Hamilton crashes in FP3 giving Ferrari race against time to get car ready for Belgian GP qualifying

The seven-time world champion made a rare mistake as he lost control of his Ferrari and crashed into the same tyre barrier that Pierre Gasly did on Friday. The crash took place in the final moments of the session, one which he finished fifth - less than four tenths behind pacesetter Kimi Antonelli.

Onboard replays showed Hamilton making a small correction as he entered Turn 13, before having a big snap which sent him out into the barriers much like Gasly's Alpine on Friday. The impact caused significant damage to the rear-end of Hamilton’s Ferrari and forced the seven-time world champion to stop on track.

"Yeah, I have destroyed the car mate," Hamilton told his team over the radio, who now have a big race against time to get his car ready for qualifying. Hamilton destroyed the right rear wheel of his Ferrari and his rear wing. If Hamilton requires a new gearbox, he will be able to use one from his pool and not pick up a penalty.

After the incident, Hamilton was seen checking the back of his stricken Ferrari, inspecting how much work his team will need to do before qualifying.

Following Hamilton's win in Barcelona, and teammate Charles Leclerc's triumph last time out in Silverstone, Ferrari had been expected to be Mercedes' main challengers this weekend. Hamilton though has given his team a huge uphill challenge, to get his car ready and take the challenge to Mercedes for pole position later this afternoon.

Antonelli topped the final practice by 0.139 seconds from Lando Norris, with Max Verstappen 0.148 seconds back. Hamilton and Leclerc were fourth and fifth, although the Monegasque driver, coming off his win at Silverstone, appears to be off the pace of his teammate so far this weekend.

There was also drama at Red Bull during FP3 with Isack Hadjar stopping at the end of the pitlane reporting no power. Hadjar was able to get back on track, but it is a concern for Red Bull, given that the Frenchman will already start tomorrow's race from the back due to a grid penalty for a power unit change.