Full Results FP3 | Mercedes flexes its muscles ahead of Qualifying in Japan
04:33, 28 Mar
Updated: 04:58, 28 Mar
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After McLaren managed to stay close to Mercedes on single-lap pace on Friday, Mercedes flexed its muscles again in FP3 at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli set the quickest time in FP3 with a 1:29.3, finishing around two and a half tenths ahead of his teammate, George Russell.
Charles Leclerc completed the top three. His gap to Antonelli was more than eight tenths. Oscar Piastri and Lewis Hamilton followed in fourth and fifth place with a gap just outside of a second.
After the team once again identified an issue with the ERS pack, Lando Norris had limited time on track in this session as well. The defending world champion set the sixth quickest time.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen finished in eighth place, also behind Nico Hulkenberg's Audi. The Dutchman's gap to Antonelli was 1.5 seconds.
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Full Results | FP3 of the 2026 Japan Grand Prix
| Position | Driver (Team) | Time |
| P1 | Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) | 1:29.362 |
| P2 | George Russell (Mercedes) | 1:29.616 |
| P3 | Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) | 1:30.229 |
| P4 | Oscar Piastri (McLaren) | 1:30.364 |
| P5 | Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) | 1:30.383 |
| P6 | Lando Norris (McLaren) | 1:30.600 |
| P7 | Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) | 1:30.658 |
| P8 | Max Verstappen (Red Bull) | 1:30.910 |
| P9 | Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) | 1:31.000 |
| P10 | Pierre Gasly (Alpine) | 1:31.082 |
| P11 | Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) | 1:31.094 |
| P12 | Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) | 1:31.097 |
| P13 | Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) | 1:31.288 |
| P14 | Esteban Ocon (Haas) | 1:31.326 |
| P15 | Oliver Bearman (Haas) | 1:31.558 |
| P16 | Alexander Albon (Williams) | 1:31.733 |
| P17 | Franco Colapinto (Alpine) | 1:31.759 |
| P18 | Carlos Sainz (Williams) | 1:31.829 |
| P19 | Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) | 1:32.503 |
| P20 | Sergio Perez (Cadillac) | 1:32.540 |
| P21 | Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) | 1:33.485 |
| P22 | Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) | 1:33.529 |
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Read more about:
latest news
Japanese Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 27.03.26
Practice 1
02:30 AM
Practice 2
06:00 AM
Saturday 28.03.26
Practice 3
02:30 AM
Qualification
06:00 AM
Sunday 29.03.26
Race
05:00 AM
Friday 27.03.26
Practice 1
Fri 02:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 06:00 AM
Saturday 28.03.26
Practice 3
Sat 02:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 06:00 AM
Sunday 29.03.26
Race
Sun 05:00 AM
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 51 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 47 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 34 | |
4 | FerrariFER | 33 | |
5 | HaasHAA | 17 | |
6 | McLarenMCL | 15 | |
7 | AlpineALP | 9 | |
8 | Red Bull RacingRBR | 8 | |
9 | Racing BullsRCB | 8 | |
10 | Racing BullsRCB | 4 |
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