Lando Norris set the pace in the final practice session (FP3) ahead of qualifying at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly outpacing Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli. The session took place on July 25, 2026, under hot conditions at the Hungaroring, with Norris posting a fastest lap of 1:17.939 on soft tyres.
Hamilton followed closely in second place, just 0.117 seconds behind Norris, while Antonelli completed the top three, 0.129 seconds off the leader’s time. Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri rounded out the top five, highlighting a competitive field as the session unfolded.
The FP3 session was interrupted by a red flag caused by Sergio Perez’s Cadillac stopping on track due to engine and brake issues. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar faced difficulties, with Hadjar describing his Red Bull car as “undriveable” towards the end of the session. Arvid Lindblad’s Racing Bulls entry also suffered power unit problems, limiting his running. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto returned to the track after a crash on Friday but had limited laps in FP3. Aston Martin drivers Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso focused on adapting to their heavily updated car.
The session highlighted a tight battle among McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, with Norris’s McLaren showing strong pace late in the session to edge out Hamilton and Antonelli. The close timing between the top three drivers underlined the competitive nature of the weekend so far.
Other notable performances included George Russell in the Mercedes and Carlos Sainz in the Williams, both contributing to the depth of the field. The session’s challenges with reliability and car balance were evident across several teams, reflecting the demanding nature of the Hungaroring circuit.
With qualifying scheduled later on the same day, the FP3 times provide an indication of the competitive order but do not guarantee grid positions. The session’s developments set the stage for a closely fought qualifying session among the leading teams.
The final practice session underlined the fine margins separating the frontrunners and the ongoing technical challenges faced by several teams. Norris’s late improvement and the tight gaps to Hamilton and Antonelli suggest that the qualifying session will be closely contested.
