Watch Formula 1 Emilia Romagna GP — Practice 3 Free.

What's at Stake

As the final practice session before qualifying at the historic Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, FP3 is critical for mastering the technical demands of the Imola circuit. With overtaking notoriously difficult on this narrow track, teams must perfect their single-lap pace and aerodynamic balance to secure a front-row starting position. This hour represents the last opportunity to refine setups on the softest tire compounds before parc fermé conditions take effect.

Form Guide

Heading into the European leg of the 2026 season, the grid remains highly competitive as teams bring their first major upgrade packages of the year. Recent rounds have shown a tightening gap at the front of the field, with momentum shifting toward those who can best manage tire degradation on high-speed directional changes. Reliability and precision through the chicanes have been the deciding factors in the opening sessions of the weekend.

Key Players to Watch

• Charles Leclerc — The Ferrari driver always carries immense pressure and motivation at the team's home race in Imola.
• Max Verstappen — Known for his clinical efficiency in final practice, he will be looking to dial in the RB22 for a pole position charge.
• Lewis Hamilton — His experience navigating the tight confines of the Tamburello and Acque Minerali sections remains a benchmark for the field.

Prediction

Expect the session to be dominated by short, aggressive qualifying simulations in the final fifteen minutes as track evolution peaks. Ferrari is likely to show strong pace given the track's characteristics, but a Red Bull or McLaren will likely clinch the fastest time by a narrow margin of less than a tenth of a second. The session will conclude with a very congested leaderboard, setting the stage for a high-stakes qualifying battle.