George Russell edged out Charles Leclerc to claim the fastest lap in the second practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, signalling Mercedes' intent to answer Ferrari’s early speed at Monza. The British driver posted a time of 1:22.559, beating the Ferrari of Leclerc by 0.120 seconds and outpacing his own teammate Kimi Antonelli by 0.141 seconds, despite the scorching conditions that continued to grip northern Italy.
The weekend is already shaping up as a crucial one for Russell. With championship‑leading teammate Kimi Antonelli forced to start from the back of the grid on Sunday due to an engine‑change penalty, the pressure is on the Mercedes driver to close the 59‑point gap to Ferrari’s lead driver. A strong showing in practice could be the first step toward a much‑needed podium or even a race win, something Russell has not achieved since his triumph in Austria five rounds earlier. Ferrari had dominated the opening practice, posting the top two times after introducing an upgraded power unit.
However, the second session saw a shift in momentum. While Leclerc suffered a late‑stage spin that cost him precious seconds, Russell kept his composure and delivered a clean, blistering lap that placed him at the summit of the timing sheets. The British driver’s performance was a clear statement that Mercedes remains a serious contender, even as the Italian team appears to be finding extra grip from its new engine. Lewis Hamilton, who had been the second‑quickest in the early part of the session, fell back to fifth place after being overtaken by McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Norris, who has won the last two races, posted the fourth‑fastest time, 0.384 seconds shy of Russell’s benchmark. Oscar Piastri, also in the McLaren, was another tenth of a second slower, landing him in sixth place. The McLaren squad, while impressed with the straight‑line speed that Monza’s long sections provide, acknowledges that the tight chicanes and slower corners may expose weaknesses in their current package. The session was not without controversy.
Hamilton expressed anger at what he described as "dangerous" driving from Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, who forced the world champion off the track at the first chicane. The incident was referred to the stewards for a post‑session investigation, highlighting the heightened tension that often accompanies practice at a circuit as historic as Monza. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who sat out the first practice to allow rookie Ayumu Iwasa to gain experience, returned for the second session but was visibly dissatisfied with the balance of his RB22. He managed only the ninth‑fastest time, while his stand‑in teammate Liam Lawson recorded the twelfth‑fastest lap.
Arvid Lindblad, driving a Red Bull‑owned car, was the highest‑placed Red Bull entry in seventh, and Haas youngster Oliver Bearman, piloting an upgraded VF‑26, secured eighth place. Despite not setting the absolute fastest time, Russell’s performance has given Mercedes a positive outlook heading into qualifying.
The team hopes the British driver can translate his practice speed into a pole position and, ultimately, a race victory – achievements that have eluded him since his breakthrough win in Austria. Former driver and Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle praised Russell, saying, "He looked good. This is his big chance to close that deficit this weekend and show that he is very worthy of a world championship. What he desperately doesn't want to have to do is fall into line a few races down the road and protect Kimi Antonelli if there's an onslaught coming from McLaren or Ferrari at his championship lead.
These are key races now for George Russell." Antonelli, meanwhile, is already aware that his weekend will be compromised by the grid penalty that will likely see him start from the back row. Consequently, his Friday program was oriented more toward long‑run performance rather than outright speed.
"Today was a bit of a different day compared to usual," Antonelli said. "A lot more focused on long runs, so it was a bit weird – not going to lie – but overall, it was a good day. We gathered a lot of data and now looking forward to the next few days." The young Italian also highlighted the educational value of running behind other cars on Monza’s extensive straights, noting that the circuit allows for a variety of strategies and setups.
"It's a track where you can do so many different things," he added. "It was interesting in the long run today running behind other cars to see what they were doing differently, where they were deploying compared to us. So it was very interesting. We have gathered a lot of data and now we look forward to tomorrow." The schedule for the remainder of the weekend is packed.
On Saturday, September 5, the day will feature the F3 Sprint, the third practice session for the Grand Prix, the F2 Sprint, and the qualifying sessions for both Formula 2 and Formula 1, culminating in the highly anticipated Italian Grand Prix qualifying. Sunday, September 6, will see the F3 Feature Race, the F2 Feature Race, the Porsche Supercup, and finally the Grand Prix itself, with post‑race analysis and reaction programs slated throughout the afternoon. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract.
The Monza round remains a highlight of the Formula 1 calendar, especially for Ferrari, who are racing on home soil. The combination of high‑speed straights, historic corners, and passionate Italian fans ensures that the Italian Grand Prix will continue to deliver drama, strategy, and unforgettable moments for teams and drivers alike.