George Russell was the fastest in the third free practice of the Australian GP, in Melbourne. The Mercedes driver led the session ahead of Charles Leclerc in second and Lewis Hamilton in third. FP3 was marked by two red flags, including a heavy crash by Kimi Antonelli, and by a chaotic finish with little time for fast laps.
Read more 2026 Australian GP: F1 Qualifying live at Albert Park
Gabriel Bortoleto finished the practice in ninth position with Audi. The Brazilian even appeared among the fastest throughout the session and recorded one of the best second sectors before improving his time at the end. The practice had interruptions after problems with Carlos Sainz and Antonelli’s accident.
Read more F1: Bortoleto reaches Q3, has a problem with Audi and starts 10th in Australia
Check out the full result of FP3 for the 2026 Australian GP:
1) George Russell (Mercedes), 1’19.053 – 23 laps
2) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 1’19.669 (+0.616) – 22
3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 1’19.827 (+0.774) – 20
4) Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’20.087 (+1.034) – 17
5) Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’20.137 (+1.084) – 15
6) Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’20.197 (+1.144) – 15
7) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 1’20.324 (+1.271) – 18
8) Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’20.443 (+1.390) – 22
9) Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), 1’20.459 (+1.406) – 19
10) Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari), 1’20.778 (+1.725) – 18
11) Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’20.838 (+1.785) – 15
12) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’20.890 (+1.837) – 13
13) Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari), 1’20.983 (+1.930) – 19
14) Nico Hülkenberg (Audi), 1’21.067 (+2.014) – 22
15) Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’21.071 (+2.018) – 26
16) Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’21.413 (+2.360) – 22
17) Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes), 1’21.664 (+2.611) – 17
18) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Honda), 1’22.720 (+3.667) – 20
19) Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’23.514 (+4.461) – 12
20) Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’24.397 (+5.344) – 21
21) Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes), no time (+-) – 1
Read more F1: Verstappen crashes in Q1 and fails to set a time in qualifying in Australia
