Antonelli leads chaotic Spanish GP practice after Hamilton and Bearman crashes

Key points

• Kimi Antonelli topped FP3 with a time of 1:32.797s, reclaiming the lead after a red flag.
• Lewis Hamilton crashed into the TecPro wall at Turn 22, damaging his front wing and causing a 40-minute delay.
• Oliver Bearman crashed into the concrete wall at Turn 10 in the final minute, securing Antonelli's lead.
• Charles Leclerc finished second, followed by Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in third and fourth.
• Max Verstappen placed fifth, with Red Bull struggling on the Madring circuit's kerbs.
• George Russell finished sixth, while Alex Albon ended his session early for suspension repairs.

Background

Antonelli has led all three practice sessions at the Spanish Grand Prix, following a strong FP1 where George Russell led and a competitive FP2 where Antonelli beat Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The Madring circuit in Madrid has presented challenges for teams, with several crashes and red flags disrupting the weekend's schedule. The new layout has required teams to fine-tune their setups, with Mercedes appearing to have the edge in practice.

Why it matters

The crashes and red flags in FP3 highlight the challenges of the new Madring circuit, which has low runoff areas and tight corners. Antonelli's consistent performance in practice suggests Mercedes is well-prepared for qualifying, while the struggles of Red Bull and others indicate that the track's demands are testing teams' setups. The session's disruptions also underscore the importance of car reliability and driver skill in a competitive field.

What to watch

Qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix is scheduled for 14:30 BST, where teams will aim to secure pole position. The results from FP3 will likely influence strategies for the race, with teams looking to optimize their setups based on the practice data. The crashes and red flags may also impact tire wear and car damage, affecting race performance.