Russell Leads FP3 at Monza, Hamilton and Verstappen Revive 2026 Battle

In the final practice session before qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, George Russell set the fastest time, leaving a strong impression for Mercedes on the high-speed Monza circuit. However, the most notable moment of the session came from the heated confrontation between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, which reminded fans of their 2026 title battle. The third practice session (FP3) took place under ideal weather conditions, offering teams a chance to test low-downforce aerodynamic packages optimized for the high-speed straights. Russell, with a perfect lap, was 0.226 seconds faster than teammate Hamilton. Verstappen, representing Red Bull, finished third, while rookie Andrea Antonelli – driving for Mercedes – took fourth, 0.361 seconds behind Russell. Notably, Antonelli will face a grid penalty due to the engine change, despite his impressive pace. This means the Italian driver will virtually have to fight from the back of the grid in the main race. The most shocking event was the clash between Hamilton and Verstappen at the chicane. Both drivers repeatedly blamed each other over the radio. This image immediately recalled their intense battles during the 2026 season, heating up the atmosphere ahead of qualifying. Mercedes showed a strong comeback at Monza, a circuit they dominated for many years. With three cars in the top four, Toto Wolff's team is targeting pole position, despite competition from Red Bull and McLaren. Lando Norris, who had won the previous two races, could only manage fifth, but that doesn't fully reflect McLaren's potential in qualifying. In other developments, the FIA ruling stripped Alpine of a podium after McLaren and Red Bull successfully appealed, causing Pierre Gasly to lose his third-place finish at Monaco. This signals that teams are willing to use legal channels to protect their interests, highlighting off-track competitiveness and strategy. Additionally, news about F1 launching the 2027 season with a festival in Milan was also mentioned. This move is likely a strategic step to strengthen its presence in Italy, especially with Hamilton joining Ferrari next year. With the FP3 results, Mercedes holds a psychological advantage ahead of qualifying. However, as years of observing practice sessions show, times in these sessions often don't reflect the true performance picture due to fuel loads, engine modes, and tire changes. Thus, the battle for pole at Monza remains wide open.