Antonelli stuns Suzuka as Verstappen's Red Bull woes deepen in FP3
The final practice session at Suzuka saw Kimi Antonelli dominate the field, finishing over six-tenths ahead of Charles Leclerc. Behind him, Mercedes secured a strong result, with George Russell taking second place. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen's struggles with the Red Bull RB22 continued, leaving the reigning champion visibly frustrated.
Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in FP3, outpacing Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by more than 0.6 seconds. George Russell followed in second, ensuring both Mercedes drivers placed in the top three. The team enjoyed a smooth session, with no major issues reported.
At Red Bull, the problems persisted. Verstappen, who had already finished seventh in FP1—0.8 seconds off the pace—and over 1.3 seconds behind in FP2, again faced difficulties. His frustration was clear over team radio, where he described the car's performance as 'everything is just ***'. Issues with downshifts on a push lap added to his troubles, while teammate Isack Hadjar trailed by more than a tenth. The RB22 has shown a noticeable decline this season, plagued by handling problems like understeer and oversteer. Even midfield drivers, including Nico Hülkenberg, have outperformed Verstappen in recent sessions. Red Bull now sits fourth in the pecking order, behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren. Fans can stay updated with the latest from the paddock through GPblog's Paddock Update, available on Spotify and YouTube.
Antonelli's dominant performance in FP3 contrasts sharply with Red Bull's ongoing struggles. Verstappen's radio outburst and the RB22's handling issues highlight the team's challenges as they prepare for qualifying. The gap to Mercedes and Ferrari suggests a tough weekend ahead for the Milton Keynes squad.
