FP3

FP3 is the third and final free practice session held during a Formula 1 race weekend, giving teams their last chance to prepare their cars before qualifying begins.

Think of FP3 like the final dress rehearsal before a big performance. Just as actors use their last rehearsal to perfect their timing and make final costume adjustments, Formula 1 teams use this one-hour session to fine-tune their cars and practice their strategy.

FP3 takes place on Saturday morning, right before the qualifying session that determines starting positions for Sunday's race. This timing is crucial because teams need fresh data about current track conditions before they compete for pole position.

During this session, drivers focus heavily on qualifying simulations. They practice short, fast runs using fresh tires and low fuel loads to mimic exactly what they'll experience in qualifying. This helps them understand how their car will behave when every tenth of a second counts.

Teams also use FP3 to make final setup changes based on everything they learned during Friday's practice sessions (FP1 and FP2). Engineers might adjust the car's suspension, aerodynamics, or other components to find the perfect balance between qualifying speed and race-day performance.

The third free practice session provides the most relevant data because track conditions on Saturday morning are usually similar to qualifying conditions later that day. Weather, temperature, and track surface all affect how fast cars can go.

However, FP3 doesn't happen during Sprint weekends, when the schedule is compressed to fit in an additional shorter race on Saturday. In these cases, teams have less practice time overall.

For fans, FP3 often gives the best preview of qualifying performance, as lap times from this session frequently predict which drivers will fight for pole position.