Russell tops final Barcelona practice while Antonelli fumes at traffic
George Russell set the pace in final practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli was left fuming after his qualifying simulations were ruined by slow traffic.
Practice domination
George Russell topped final practice for the Spanish Grand Prix, lapping the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in 1:15.679. That put him 0.214 seconds clear of McLaren's Oscar Piastri, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc third and reigning champion Lando Norris fourth. Russell has now led two of the three practice sessions this weekend.
Antonelli's traffic trouble
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, chasing a sixth consecutive win, ended the session a frustrated seventh after encountering slow traffic on both of his qualifying simulation laps. Lance Stroll and several other cars blocked the Italian's way.
The Mercedes driver sits 66 points clear of Lewis Hamilton in the standings and 68 ahead of Russell, but Saturday's practice did little to ease his frustration.Why do I always get traffic, I don't understand.
Title contenders gather
Hamilton, who has finished second to Antonelli in the last two races, ended the session fifth, seven tenths off Russell's pace. He vowed to chase the teenager down for the remainder of the season. Fernando Alonso drew cheers from the grandstand that bears his name in what he says is likely his final appearance at the track.
Incident and outlook
A red flag interrupted the session when Valtteri Bottas beached his Cadillac in the gravel at turn 11 after losing his brake pedal. Qualifying for the 66-lap race begins at 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Saturday afternoon.
