FP3: Piastri quickest ahead of Norris and Leclerc in third practice for the Spanish Grand Prix

Oscar Piastri dominated the final practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, asserting McLaren's formidable pace by topping the time sheets with a commanding gap over teammate Lando Norris and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. The session commenced quietly, with rookies and Aston Martin drivers easing into the track. Yuki Tsunoda initially set a competitive time on medium tyres, quickly surpassed by Norris. Carlos Sainz then lowered the benchmark on softs, as grip issues plagued Max Verstappen, who initially struggled. George Russell briefly showcased Mercedes' potential, leading at the halfway mark. The latter part of FP3 saw drivers focus on Qualifying simulations. Norris faced oversteer and porpoising, preventing him from improving. However, Piastri delivered a clean, blistering lap, setting the fastest time of the weekend so far at 1m 12.387s, leaving Norris more than half a second adrift. Verstappen's final effort could only secure him fifth, behind Russell's Mercedes. The session concluded with Isack Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, and Liam Lawson rounding out the top ten, setting the stage for a thrilling Qualifying.