> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.the-race.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Russell fastest in final Italian GP practice - URL: https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/russell-fastest-in-final-italian-gp-practice/ - Published: 2026-09-05T11:52:02.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-05T11:52:02.000Z - Description: George Russell led former team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the final practice session at the Italian GP - Author: Valentin Khorounzhiy - Tags: Formula 1, #italian-grand-prix, #george-russell, #image-center-right, #mercedes, #primary_homepage_feature Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell marked himself out as favourite for Italian Grand Prix pole position by setting the pace in final practice at Monza. Russell and team-mate Kimi Antonelli spent part of the session practicing the tows that are likely to play a significant role in the fight for pole position in qualifying, though Russell looked fast with and without assistance. His final effort - a 1m22.219s that was three tenths clear of Friday's FP2 benchmark - came without a tow from Antonelli (who has grid penalties this weekend) and was 0.226s faster than the next-best time, set by Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen was third as Red Bull's single-lap pace appeared in a much better place than on Friday, though he and Ferrari driver Hamilton did have a minor on-track altercation at the end of FP3 that was noted by the stewards. Hamilton jumped ahead of Verstappen entering the Alboreto (Parabolica) corner, with Verstappen subsequently giving Hamilton a thumbs-up as they crossed the start/finish line to indicate his lap had been compromised and then running deep into the first corner to ensure Hamilton could not take the apex. Championship leader Antonelli was fourth ahead of Lando Norris, the winner of the past two races, in the best of the McLarens. His team-mate Oscar Piastri set the fastest first sector of all on his final attempt and was still inside Russell's benchmark through sector two, but ended the lap more than half a second down and only eighth-fastest - a clear indication of the varying energy deployment patterns teams are working to this weekend. Between them were Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari and the Racing Bulls of Arvid Lindblad, who for a while at the end of the session held the fastest final sector courtesy of a huge tow from the Audi of Nico Hulkenberg. That partly accounted for Lindblad's gap to the next-best midfield driver, Pierre Gasly, who finished the session ahead of team-mate Franco Colapinto as the Alpine duo rounded out the top 10. Liam Lawson had a difficult start to Saturday in the second Red Bull, looping his RB22 as he got on the power - and the kerb - through the first chicane. He finished the session in 12th, the best part of a second off Russell and more than six tenths down on Verstappen. At the back, Fernando Alonso improved late on to lead the Aston Martin-Cadillac quartet that once again looks cut adrift. ## FP3 times 1 George Russell (Mercedes) 1m22.219s 2 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.226s 3 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.350s 4 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.361s 5 Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.406s 6 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.489s 7 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +0.505s 8 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.554s 9 Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +0.679s 10 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +0.882s 11 Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) +0.907s 12 Liam Lawson (Red Bull) +0.984s 13 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +1.079s 14 Ollie Bearman (Haas) +1.366s 15 Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) +1.598s 16 Carlos Sainz (Williams) +1.656s 17 Esteban Ocon (Haas) +1.801s 18 Alex Albon (Williams) +2.218s 19 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +2.700s 20 Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) +2.785s 21 Sergio Perez (Cadillac) +2.812s 22 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +3.336s