Kimi Antonelli set the pace in Free Practice 3 for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, leading Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar as Mercedes demonstrated its one-lap pace ahead of Qualifying at the Sepang International Circuit.

The Mercedes driver posted a fastest time of 1:36.302 to finish 0.278s clear of Verstappen, with Red Bull team-mate Hadjar third. George Russell completed the top four, 0.610s off the leading pace.

With track conditions remaining challenging, the opening phase of the session began quietly, with teams holding station out of the punishing midday heat. Charles Leclerc was among the first to venture out, on the Hard compound, and he set an initial benchmark of 1:37.772. Lando Norris then moved to the top of the timesheets on the Medium tyres with a 1:37.161.

Oscar Piastri followed his McLaren team-mate into second, while Mercedes and Red Bull initially remained in their garages.

The session was briefly interrupted when debris from Oliver Bearman's Haas was spotted at Turn 10, prompting Race Control to deploy the red flags. Following a four-minute stoppage to clear the circuit, the session resumed with a queue forming at the pit exit.

Antonelli immediately established himself at the front, setting a 1:36.924 on Soft tyres. Russell was 0.129s behind, while Verstappen moved into fourth on the medium compound, having encountered traffic in the final sector.

As the session progressed, Hadjar improved to 1:36.860 to briefly take the lead, but Antonelli and Verstappen responded to push the Red Bull driver down the order. Russell subsequently improved to 1:36.912, although he remained six tenths adrift of his team-mate.

McLaren's attempts to improve on the soft tyres proved less productive. Norris remained seventh after failing to complete a representative final sector, while Piastri also abandoned his final flying lap following a mistake.

Ferrari, meanwhile, completed its preparations with Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both finding improvements. Leclerc's 1:37.016 placed him fifth, just ahead of Hamilton, who finished 0.739s off Antonelli’s session topper. The Monegasque driver was the only competitor to use the Hard compound during the session, leaving him with one remaining set for the Grand Prix.

In the closing stages, Antonelli delivered the fastest lap of the weekend so far, stopping the clocks at 1:36.302 to secure top spot. Verstappen improved to second, 0.278s behind, while Hadjar retained third ahead of Russell.

The result marked Antonelli's first practice session at the head of the field since Madrid, with Mercedes appearing to have made further progress with its latest development package.

Franco Colapinto and Arvid Lindblad completed the top 10, although both face grid penalties for Sunday's race.

Behind them, Gabriel Bortoleto was 11th for Audi, ahead of Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly. Esteban Ocon, Liam Lawson and Nico Hülkenberg followed, while Bearman, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll and Alexander Albon occupied positions 17 to 20.

Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez completed the order.

2026 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia – Free Practice 3 
1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:36.302 12 207.210
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:36.580 0.278 12 206.614
3 Isack Hadjar Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:36.860 0.558 15 206.016
4 George Russell Mercedes 1:36.912 0.610 11 205.906
5 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:37.016 0.714 19 205.685
6 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:37.041 0.739 15 205.632
7 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:37.161 0.859 15 205.378
8 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:37.366 1.064 16 204.946
9 Franco Colapinto Alpine/Mercedes 1:37.920 1.618 20 203.786
10 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:38.084 1.782 24 203.446
11 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:38.204 1.902 15 203.197
12 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Honda 1:38.223 1.921 13 203.158
13 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Mercedes 1:38.241 1.939 20 203.120
14 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:38.252 1.950 12 203.098
15 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:38.266 1.964 17 203.069
16 Nico Hülkenberg Audi 1:38.356 2.054 14 202.883
17 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:38.692 2.390 12 202.192
18 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:38.716 2.414 21 202.143
19 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Honda 1:38.811 2.509 12 201.949
20 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:39.049 2.747 18 201.463
21 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac/Ferrari 1:39.931 3.629 14 199.685
22 Sergio Pérez Cadillac/Ferrari 1:40.223 3.921 20 199.103