Archive · 5 Sep 2026
George Russell Leads Final Practice Ahead Of Monza Qualifying
George Russell was the fastest driver in the last practice session before qualifying at Monza.
He drove a lap in 1 minute and 22.219 seconds.
Lewis Hamilton was second and Max Verstappen was third.
Russell and Hamilton’s Mercedes cars showed strong speed on the fast track.
Kimi Antonelli finished fourth, but he is expected to start Sunday’s race from the back because of an engine change.
Antonelli is also expected to help Russell by providing a tow during qualifying.
A yellow flag appeared when Liam Lawson spun at the first chicane.
Qualifying will decide the starting positions for the race.
George Russell set the fastest time in final practice at Monza with a lap of 1:22.219.
Lewis Hamilton finished second, just over two-tenths of a second behind Russell.
Max Verstappen improved to third after placing ninth in the second practice session.
Kimi Antonelli was fourth, while Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc completed the next two positions.
Arvid Lindblad, Oscar Piastri, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto rounded out the top 10.
- Who
- George Russell led the session, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
- What
- Russell topped final practice before qualifying with a time of 1:22.219.
- When
- During the final one-hour practice session ahead of Saturday qualifying.
- Where
- The Autodromo Nazionale Monza in Italy.
- Why
- Drivers were completing their final practice runs before qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.
- Fastest driver
- George Russell
- Fastest lap
- 1 minute 22.219 seconds
- Second place
- Lewis Hamilton
- Third place
- Max Verstappen
- Session location
- Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Italy
- Notable incident
- Liam Lawson spun at the first chicane, bringing out yellow flags
- Kimi Antonelli
- Finished fourth and is set to start Sunday’s race from the back after a planned engine change