World · Malaysia Bureau
Antonelli tops final Sepang practice session ahead of Verstappen
Italian driver Giovanni Antonelli delivered an impressive performance in the final practice session at Sepang, setting the fastest time despite struggling on Friday. The 20-year-old's strong showing puts him in contention ahead of qualifying.
LSN Malaysia ·
Antonelli clocked a best lap of 1 minute 36.302 seconds on soft tyres to secure top spot in Friday's final practice session at the Sepang International Circuit, marking a significant improvement from his earlier outing on the Malaysian track.
The Italian's Friday performance had been modest, with Antonelli managing only eighth place in second practice. However, he found his rhythm during the final session, delivering a strong qualifying simulation run that established him as a serious competitor for pole position.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished directly behind Antonelli, narrowly missing the top spot. The session underscored the competitive nature of the weekend's grid battle, with multiple drivers showing strong pace across the demanding Sepang layout.
Antonelli's performance represents a notable turnaround for the young driver, who will now be considered among the frontrunners heading into Saturday's qualifying session.