Italian GP: Fastest Max Verstappen in final game ahead as Mercedes still slow ahead of Monza qualifier

Max Verstappen was fastest in Practice Three, trailing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by more than three-tenths; Verstappen’s grid penalty for Sunday’s race means a lot of intrigue remains in Monza; watch Italy GP qualifying live on Sky Sports F1 at 3pm on Saturday

Max Verstappen was the fastest in the last practice session at Monza

Max Verstappen was the fastest in the final match before qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix as world champion once again demonstrating the speed advantage over Ferrari.

The Red Bull driver turned the tide against Ferrari, trailing second-placed Charles Leclerc by more than 0.3 seconds after the Italian team topped both Friday sessions at home.

Despite Verstappen’s obvious speed advantage, a lot of intrigue remains in Monza as the Dutchman is among a number of drivers facing net penalties for Sunday’s race.

Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez finished third by almost 0.6 seconds, while Carlos Sainz was slightly behind in fourth.

It was another disappointing session for Mercedes, with George Russell in seventh behind Alpine’s Fernando Alonso and McLaren’s Lando Norris, while Lewis Hamilton finished in 10th.

Nyck de Vries produced a solid performance for Williams

Nyck de Vries has impressed after joining Williams briefly, with Alex Albon ruled out for the rest of the weekend amid hospital treatment for appendicitis.

The Mercedes reserve driver, who is set to make his F1 qualifying and race debut, finished 14th – one-tenth behind teammate Nicholas Latifi.

During the session it was confirmed that Alpine duo Esteban Ocon and Haas Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher would also implement grid penalties, extending the number of drivers doing so to nine. Ocon’s penalty was 5 ranks, while both Haas’ drivers were dropped 15 places.

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Formula one rowing pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on Friday

Verstappen has used the internal combustion engine for the fifth time of the season and as a result, he will have to take a penalty into the net five times, while his Red Bull teammate Perez is taking the penalty 10. .

Ferrari’s Sainz will drop behind the grid alongside Yuki Tsunoda and Lewis Hamilton, with the Mercedes driver’s penalty confirmed on Thursday.

The penalties make Leclerc a favorite starting from the pole, with Alonso more than likely to join him in the front row amid Mercedes struggles.

Sainz, already limited by his penalties, will face the managers before qualifying after forcing Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas to take a dodge action in Round 1, going very slowly. into the opening corner.

The sport continues to pay homage to Queen Elizabeth II, with some cars bearing tribute images.

All the teams on the track observed silence for a minute before Friday’s first practice session, and more pre-race dedications are expected on Sunday.