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George Russell emerged fastest in the final practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, strengthening his position as a leading contender for pole at Monza. The Mercedes driver posted a 1:22.219 to top his second session of the weekend, following his FP2 success.
Lewis Hamilton was Russell’s closest challenger in his Ferrari, finishing 0.226 seconds behind. Max Verstappen completed the top three, but the margins behind Hamilton underlined how closely matched the leading cars were: only just over two-tenths separated second place from Arvid Lindblad in seventh.
The result continues the Mercedes-Ferrari battle that developed in Friday’s running, with Russell now carrying the clearest practice momentum into qualifying.
The search for a useful tow dominated the final phase of the session, as drivers attempted to gain an advantage on Monza’s long straights. Kimi Antonelli initially led the times, although his 30-place grid penalty for an engine change means his practice pace will not translate into a strong starting position.
Russell took the top spot with a lap aided by a tow from Antonelli through Curva Grande and into Turn 4. Hamilton, meanwhile, benefited from a slipstream behind Oscar Piastri’s McLaren. The Ferrari driver then moved into second on his second soft-tyre attempt after abandoning his first run despite going fastest through the opening sector.
Verstappen recorded a 1:22.569, just 0.011 seconds ahead of Antonelli in the sister Mercedes. Lando Norris was fifth for McLaren, followed by Charles Leclerc, Lindblad, Piastri, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.
The session ended with several incidents under investigation. Verstappen was noted by the stewards after divebombing into Turn 1 following an incident with Hamilton at the end of the lap, with the Red Bull driver believing Hamilton had aggrieved him at Parabolica.
Williams drivers Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon were also set to be investigated for yellow-flag infringements. Russell, however, escaped sanction over an alleged impeding incident involving Piastri at Lesmo 1.
Qualifying is scheduled for 15:00 local time, or 14:00 BST, with Russell’s pace making him the benchmark ahead of the fight for pole.
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