The final practice session at Zandvoort ended with McLaren once again setting the standard. Lando Norris topped the timesheets with a 1:08.972, followed by teammate Oscar Piastri, confirming the MCL39’s dominance heading into qualifying. George Russell was third, with Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Alexander Albon, Lance Stroll, Isack Hadjar, and Fernando Alonso completing the top ten.
McLaren Untouchable
McLaren’s pace looked effortless. The car seemed strong across every type of corner, tire, and condition, leading many to expect the lap record will be broken in qualifying. The comparisons to Ferrari only served to emphasize the gap, and with Norris’ 2024 run against Verstappen still fresh in memory, there’s a growing consensus: McLaren “absolutely cooks here.”
Russell–Alonso Near Miss
The defining moment of FP3 was the pit-entry clash between Russell and Alonso. Alonso, on a push lap, tried to complete his run as Russell, on a slow lap and instructed to pit, swung wide toward pit entry. The two nearly collided, Russell bailed out of the pits, while Alonso aborted his lap and dived in.
The stewards called it a “dangerous situation,” handing Mercedes a €7,500 fine and Russell a warning. The blame ultimately lay in poor communication, with Russell not warned Alonso was approaching, but analysis of Alonso’s onboard showed Russell had a brief window to see him.
The incident drew criticism: Russell’s “dawdling” line across the apex left Alonso no real chance, regardless of the blind spot. Others countered that it was the team’s failure, not Russell’s recklessness. Either way, it marked Russell’s second run-in of the weekend after his pit-lane near-miss with Piastri in FP2, a pattern that leaves Mercedes looking untidy at Zandvoort.
Impeding Frustrations Boil Over
FP3 also amplified complaints about impeding. Tsunoda and Colapinto were accused of drifting in the way on hot laps, extending a theme already present this weekend. Drivers continue to use practice freely, but the lack of awareness is wearing thin. Some argue that until penalties go beyond fines, nothing will change. Others insist practice should remain looser, “impeding in FP? Nah”, warning that stricter punishments would empty the track.
Aston Martin in the Mix
Amid the chaos, Aston Martin showed quiet strength. Lance Stroll’s top-ten finish backed up earlier suggestions of strong pace, while Alonso’s running was defined more by his brush with Russell than outright speed.
Off-Track Intrigue and Atmosphere
Even away from the stopwatch, there were storylines. Cadillac’s quiet presence in the Mercedes garage, consistent with reports of renting facilities to prepare for 2026, raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, Jacques Villeneuve stuck to his “no chemistry” refrain in the commentary box, repeating it without traction.
And in the background, Zandvoort’s North Sea backdrop once again proved a highlight: serene in late summer, a sharp contrast to the harshness of winter.
Looking Ahead
FP3 confirmed McLaren’s dominance and put Mercedes under the microscope with Russell’s second steward investigation in two days. With impeding frustrations bubbling and the field still shaking off the summer break, qualifying is set to bring not only quick laps but more flashpoints in a weekend already rich with drama.