The World Championship leader pushes against Verstappen and Alonso confirms the sensations

The leader of F1 World Cup, Kimi Antonellitook a step forward to a turn in the Free practice 3 of the Bahrain GP in Malaysia and sent a warning before qualifying this Saturday (10:00 a.m./DAZN) to all his rivals. He wants the pole.

However, he is aware, like all his opponents, that the first position on the grid counts less this weekend, since the asphalt is in very poor condition and there is great tire degradation. That’s the key, preparing the car for correct tire management in the race, more than for a lap in qualifying.

Final times of Free Practice 3 of the Bahrain GP of F1 2026Formula Timer

In that context, it is not surprising that with eight minutes left in the third training session this Saturday, the time table had Norris in third position already Verstappen in the fourth with times marked with medium rubber, now Hadjar in 6th place with that same compound, or even Leclerc in the 7th with hard rubber.

The heavyweights put the soft tire last, and there, after a session full of equality, Kimi He slammed his fist on the table at a turn since only the Red Bull They were able to follow him closely.

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the third practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) — Kimi Antonelli, at the 2026 F1 Bahrain GPVincent Thian / Ap-LaPresse

Kimi surpassed 0″278 Verstappenwho was second ahead of his teammate Hadjarthird at 0″280 behind the Dutchman and 0″558 behind Kimi.

Fourth was Russelat 0″610. We remember that the Briton already warned Mundo Deportivo that his main problem this year was adapting his driving style to different tire pressures that prevented him from being as aggressive as always with the rear tires, something that made him punish the rear tires more than his teammate.

And there may be the key for George who in Baku took a big step forward in this regard, but who will have to confirm it this weekend if he does not want his teammate Kimi to once again take away some crucial points for a championship that Antonelli is already looking forward to.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the third practice session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) — Max Verstappen, at the Bahrain GP in MalaysiaAijaz Rahi / Ap-LaPresse

Ferrari and McLaren, far away… but not

For now, the battle seems a matter of Mercedes and Red Bullbut be careful to the fine print: a twist. And also one lap away, Ferrari finished Free Practice 3 as the third best team. Leclerc was 5th at 0″714 and hamilton He finished 25 thousandths behind in 6th place. Behind them, the McLarenwith Norris 7th at 0″8 and Piastri in 9th place, more than one second behind. Those in orange are always a mystery due to the step forward they usually take in qualifying, but for now, their one-lap pace does not seem as competitive as on other occasions.

But be careful. We have already said that the classification this weekend does not count as much. And McLaren and Ferrari should have a good pace in the long run.

So, these results and the classification results will have to be quarantined while waiting for see how everything could change in the race due to the enormous importance of tire degradation. And here, pole and grid position will be less decisive. Everyone looks at the tires before the race, and also at the chances of rainboth in the race and in classification (60%).

McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the third practice session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) — Norris, far from the best in SepangAijaz Rahi / Ap-LaPresse

Alonso, good position; Sainz, to suffer

Aston Martin was sure that its AMR26 would do much better at Sepang after the Baku disaster. Yes, there are two straights of more than 900 meters and the engine counts, but there are also curves of all kinds in which to make differences with the chassis and, above all, with the good tire degradation shown since the introduction of the new car in Hungary and Zandvoort.

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain leads Williams driver Alexander Albon of Thailand steers his car during the third practice session ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) — Alonso and Sainz, at the Bahrain GP in MalaysiaAijaz Rahi / Ap-LaPresse

That may be the best weapon for Alonso this weekend in the race in an event in which there may be strategic variety. And to take advantage of it, the man from Oviedo will seek to start from as high as possible. For now, he must celebrate the confirmation of Friday’s sensations. After being 14th and 15th in the first free practice, he continued his progress to finish 12th in Free Practice 3, 1″9 from the head and only 19 thousandths from the 11thhis pupil from Audi, Gabriel Bortoletoand less than two tenths from 10th in Q3.

While, Carlos Sainz was 18th at the wheel of a Williams that he does not adapt well to Sepang and that he has been suffering since Friday. The weekend seems complicated for the Madrid team from Grove, who finished 2″4 from the head, ahead of Stroll (19th) and his teammate Albon (20th at 2″7).