16:15
A 1-2 in FP1, and right up there in FP2. Ferrari could be in for a strong weekend as it honours Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton at Monza for Ferrari
© XPB Images
F1 Monza LIVE: Italian GP reaction after George Russell tops FP2
Live coverage of Friday at the F1 Italian Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Antonelli set for back-of-the-grid start
- Ferrari 1-2 in FP1 as Leclerc fastest
- Gasly's Monaco F1 penalty reapplied
The 13th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place at the Italian Grand Prix.
The Temple of Speed will be bathed in Ferrari Rosso for the weekend, but this colouring is likely to be broken up by fans sporting home hero Kimi Antonelli's merchandise.
The Mercedes driver arrives at Monza with a 59-point advantage over both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, but faces a tough task on Sunday, as an engine penalty, confirmed by his team, will see him start from the back of the grid.
Ferrari has brought its upgraded power unit to the track for the first time, in a bid to close the gap on front-runners Mercedes and McLaren, with Lando Norris having triumphed on the last two weekends for the latter. McLaren will also debut its rotating rear wing, which it has called the H-Wing.
Super-clipping is expected to be a significant issue this weekend, especially on the run to Turn 1 in the race, with energy being spent down the back straight, no heavy braking for the Parabolica, and the main straight immediately following. How drivers manage their energy will be more crucial than ever this weekend.
2026 Italian Grand Prix Friday schedule
FP1 11:30am BST - 12:30pm BST
FP2: 3:00pm BST - 4:00pm BST
04 Sep 2026
16:14
Mercedes enjoyed a strong day with Russell and Antonelli first and third. However, remember that the latter will start from the back on Sunday.
16:10
2026 F1 Italian Grand Prix - Monza Friday Practice Results
2026 F1 Italian Grand Prix - Monza Friday Practice Results
George Russell ended Friday on top at the Italian Grand Prix, setting the pace at Monza.
Russell beat out Charles Leclerc to deny Ferrari the fastest time on Friday with a 1m22.559s effort putting him 0.120s clear.
Ferrari is running a special livery for its home race at Monza
16:05
George Russell heads Charles Leclerc in second Monza F1 practice at Italian GP
George Russell heads Charles Leclerc in second Monza F1 practice at Italian GP
Mercedes’ George Russell set the pace from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in second practice at Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix.
Russell was 0.120 seconds quicker than Leclerc during the soft tyre qualifying simulation runs, with the other Mercedes of championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli ending the second session third in the timesheets.
Georger Russell set the pace in his Mercedes
16:04
We've been very quiet about Aston Martin today, but given all the chassis and PU upgrades, dropping again to P19 and P-last is simply unacceptable. This is a team aiming to be champions in the not-too-distant future. Yes...
16:01
Top 10 in FP2
The top 10 in FP2 are:
- Russell
- Leclerc
- Antonelli
- Norris
- Hamilton
- Piastri
- Lindblad
- Bearman
- Verstappen
- Tsunoda
16:00
Chequered flag
The chequered flag falls on FP2, and Russell is the fastest driver in the session.
15:59
A huge save from Colapinto out of the Ascari chicane. He was on full opposite lock as he skated through the gravel. That was almost a disaster for the Alpine driver.
15:55
Bortoleto pits after reporting an engine problem. It was a new ICE for the weekend, but Audi has spotted a misfire.
15:54
Clearly, the drivers are still pushing, as Leclerc takes a spin but narrowly avoids getting stuck in the gravel. We've got a few battle packs forming on track right now, as Verstappen, Antonelli, and Tsunoda are nose to tail, practicing driving in a pack.
15:51
A wide variety of tyres on show at the moment, but no competitive times. All race simulations right now.
15:47
P2 and 5 for Ferrari so far. Not quite the pace of this morning, but it's a solid performance all the same.
15:45
We're back into the long runs again. One advantage of such a quick track is that you can complete almost an entire Grand Prix distance in a single practice session, so there is no shortage of running.
15:35
Russell returns to the top on his latest effort, with a 1m22.559s moving him 0.120s clear at the top. There is little to split the top three, with Norris, Hamilton, and Piastri following.
15:33
Ferrari re-enter the fray now as Leclerc goes fastest with a 1m22.679s. Hamilton is fourth.
Leclerc leads by 0.007s.
15:31
Hold the phone, Racing Bulls P3 and 4!?!
15:31
Ferrari were about to try a tow, but one of the McLarens has got in the way. Mind games in full effect already.
Not needing to focus on qualifying, Antonelli is back out on hard tyres again.
15:28
Russell completed his effort and it's a 1m22.685s. It puts him fastest by 0.014s.
15:26
We could be set for some more proper quali sims here. Russell and Lawson are both out on softs.
15:22
After 20 minutes, the track has fallen almost completely silent, as drivers return to the pits ready for the long runs.
15:17
Verstappen is reporting having no grip at low speed, and also that the brakes are not working. Just need something on the downshifts, and we'll have completed Verstappen complaint bingo.
15:16
That was a horrible moment from Stroll, as he pulled across on Norris, who was on a hot lap, into the first chicane. Norris was forced to take to the grass in avoidance, and that could have been very nasty.
It has been noted by the stewards.
15:15
After a front wing change, Verstappen goes eighth fastest, 0.533s shy of Antonelli.
15:12
We're seeing a lot of errors at the first chicane so far, with Leclerc the latest driver to miss their braking and take to the escape road. He's third fastest at the moment, behind the Mercedes pair of Antonelli and Russell.
15:09
With his latest effort, Russell goes to third place. It should be noted, that Verstappen, Gasly, Albon and Perez are all driving for the first time this weekend, having sat out FP1 for rookie drivers.