Marco Rossi · F1-Korrespondent
George Russell claims the fastest lap in the second free practice session ahead of the Scuderia's home race, casting doubt on the red team's morning dominance.
George Russell topped the second free practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Friday afternoon. The Mercedes driver set a time of 1:22.559 on soft tires, edging out Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari by 0.120 seconds. Andrea Kimi Antonelli completed the top three, just 0.021 seconds behind Leclerc but 0.141 seconds adrift of his teammate Russell, nonetheless demonstrating a unified Mercedes assault on the top spot. For the Scuderia, which had showcased a commanding double victory from Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the morning session, it was an untimely reality check, particularly in front of their own tifosi.
Mercedes Turns the Tables
Where Ferrari appeared dominant in the opening practice, the picture shifted markedly in the afternoon. Russell and Antonelli posted their fastest laps on soft rubber, while Leclerc only barely held on. Lewis Hamilton finished fifth, 0.457 seconds down on his teammate, suggesting Ferrari has yet to nail the long-run setup.
McLaren remained in the expected midfield position with Lando Norris fourth and Oscar Piastri sixth, though the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari proved less alarming than it might have been. With Saturday's qualifying typically run on comparable tire compounds, the session points to a tight three-way battle among at least Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, a scenario that adds extra intrigue to the Scuderia's home event.
Antonelli's Home Advantage With a Catch
Formula One – Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, 2026 Dutch GP. Kimi Antonelli
For Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the third-fastest time in the second practice was a strong statement at a weekend already firmly in the spotlight. The championship leader is racing his home event but faces a ten-place grid penalty due to an additional engine change at Mercedes. In the press conferences, he appeared unfazed and focused on his own performance, which is remarkable given the circumstances.
Notably, Max Verstappen finished only ninth, 0.818 seconds adrift and unable to match Mercedes or Ferrari. For the defending champion, that should set off alarm bells, especially since Red Bull traditionally relies on pure power unit speed at Monza. The Scuderia arrived with engine and aero upgrades for its home race, according to reports, though their impact on the pace of Leclerc and Hamilton has been mixed so far.
Incidents and Looking Ahead to Saturday
The session wasn't without incident. According to reports, Lance Stroll unexpectedly cut into Lando Norris's line under braking into Turn One, prompting race control to announce an investigation. Shortly after, Franco Colapinto spectacularly caught a wayward Alpine at the exit of the Ascari chicane, avoiding contact. Gabriel Bortoleto, meanwhile, had to cut his session short after Audi discovered irregularities with his power unit, explaining his drop from eighth in FP1 to fifteenth in FP2.
With Saturday in focus, one more variable enters the equation: the FIA has issued an official heat warning due to expected temperatures above 33 degrees Celsius, mandating driver cooling systems or ballast adjustments. Combined with the tight time delta between Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, the third practice before Saturday afternoon's qualifying promises an intriguing battle for grid positions, with Antonelli's penalty and Verstappen's deficit remaining the real question marks.
