Norris leads FP3 at Monza by 0.021s over Leclerc as top 20 are within a second ahead
Lando Norris set the pace in the final practice session for the 2025 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, edging out Charles Leclerc by just 0.021s in a thrillingly close FP3 that saw the top 20 covered by less than a second. The McLaren driver’s 1:19.331 was only four thousandths shy of last year’s pole time, underlining just how quick the track conditions have become ahead of qualifying.
FP3 Recap: Norris Leads, Ferrari Right There
The session began quietly, with most teams holding back their soft tyre runs until the final 20 minutes. Early laps on hards and mediums saw Yuki Tsunoda briefly top the timesheets, while several drivers – including Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman – had off-track excursions through the gravel, a recurring theme this weekend.
Max Verstappen was the first of the frontrunners to bolt on softs, immediately going quickest with a 1:19.688, faster than Norris’ FP2 benchmark. Ferrari initially ran mediums, with Leclerc showing strong pace and twice saving big rear-end snaps through Parabolica and the Lesmos.
As the final runs began, McLaren unleashed both cars on fresh C5s. Norris delivered a superb lap, combining the fastest middle and final sectors to go top, while Oscar Piastri slotted into P3, just 0.165s back. Verstappen improved but was shuffled to fourth as Leclerc’s late flyer split the McLarens.
Behind them, George Russell took fifth for Mercedes, ahead of an impressive Gabriel Bortoleto in the Kick Sauber. Lewis Hamilton was seventh, followed by Isack Hadjar – who will be investigated post-session for failing to follow escape road instructions at Turn 4 – Kimi Antonelli, and Alex Albon rounding out the top ten.
Final Classification – FP3 Top 10
- Lando Norris – McLaren – 1:19.331
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari – +0.021
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren – +0.165
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull – +0.167
- George Russell – Mercedes – +0.184
- Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber – +0.227
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari – +0.267
- Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls – +0.272
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes – +0.365
- Alex Albon – Williams – +0.389
Key Takeaways
McLaren’s One-Lap Edge
Norris’ lap was a statement ahead of qualifying, with both McLarens showing strong low-fuel pace. Sector data revealed McLaren’s strength in the technical middle sector, where Norris and Piastri were first and second quickest.
Ferrari in the Fight
Leclerc’s top speed through the traps (352 km/h) and fastest sector one time suggest Ferrari’s low-downforce package is working well. The Monegasque will be a serious pole contender, especially with the Tifosi behind him.
Red Bull Close, But Not Dominant
Verstappen’s straight-line speed advantage (fastest at 354 km/h in the speed trap) didn’t translate into a session-topping lap. The RB21 looks competitive, but the margins are razor-thin.
Midfield Standouts
Bortoleto’s P6 on mediums was one of the surprises of the session, while Albon kept Williams in the top 10. Hadjar’s pace was strong, but his Turn 4 incident could bring a penalty.
Ultra-Tight Field
Just 0.973s covered all 20 cars – a rare sight in modern F1 and a sign that qualifying will be fiercely contested.
What to Watch for in Qualifying
- Tow tactics: Expect slipstream games down Monza’s long straights, with teams practicing them in FP3.
- Track limits & gravel traps: Several drivers flirted with disaster; one mistake could ruin a lap.
- Ferrari vs McLaren vs Red Bull: Three teams look capable of pole, with Mercedes lurking.
With the top three separated by less than two tenths and the entire grid within a second, qualifying at Monza is set to be a high-speed chess match where precision, timing, and teamwork could decide the front row.