Russell edges Hamilton in FP3 at Monza as Mercedes lead qualifying charge

George Russell topped the final practice session at the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday, clocking a 1m22.219s at Monza to head into qualifying as the clear Mercedes favourite. Lewis Hamilton slotted in second, 0.226 seconds adrift, with Max Verstappen third and championship leader Kimi Antonelli fourth.

The session opened quietly, with the medium-tyre-shod Alpines briefly leading the way — Franco Colapinto ahead of Pierre Gasly by a tenth — before the frontrunners began their soft-tyre runs. Antonelli raised the bar with a 1m23.032s on his first attempt, but a second run ended prematurely when the Italian ran wide at the final Parabolica corner and had to abandon the lap.

Red Bull’s session was mixed. Liam Lawson, standing in for Sergio Pérez, spun exiting the first chicane, while Verstappen’s improved pace suggested the team had only partially resolved the handling problems that plagued Friday practice. The Dutchman closed to within touching distance of Antonelli’s early benchmark on medium tyres before Mercedes responded.

Russell first posted a 1m22.687s, then improved to 1m22.463s, aided by a deliberate tow from Hamilton as the pair rehearsed slipstream tactics ahead of qualifying. A final run with five minutes remaining produced his session-best 1m22.219s. Hamilton, who benefited from a tow courtesy of Lando Norris, secured second on his own late effort.

Antonelli, who faces a grid penalty for a power unit change and will start from the back on Sunday, still managed second on one of his runs with a 1m22.696s, underlining the pace he will need to recover through the field. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Hamilton are running a 1996-inspired throwback livery this weekend to mark the 30th anniversary of Michael Schumacher’s debut season with the Scuderia.

McLaren had a difficult morning. World champion Norris settled for fifth after the team failed to find the gains it had sought overnight, while Oscar Piastri was a frustrated eighth following multiple lock-ups into Turn 1 and a series of sharp radio exchanges. Leclerc took sixth after struggling to piece together a clean lap.