McLarens make statement in FP3 as Norris leads Piastri in Saudi Arabia

Lando Norris has set the fastest lap time in Jeddah during the final free practice session with a 1:27.489. Oscar Piastri finished in P2, while George Russell rounded off the Top 3. The Mercedes driver was sixth tenths behind the two McLarens.

Throughout the session, Piastri was consistently 1.5 tenths ahead of his teammate, but on his final lap, he made a mistake. Max Verstappen set the fourth quickest time.

While Charles Leclerc was in fifth position, Lewis Hamilton finished in P12, as the Briton said over the team radio to Riccardo Adami that he has no grip.

As it happened

Not many were eager to get on the track immediately ahead of qualifying in Saudi Arabia. For example, Max Verstappen was not even sitting in the RB21 as the session got underway. Russell and Carlos Sainz were also seen having a snack.

Tsunoda's session also got underway later, as Red Bull were fixing his car after his crash yesterday.

On the other hand, Gabriel Bortoleto began his shift early, after he had issues in FP2 as well.

After the first 20 minutes, as more drivers entered the track, it was Verstappen who led the session with a 1:29.0, but Leclerc quickly overtook him with a lap that was two tenths faster even with a mistake in final sector.

Minutes later, the McLarens also did their first flying laps on the softs, as Piastri took the lead with a 1:28.6, and was ahead of Norris by 1.5 tenths.

With 20 minutes to go, Piastri further improved, now leading with a 1:28.4 ahead Norris, Leclerc and Verstappen.

Drivers continued to improve on new soft tyres, with the McLarens making another statement. Piastri's lap time was a 1:27.5 on new softs, as he was seven tenths quicker than Russell who was in P3. By the end of the session however, Norris managed to be marginally ahead of his teammate.