After struggling on the streets tracks in Monaco and Baku, Mercedes were expected to bounce back when Formula 1 hit the more conventional circuit at Paul Ricard for the French Grand Prix.
And that initially seemed to be borne out when Valtteri Bottas led Lewis Hamilton in first practice on Friday morning. But Max Verstappen was then quickest – just – in FP2, before the Red Bull driver laid down a marker in final practice with a time almost three quarters of a second faster than Bottas.
FP3 REPORT: Verstappen lays down the gauntlet for qualifying with stunning lap to top final practice
It was a stunning lap, and sets up the battle for pole nicely once qualifying gets under way later on Saturday afternoon. Hit play on the video above to see all the key moments from the final practice session for this weekend's race.
Next Up
Related Articles
Stromsted secures victory in thrilling F3 Spielberg Feature Race
Wolff praises Russell for using ‘experience’ to bag pole
Verstappen's best result yet in 2026 gets your vote
Wolff reviews Russell and Mercedes’ Austria ‘bounce back’
UnlockedWhat are the strategy options for the Austrian GP?
McLaren ‘hoped for a bit more’ in Austria Qualifying – Norris