F1 Results Today: Lewis Hamilton struggles again as Max Verstappen thrashed by….readmore
Saudi Arabian GP 2025: McLaren Shines as Hamilton and Verstappen Struggle in FP3
In the final practice session (FP3) of the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, McLaren emerged as the dominant force, while Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen continued to battle ongoing performance issues. The session, held at the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit, saw Lando Norris deliver a stunning lap to top the timesheets, reinforcing McLaren’s growing competitiveness this season.
Norris clocked the fastest time of the session with a 1:27.489 lap, narrowly edging out his teammate Oscar Piastri by a mere 0.024 seconds. The 1-2 finish for McLaren has sent a clear message ahead of qualifying later this evening, with both drivers showing strong pace and control despite the circuit’s technical challenges and high-speed corners.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari for the 2025 season, found himself off the pace once again. He finished the session in 12th position, citing handling issues and a lack of grip. The seven-time world champion revealed post-session that setup changes had made his car difficult to manage, describing it as “undriveable” during high-speed turns. Hamilton’s struggles in the Ferrari W15 highlight a season that has so far failed to meet expectations.
Max Verstappen also faced a tough session. Despite coming into the weekend as one of the favorites, the Red Bull driver managed only fourth place in FP3. While not as far down the order as Hamilton, Verstappen was noticeably off the pace compared to the McLarens and even Mercedes’ George Russell, who slotted into third place. Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, rounded out the top ten.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc posted the fifth-best time, giving the team a mixed outlook ahead of qualifying. While Leclerc showed promise, Hamilton’s performance highlighted the inconsistency Ferrari has yet to resolve.
The final practice session offered a glimpse into what could be a dramatic qualifying round, with McLaren currently leading the charge. Their strong pace under the extreme heat of the Saudi Arabian desert suggests they may be the team to beat this weekend, as other traditional frontrunners continue to grapple with performance woes.
All eyes will now turn to qualifying, where McLaren will look to convert their practice dominance into pole position, and rivals like Hamilton and Verstappen hope to turn their fortunes around.
