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Max Verstappen topped the final practice session before qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of the McLaren pair at Suzuka.
Verstappen leading the way
Verstappen's time of 1:30.267 was enough to top the timesheets for the third successive session, emphasising his dominance around Suzuka. As the track ramped up Verstappen was rivalled by Norris and Piastri but neither could match the Dutchman. Both McLaren drivers were just under three tenths slower than the Red Bull and will be hoping to challenge for the front row if not pole later today.
It took Sergio Perez a little while to get going but he eventually put in a time which was good enough for P4 in FP3, but he was still significantly down on his teammate. Ferrari couldn't challenge for the fastest times as they were just behind the front runners with Leclerc and Sainz 0.755s and 0.8s down on the World Champion. Mercedes were seventh and eighth with Alonso in ninth, meaning the usual suspects made up nine of the top ten places, with Zhou Guanyu rounding out the top half of the grid.
Further down the grid
Alpine have struggled for pace all weekend and it was Pierre Gasly who brought up the rear, only able to set a best time of 1:32.199. Yuki Tsunoda was confirmed at Alpha Tauri for 2024 shortly before the session and he went 14th fastest, 1.684 down on his Red Bull counterpart.