Telemetry Madrid, competitive and aggressive Ferrari on the engine side
The third free practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix has probably completed the picture ahead of a qualifying that promises to be extremely competitive. The perhaps most interesting data emerging from FP3 is indeed the progressive convergence between Ferrari and Mercedes, both in terms of setup and energy management throughout the lap, despite rather marked differences remaining in the individual sectors. In Maranello, above all, there seems to be the will to leave nothing on the table on the Power Unit front. Even in Charles Leclerc’s last attempt Ferrari used the power unit quite aggressively, although what Hamilton did with the unit equipped with ADUO 2 was still superior. It must be said that the Monza update was not only physical but also software, and Leclerc could still benefit from that part. Qualifying will anyway give us further clarity on the picture between the two Ferraris, as everyone will inevitably raise the level again.
Mercedes very strong in the final section
Mercedes, on the other hand, continues to seem like the car with something still to spend especially on the engine front. Antonelli was once again very fast, but without registering any best sector, confirming a car that goes well on almost all types of corners on the track, without high or low peaks like the others. The Madring, then, is a track particularly suited to highlighting the driver’s contribution to the overall performance and this will make a significant difference in qualifying, even among teammates. The W17 continues to impress especially in the last sector. The Mercedes advantage comes particularly in the snake and in the slow and twisty final part, where several factors seem to add up. There is certainly a car capable of controlling roll movements well in rapid direction changes, but also a tire management that leaves the tires something extra precisely in the final part of the lap. The impression is that the not yet full delivery in the first half of the track also serves to prevent the rear tires from overheating too much, which would go out of control with the compression of the Monumental, to arrive in the third sector with still plenty of tire available and, above all, not slip in traction in the slow last corners.
Ferrari focused on the central sector
Ferrari instead builds much of its performance in the central sector. The SF-26 was again very strong at the Monumental, as well as in corner 13 and the long run through corner 15, with high lateral loads. Compared to Friday, there was also a reduction in harvesting in some areas, another sign of a convergence in deployment strategies between Maranello and Brackley. However, there remains some significant loss for Leclerc in the final part. The Monegasque loses ground in the snake and about a tenth just in the last corner, perhaps betraying a slightly softer roll car to improve curb passage, but which also arrives with the tires very much on the limit in the last stretch of the track. All elements that can become decisive on a track where the gaps between the front runners seem destined to be minimal.
Read more Hamilton against the wall, his FP3 lasts 20 minutes
Verstappen can try, McLaren is not far
Watch out then for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman arrives at the entrance of the last sector even ahead of the best references, only to lose about half a second to the finish line. It is a trend that Red Bull will hardly be able to completely erase within a few hours, but when it comes to a flying lap and a track where the driver can really make the difference, Verstappen inevitably remains a candidate to invent something (just think of the end of the Monaco 2023 lap). McLaren instead still appears slightly behind compared to Ferrari and Mercedes. The difficulties seem however concentrated especially in some specific types of slow corners and combined braking, and the gaps are not such as to exclude Norris and Piastri from the battle.
Great battle expected in qualifying
The overall feeling is therefore that of a qualifying destined to weigh enormously on the entire weekend. On a track where overtaking will be complicated, the starting position could represent a large part of the final result. Engines will be pushed to the maximum, drivers will have to take significant risks and the Madring has already shown that it does not easily forgive mistakes. Ferrari is there, Mercedes probably starts with a small favorite role, but all the top teams remain close enough to make the fight for pole anything but certain. The premises for one of the most interesting qualifying sessions of the season are all there.
Read more GP Spain 2026 – FP3 Standings: Antonelli leads, Leclerc chases. Hamilton hits the wall, is 9th
