F1 British GP: Leclerc tops red-flagged FP3 as margins prove tight

Charles Leclerc headlined a twice-red flagged final Formula 1 practice session ahead of the British Grand Prix, as tiny margins among the front-runners have set the scene for a close battle for pole.

Just 0.108s separated the top four as Leclerc dispatched the McLarens on his last flyer of the session, although Lewis Hamilton's final attempt to trail a five-way qualifying battle for pole was ended by the first red flag - caused by debris off Oliver Bearman's Haas.

A second red flag then occurred with a minute remaining, as Gabriel Bortoleto suffered a snap of oversteer through Maggotts and Becketts and lost control of his Sauber - which ended in the gravel as the suspension snapped.

In a quiet opening 10 minutes, following a clean-up delay to clear marbles left by the support categories, the Alpine drivers largely had the circuit to themselves to validate their overnight balance changes. But Hamilton then broke their deadlock with a 1m27.351s to set the early benchmark on soft tyres.

The circuit started to become a greater hive of activity; after Hamilton improved to a 1m26.529s on a second run, Leclerc raised the game even further - finding a 0.035s advantage to set a 1m26.494s.

Max Verstappen then split the two Ferraris with a lap just 0.005s off Leclerc's opening effort, while the McLarens found themselves unable to replicate Friday's FP2 pace amid the early phases - although the cars had been fuelled for longer runs.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri got closer on their second efforts on the same tyres, but Leclerc then posted a 1m25.922s to make a statement as the opening half-hour closed for business.

Verstappen took another chance and, despite traffic and his unease with his brake bias setting, posted a lap just 0.223s off Leclerc's benchmark. This was then challenged by the two Mercedes cars once more; Andrea Kimi Antonelli's lap fizzled out after an explosive first sector, while George Russell grew into his own lap and went second overall for the time being - but still 0.2s off Leclerc.

The McLarens then found their way back after the early runs; Norris set a 1m25.606s on a new set of softs, but was nudged off the top by Piastri by a scant 0.04s.

Verstappen split the already-fine margins between the McLaren duo to sit just 0.019s off Piastri's time; the low-downforce RB21 paid off well in the opening sector and on the straights, but struggled to keep the minimum speeds up through the high-speed corners.

Leclerc then posted a 1m25.498s, reclaiming top spot with just over 10 minutes remaining, and Hamilton continued to whet the appetites for qualifying with a strong start to his lap - but aborted in the final sector as a red flag was waved following Bearman's spin at pit entry.

The session was resumed with four minutes remaining, but Bortoleto's accident led to the session being called to an end with a second red flag.

F1 British GP results - FP3

Main Information Additional Data Driver Info Driver Info

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Main Information Additional Data 1  -  2
Cla	Driver	#		Chassis	Engine	Laps	Time	Interval	Tyres	km/h
1	C. Leclerc Ferrari	16		Ferrari	Ferrari	14	1'25.498		S	248.047
2	O. Piastri McLaren	81		McLaren	Mercedes	14	+0.068 1'25.566	0.068	S	247.850
3	M. Verstappen Red Bull Racing	1		Red Bull	Red Bull	14	+0.087 1'25.585	0.019	S	247.795
4	L. Norris McLaren	4		McLaren	Mercedes	17	+0.108 1'25.606	0.021	S	247.734
5	Y. Tsunoda Red Bull Racing	22		Red Bull	Red Bull	13	+0.606 1'26.104	0.498	S	246.302
6	O. Bearman Haas F1 Team	87		Haas	Ferrari	13	+0.614 1'26.112	0.008	S	246.279
7	A. Albon Williams	23		Williams	Mercedes	15	+0.621 1'26.119	0.007	S	246.259
8	G. Russell Mercedes	63		Mercedes	Mercedes	13	+0.627 1'26.125	0.006	S	246.242
9	I. Hadjar RB	6		RB	Honda	14	+0.631 1'26.129	0.004	S	246.230
10	L. Lawson RB	30		RB	Honda	14	+0.758 1'26.256	0.127	S	245.868
11	L. Hamilton Ferrari	44		Ferrari	Ferrari	17	+0.834 1'26.332	0.076	S	245.651
12	C. Sainz Williams	55		Williams	Mercedes	16	+0.834 1'26.332	0.000	S	245.651
13	E. Ocon Haas F1 Team	31		Haas	Ferrari	12	+0.879 1'26.377	0.045	S	245.523
14	A. Antonelli Mercedes	12		Mercedes	Mercedes	12	+0.924 1'26.422	0.045	S	245.395
15	N. Hulkenberg Sauber	27		Sauber	Ferrari	19	+1.001 1'26.499	0.077	S	245.177
16	G. Bortoleto Sauber	5		Sauber	Ferrari	15	+1.003 1'26.501	0.002	S	245.171
17	F. Alonso Aston Martin Racing	14		Aston Martin	Mercedes	16	+1.396 1'26.894	0.393	M	244.062
18	F. Colapinto Alpine	43		Alpine	Renault	14	+2.099 1'27.597	0.703	S	242.104
19	L. Stroll Aston Martin Racing	18		Aston Martin	Mercedes	14	+2.102 1'27.600	0.003	M	242.095
20	P. Gasly Alpine	10		Alpine	Renault	16	+2.380 1'27.878	0.278	S	241.330
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