Third practice session at Monza: Russell on top, Verstappen annoyed with Hamilton

A final chance for the 22 Formula 1 drivers to put their cars through their paces in qualifying set-up and during endurance runs. It was another hot day at Monza, with practice starting at 30.8 degrees and the track temperature at 49.4 degrees.

An early cause for concern: Williams driver Alex Albon. “I’ve got a problem with the steering; I can barely turn the steering wheel.” The Thai-British driver will have to drop down the starting grid, as he’s being fitted with new engine components here at Monza – a 20-place grid penalty.

There was hardly any action on the track for a quarter of an hour. The reason: many drivers had used plenty of medium and hard Pirelli tyres on Friday, but the number of these is limited, and they are the two preferred compounds for the race.

After 17 minutes, Championship leader Kimi Antonelli took to the track (still no sign of Ferrari); the 20-year-old from Bologna, as expected, took the lead (on soft tyres), ahead of Max Verstappen (on medium tyres), whose fans were naturally hoping that Red Bull Racing had managed to take a step forward with their set-up overnight.

Then applause from the stands: Ferrari out on track! Lewis Hamilton immediately skidded into the gravel, so his first attempt was a write-off. Leclerc did better: P2 behind Antonelli (on softs), but ahead of Verstappen.

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More mishaps: Grand Prix winner Piastri in the gravel; Red Bull Racing driver Liam Lawson spun at Turn 1. The New Zealander on the radio: “The rear end at low speed – there was nothing I could do.” Possibly a problem with the engine braking.

Verstappen, still on medium tyres, made another attempt but couldn’t improve his time: still second, but 0.435 seconds behind leader Antonelli.

Hamilton pushed harder, but it was only enough for P3. Antonelli was on a better lap but messed up the Parabolica. McLaren driver Piastri moaned over the radio: “Tell me how I’m supposed to do this, because without a slipstream, this is ridiculous.” Russell’s first fast lap wasn’t exactly thrilling either – fifth place.

Standings after 30 minutes: Antonelli, Leclerc, Gasly, Verstappen, Russell, Norris, Hamilton, Colapinto, Lawson and Piastri.

Max received praise from race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase: “That was a good lap in clear air.” Verstappen: “Yes, it was, but we’re too slow to move further up the field; I need a slipstream.”

Piastri pounded the steering wheel of his McLaren: he braked too late before the first corner, so his attempt to slipstream Lando Norris failed.

Then there was a near-crash between Hamilton (who was meandering along the racing line before the Lesmo bends) and Piastri. Verstappen also messed up the first corner and had to take the escape route. But then he improved to P2 behind Antonelli.

After 35 minutes, finally a decent lap from Lewis Hamilton: up to 3rd place. However, it was Mercedes driver George Russell who showed what’s really possible here at Monza – a new fastest lap, a commanding 0.345 seconds ahead of Antonelli, followed by Verstappen, Hamilton and Leclerc, who then moved up to P3 but was almost four tenths slower than Russell.

The Tifosi wondered anxiously: Is there still something in it for Ferrari?

The answer: yes and no – Hamilton was just faster than Leclerc, but also more than three tenths behind leader Russell.

This was followed by a near-collision between Russell and Lawson. Lawson was annoyed because Russell was in his way; Russell apologised over the radio: “I can’t just vanish into thin air.” Behind them, Esteban Ocon was in the middle of the front row – and was furious. He shook his fist at Russell, as the Haas driver’s lap was ruined.

Hope for the Tifosi: Leclerc improved, now just 0.226 seconds behind the leading Russell.

Hamilton complained over the radio: “I can’t see over the rear tyres, so I can’t see the others coming.” Race engineer Santi: “I’m trying to help you as best I can.” Ferrari are running with lower-mounted wing mirrors at Monza to reduce drag.

With 16 minutes to go, he set a faster lap (now 0.45 sec ahead of Leclerc); Verstappen also picked up the pace, sitting second behind Russell, 0.327 sec adrift.

The Italian fans were pinning their hopes on Antonelli and Ferrari: Kimi had climbed to P2, but was two tenths behind Russell.

Then a standout performance from Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad: P3 behind the two Mercedes – wow!

Hamilton made another mistake (after setting the fastest time in the first sector), with Leclerc moving up to P3 ahead of Lindblad.

Max Verstappen was annoyed by Hamilton’s excursion: “That bloody Ferrari, my God, always in the way!”

Both world champions made another attempt: Hamilton up to P2, Verstappen now third.