers and teams showcased impressive performances. Mercedes’ rising star, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, enjoyed a trouble-free run to secure the fifth-fastest time in the other Mercedes W16. His consistent and composed drive underlines his growing maturity and comfort within the competitive F1 environment, reinforcing the potential many see in him. For Mercedes, having both cars firmly within the top five indicates a strong overall package and bodes well for their aspirations in qualifying and the race.
Williams, meanwhile, continued to underline their status as serious contenders for the midfield front-runners. By the conclusion of the session, Carlos Sainz Jnr posted an excellent lap, placing him just three-tenths of a second off Piastri’s benchmark time. His impressive pace was further complemented by his teammate, Alexander Albon, who was an astonishing six thousandths of a second behind Sainz. This tightly packed performance from both Williams drivers highlights the team’s significant progress and their ambition to score valuable points in Australia. Their ability to extract such competitive times from the FW47 makes them a team to watch closely as the weekend unfolds.
Hamilton’s Quest for Pace and Norris’s Late Surge
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton finished eighth, two-tenths of a second adrift of his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc. Hamilton was actively engaged with his race engineer, Ricardo Adami, seeking details on the gap between them and clearly striving to find every last bit of performance. He appeared to be losing the most time in the quicker right-hander of Turn 6, a corner where the gravel trap has been expanded since last year and now extends right up to the edge of the kerb, demanding precision and caution. Hamilton’s ongoing efforts to master this challenging section of the circuit will be key to unlocking further pace for qualifying.
Yuki Tsunoda delivered a strong performance for Racing Bulls, placing his 02 car impressively within the top five in the initial phase of the session, eventually settling for ninth. His aggressive yet controlled driving style continues to bring promising results for the team. Completing the top 10 was Lando Norris, Piastri’s McLaren teammate. Despite abandoning a potentially better lap in the penultimate corner, Norris demonstrated his raw speed by setting the fastest time of anyone in the final sector before the session concluded. This late burst of speed indicates that Norris has significant untapped potential and could be a formidable force in qualifying, potentially challenging for a front-row start alongside Piastri.
Looking Ahead: The Stage is Set for Qualifying
The final practice session at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix has truly set the stage for a spectacular qualifying battle. With Oscar Piastri leading a tightly contested field, the competition for pole position promises to be intense and unpredictable. The narrow margins between McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari suggest that strategy, driver skill, and a perfect setup will be paramount. Drivers like George Russell and Max Verstappen have clearly demonstrated their pace, while Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will be working tirelessly with their teams to resolve any lingering balance issues. Meanwhile, the midfield battle, spearheaded by a strong Williams effort, will be equally compelling. As the teams head into the crucial qualifying hour, every tenth of a second will count, and fans can expect a thrilling display of speed and nerve on the challenging Albert Park Circuit.
2025 Australian Grand Prix Grand Prix third practice result
| P. | # | Driver | Team | Model | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL39 | 1’15.921 | 16 | |
| 2 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | W16 | 1’15.960 | 0.039 | 17 |
| 3 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB21 | 1’16.002 | 0.081 | 18 |
| 4 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | SF-25 | 1’16.188 | 0.267 | 22 |
| 5 | 12 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | W16 | 1’16.206 | 0.285 | 20 |
| 6 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Williams-Mercedes | FW47 | 1’16.252 | 0.331 | 23 |
| 7 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams-Mercedes | FW47 | 1’16.258 | 0.337 | 4 |
| 8 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | SF-25 | 1’16.378 | 0.457 | 21 |
| 9 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 02 | 1’16.455 | 0.534 | 4 |
| 10 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL39 | 1’16.597 | 0.676 | 20 |
| 11 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber-Ferrari | C45 | 1’16.707 | 0.786 | 18 |
| 12 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | A525 | 1’16.719 | 0.798 | 22 |
| 13 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 02 | 1’16.732 | 0.811 | 18 |
| 14 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR25 | 1’16.948 | 1.027 | 22 |
| 15 | 7 | Jack Doohan | Alpine-Renault | A525 | 1’16.993 | 1.072 | 18 |
| 16 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber-Ferrari | C45 | 1’17.146 | 1.225 | 15 |
| 17 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR25 | 1’17.270 | 1.349 | 22 |
| 18 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas-Ferrari | VF-25 | 1’17.373 | 1.452 | 18 |
| 19 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas-Ferrari | VF-25 | No time | 2 | |
| 20 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB21 | No time | 2 |
2025 Australian Grand Prix Grand Prix combined practice times
| P. | # | Driver | Team | FP1 time | FP2 time | FP3 time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’17.670 | 1’16.563 | 1’15.921 | 66 | |
| 2 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1’17.716 | 1’17.282 | 1’15.960 | 0.039 | 73 |
| 3 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1’17.696 | 1’17.063 | 1’16.002 | 0.081 | 61 |
| 4 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1’17.461 | 1’16.439 | 1’16.188 | 0.267 | 75 |
| 5 | 12 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1’18.390 | 1’17.634 | 1’16.206 | 0.285 | 76 |
| 6 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Williams-Mercedes | 1’17.401 | 1’17.302 | 1’16.252 | 0.331 | 78 |
| 7 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams-Mercedes | 1’17.713 | 1’17.302 | 1’16.258 | 0.337 | 50 |
| 8 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1’18.071 | 1’16.859 | 1’16.378 | 0.457 | 72 |
| 9 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 1’18.061 | 1’16.784 | 1’16.455 | 0.534 | 56 |
| 10 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | 1’17.252 | 1’16.580 | 1’16.597 | 0.659 | 71 |
| 11 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber-Ferrari | 1’18.438 | 1’17.847 | 1’16.707 | 0.786 | 69 |
| 12 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | 1’18.505 | 1’17.493 | 1’16.719 | 0.798 | 75 |
| 13 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 1’17.847 | 1’17.019 | 1’16.732 | 0.811 | 73 |
| 14 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’18.057 | 1’17.279 | 1’16.948 | 1.027 | 70 |
| 15 | 7 | Jack Doohan | Alpine-Renault | 1’18.232 | 1’17.394 | 1’16.993 | 1.072 | 68 |
| 16 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber-Ferrari | 1’18.586 | 1’17.161 | 1’17.146 | 1.225 | 57 |
| 17 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin-Mercedes | 1’17.736 | 1’17.330 | 1’17.270 | 1.349 | 72 |
| 18 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas-Ferrari | 1’19.139 | 1’18.034 | 1’17.373 | 1.452 | 65 |
| 19 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | 1’18.455 | 1’17.640 | No time | 1.719 | 54 |
| 20 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas-Ferrari | 1’19.312 | No time | 3.391 | 14 |
2025 Australian Grand Prix
- F1 rules change to prevent repeat of Verstappen-Bearman Australian GP confusion
- Contact with team mate may have led to Bortoleto’s Australian GP crash
- Hamilton dismisses ‘negativity’ over his radio calls. ‘Other drivers are almost abusive’
- Antonelli “got really scared” when he made “big save” on first lap of Australian GP
- Williams explain role played by car’s systems in Sainz’s race-ending crash
Browse all 2025 Australian Grand Prix articles