Verstappen Stuns Mercedes in Baku FP3 with Slipstream-Assisted Pole Time

Key points

• Verstappen set the fastest time of 1m43.922s, beating Russell by 0.099s and Hamilton by 0.111s.
• Mercedes demonstrated strong pace, with Russell and Antonelli leading on medium tyres before Verstappen’s final soft-tyre run.
• Lance Stroll crashed in Turn 1, damaging his front-left suspension and ending his session early.
• McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris finished seventh and eighth, indicating continued struggles with low-speed cornering.
• Isack Hadjar returned to the grid for Red Bull, finishing ninth in FP3.

Background

This session follows a series of strong Mercedes performances in recent rounds, including Russell’s FP3 lead at Monza and Madrid. Verstappen’s surprise top time contrasts with his crash at the Dutch GP in August, where he retired on the first lap. The championship remains tight, with Antonelli leading by 59 points over Russell and Hamilton.

How outlets are covering it

Autosport highlights the surprise nature of Verstappen’s win, noting that his lap was heavily assisted by a slipstream, which may not reflect true qualifying pace. The outlet also points out that Mercedes was 'ominously quick' on medium tyres, suggesting they could have gone faster. Sky Sports and ESPN provided no usable content due to technical errors, so no alternative perspectives are available. The consensus from Autosport is that while Red Bull looked fastest, Mercedes remains the benchmark for raw speed in Baku.

Why it matters

Verstappen’s FP3 performance suggests Red Bull may be competitive in qualifying, but the slipstream factor raises questions about their true pace. Mercedes’ strong showing on medium tyres indicates they could dominate the race if they manage tyre wear. The result adds uncertainty to the championship battle, as Verstappen’s return to form could pressure Antonelli’s lead.

What to watch

Qualifying will test whether Red Bull’s slipstream advantage translates to a clean lap without tow. Mercedes will likely focus on tyre management, while McLaren must address their low-speed issues. The race will see if Verstappen can convert his FP3 speed into a podium finish.