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F1 Results Today: Hamilton Suffers Ferrari Setback as McLaren Lead Imola FP3
Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated first Italian race weekend in Ferrari colours has turned sour after a difficult showing in final practice at the 2025 Imola Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion could only manage the 10th fastest time in FP3 and reported floor damage to his Ferrari after running wide at Turn 18 (Rivazza).
“This floor is damaged, I ran wide,” Hamilton radioed to his team, a clear sign of frustration as he battles to find form in his new Scuderia surroundings.
Meanwhile, McLaren continued to show impressive pace, dominating both Friday sessions and carrying their momentum into Saturday. Lando Norris topped the session with a 1:14.897, narrowly ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri, who finished just a tenth behind.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, despite a crash that brought out the red flag earlier in the weekend, recovered to post the third-fastest time, though still three-tenths off the McLaren pace. Mercedes’ rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed again, going fourth quickest, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fifth.
The soft tyre struggled to deliver expected improvements due to overnight changes in tyre pressure regulations by Pirelli and a drop in track temperatures, making qualifying even more unpredictable.
There were no major incidents during FP3, though Liam Lawson had a heart-stopping spin at high speed through Tamburello, flat-spotting his tyres but managing to avoid the barriers.
Imola GP – FP3 Results:
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:14.897
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.100s
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.181s
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.502s
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.554s
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +0.560s
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – +0.611s
- George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.765s
- Alex Albon (Williams) – +0.835s
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.890s
Qualifying for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix continues today at 4pm local time (3pm BST), with the grid taking shape for what promises to be a thrilling Sunday showdown at Imola.
