Image: from 𝐀𝐅𝐂 X @TheLokiLad
By Open Chronicle with agencies
Kimi Antonelli delivered a statement performance in the final practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday, putting Mercedes at the top of the timesheets ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in what promises to be a thrilling battle for pole position.
The championship leader posted a best lap of 1:12.720 during the third and final practice session, finishing more than three tenths clear of Leclerc and establishing Mercedes as a genuine contender after Ferrari dominated Friday’s running around the streets of Monte Carlo.
George Russell completed a strong session for Mercedes in fourth place, while Max Verstappen secured fifth for Red Bull. Oscar Piastri led McLaren’s challenge in sixth, with Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto continuing his impressive weekend by finishing seventh.
Mercedes Finds Extra Pace
The session began with Ferrari once again looking strong. After topping both practice sessions on Friday, Leclerc and Hamilton quickly returned to the front of the field.
Hamilton was among the first drivers to set a competitive benchmark, briefly leading by a comfortable margin before Russell moved Mercedes to the top with a lap of 1:13.902. Leclerc responded shortly afterward with a 1:13.748, only for Antonelli to immediately raise the standard by recording a 1:13.374.
The battle intensified as the track evolved and teams switched to soft tyres. Leclerc briefly regained first place with a 1:13.355, while Russell remained within striking distance. Antonelli, however, continued to improve and ultimately produced the fastest lap of the weekend so far, a 1:12.720 that none of his rivals could match.
The performance further underlined the remarkable form of the young Italian, who arrived in Monaco carrying momentum from four consecutive victories and a commanding lead in the drivers’ championship.
Strong Weekend Continues for Bortoleto
Gabriel Bortoleto enjoyed another encouraging session for Audi. Unlike Friday, when gearbox synchronization issues repeatedly hampered his running, the Brazilian completed most of the session without reporting major technical concerns.
Bortoleto steadily climbed the order as the track improved, initially moving into sixth place before further lowering his lap time to 1:13.820. At one stage he climbed into fifth, ahead of several established frontrunners, before eventually finishing seventh.
The result means Bortoleto has ended every practice session inside the top ten throughout the Monaco weekend, highlighting both his growing confidence and Audi’s competitiveness on the low-speed street circuit.
His teammate Nico Hülkenberg also maintained solid form, finishing tenth and ensuring both Audi cars remained among the fastest drivers before qualifying.
Red Flag Disrupts Final Preparations
The session was interrupted with around fifteen minutes remaining when Oliver Bearman lost control of his Haas at Turn 3 while attempting to avoid George Russell.
The British driver ran onto a dirty section of the circuit, spun, and crashed heavily into the barriers, bringing out an immediate red flag. Replays showed Bearman losing grip after the car bounced over an uneven section of track before impact.
Although Bearman escaped injury, the crash caused significant damage to his car and disrupted the final phase of preparation for nearly every team.
Because the session clock continued running during the stoppage, only a few minutes remained when the track reopened. Drivers were unable to complete a full tyre preparation cycle, preventing any meaningful improvements to lap times.
Pole Position Battle Wide Open
With Ferrari leading both Friday sessions and Mercedes responding strongly in FP3, qualifying is shaping up to be one of the most competitive of the season.
Antonelli’s pace suggests Mercedes has found the performance needed to challenge Ferrari over a single lap, while Verstappen remains close enough to threaten from Red Bull. McLaren also appears capable of joining the fight.
For Audi, the weekend continues to exceed expectations. Monaco’s low-speed layout appears to have minimized the team’s power deficit, allowing both Bortoleto and Hülkenberg to remain consistently competitive.
As Formula One prepares for the most important qualifying session of the year, the battle between Mercedes and Ferrari looks set to determine who will start Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix from pole position.
Monaco Grand Prix FP3 Results
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:12.720
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:13.047
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:13.051
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:13.483
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:13.662
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:13.698
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 1:13.820
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:13.877
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:14.006
- Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) – 1:14.050