2026 F1 Round 13 Italian Grand Prix FP3: Russell tops Monza again with 1:22.219, Hamilton jumps to second, top eight split by just 0.554s

In the third free practice session for the F1 Italian Grand Prix on September 5, Russell was quickest with a 1:22.219, topping the times again after Friday’s FP2. Hamilton was 0.226s slower in second, while Verstappen was another 0.124s adrift in third.

Slipstream teamwork and a soft-tyre push in the final 15 minutes

In the opening phase, Antonelli set a 1:23.032 on soft tyres and briefly held top spot. Facing a power-unit grid penalty that will send him off from the back, he also provided Russell with a tow during practice: the pair worked together on the run to Parabolica, after which Russell climbed to the top of the timing screens.

With 15 minutes remaining, several drivers bolted on fresh soft tyres, and Russell lowered the benchmark to the eventual session-best 1:22.219. Hamilton and Verstappen then moved up to second and third, with Antonelli fourth on a 1:22.580. Norris, Leclerc, Lindblad and Piastri finished fifth through eighth, with the top eight separated by 0.554 seconds.

Traffic on track and a yellow-flag investigation

Lawson spun at the first chicane, briefly triggering a yellow flag; over the radio, he reported rear-end stability issues in the low-speed corners. Piastri also locked up into Turn 1 and ran wide into the escape road.

Russell was noted by the stewards for allegedly impeding Piastri, but it was later decided that no further investigation was necessary. The exchange between Hamilton and Verstappen, side by side on the main straight and into Turn 2, was also noted, but no investigation followed.

Albon initially returned to the garage with a steering-wheel issue, then resumed running after the problem was solved, and also gave teammate Sainz a tow. The two Williams drivers were additionally set to be investigated after practice for suspected yellow-flag rule breaches.

Full FP3 results