Live Coverage: Follow F1 Italian Grand Prix Third Free Practice in Real-Time | Updates & Highlights

Monza Sets Stage for Dramatic Qualifying as Teams Converge

Monza, Italy – Friday’s free Training sessions at the Autodromo Nazionale monza revealed a fiercely competitive field, signaling a potentially explosive qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix. The day underscored the intense battle between leading Formula 1 teams, especially Ferrari and McLaren.

First Practice Sees Ferrari Led

The initial Free Training 1 (VT1) saw Ferrari demonstrate early dominance, with lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc securing a one-two finish. this performance initially suggested a strong weekend for the italian team on their home turf. However, the competitive landscape shifted dramatically in the subsequent session.

McLaren Challenges with Fastest Time

Free Training 2 (VT2) witnessed McLaren’s Lando Norris surge to the top of the timing sheets, establishing the fastest time of the day. This shift in leadership underscored the extremely tight margins between the top contenders.The differences among the leading teams were minimal, with the top six drivers separated by a mere two tenths of a second.

Surprising Performance from Williams

Adding an element of surprise, Williams demonstrated strong pace, emerging as a contender among the frontrunners.This unexpected performance injected further intrigue into the weekend’s dynamic. Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton noted the remarkable closeness of the top fifteen drivers, highlighting the challenging qualifying battle ahead.

What Lies Ahead?

The final Free Training session (VT3), scheduled for 12:30 PM local time, is anticipated to provide further clarity, but early indications suggest that qualifying will be a crucial determinant of grid positions. Will any team be able to establish a significant advantage, or will Monza deliver an enthralling and unpredictable qualifying spectacle?

Did You Know? Monza is one of the oldest Formula 1 circuits, hosting its first Grand Prix in 1922.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on tire strategies during qualifying, as managing tire degradation will be critical at this high-speed track.

Session	Fastest Driver	Team	Time
VT1	lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	N/A
VT2	Lando Norris	McLaren	N/A

What role do you foresee aerodynamics playing in the qualifying session at Monza?
Do you believe Williams can maintain their strong pace and challenge for a top-ten grid position?

Understanding the Monza Circuit

The Autodromo Nazionale monza, frequently enough referred to as the “Temple of Speed,” is renowned for its high-speed layout and long straights. This demands a specific aerodynamic configuration focused on minimizing drag and maximizing top speed. teams typically employ low-downforce setups to optimize performance on this challenging circuit.

Historically, Monza has been a favored venue for overtaking maneuvers due to its long straights and chicane sections.however,the introduction of DRS (Drag Reduction system) has further enhanced overtaking opportunities.The track’s layout also places a significant emphasis on braking performance, as drivers must decelerate rapidly for the chicanes.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the importance of Monza in Formula 1? Monza is one of the most historic and iconic circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, known for its passionate fans and challenging layout.
• What aerodynamic setup is typically used at Monza? Teams typically use a low-downforce aerodynamic setup to maximize top speed on the long straights.
• How important is tire management at monza? Tire management is crucial at Monza due to the abrasive track surface and high speeds, which can lead to significant tire degradation.
• What is DRS and how does it affect racing at Monza? DRS is a system that allows drivers to reduce drag on specific straights, increasing their top speed and facilitating overtaking.
• Which teams have historically performed well at Monza? Ferrari has a strong past record at Monza, benefiting from their home advantage, while McLaren and Mercedes have also achieved success.

Share your predictions for the Italian Grand Prix qualifying session and let us know who you think will take pole position!

What tire compound is expected to be the preferred choice for the majority of the race, and why?

Session Overview: Monza – September 6th, 2025

The third free practice session for the 2025 Italian Grand Prix at the iconic Monza circuit is underway! This 60-minute session is crucial for teams to finalize car setups, evaluate tire performance, and gather final data before qualifying.expect to see drivers pushing the limits as they aim for the fastest lap times. We’re bringing you live updates, key highlights, and insightful analysis as it happens. Keep refreshing for the latest information on the F1 Italian Grand Prix and Monza track action.

Real-Time Updates & Key Moments (14:00 – 15:00 CEST)

14:05 CEST: Session begins! Several drivers instantly head out on track, including Verstappen (Red Bull), Leclerc (Ferrari), and Russell (Mercedes). Initial laps are focused on installation laps and basic systems checks.

14:15 CEST: First representative lap times are coming in. Leclerc sets a provisional fastest lap of 1:22.875, closely followed by Verstappen at 1:23.012. The Italian Grand Prix practice is heating up.

14:25 CEST: Sainz (Ferrari) reports a minor issue wiht his DRS activation. The team is investigating. This could impact his qualifying performance.

14:35 CEST: Bottas (Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber) has a close call at the Ascari chicane, running slightly wide. No damage reported.

14:40 CEST: Verstappen improves his lap time to 1:22.550,taking the top spot. He’s looking incredibly strong around Monza. Focus is now on long runs for tire degradation analysis. F1 qualifying predictions are leaning towards a Red Bull front-row lock-out.

14:50 CEST: Hamilton (Mercedes) is struggling to find pace, currently sitting in P12. Mercedes appears to be experimenting with different wing configurations.

14:55 CEST: Yellow flag! Piastri (McLaren) has run wide at the Parabolica, but manages to avoid hitting the barriers. The session resumes quickly.

15:00 CEST: Session ends! Verstappen finishes on top with a 1:22.550, followed by Leclerc and Alonso.

Fastest Lap Times – Final Results

Here’s a look at the top 10 fastest lap times from FP3:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 1:22.550
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:22.875
3. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:23.110
4. George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:23.250
5. Carlos Sainz (ferrari) – 1:23.300
6. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:23.450
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:23.500
8. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 1:23.600
9. Sergio Pérez (Red Bull Racing) – 1:23.700
10. Valtteri Bottas (Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber) – 1:23.850

Tire Analysis & Strategy Considerations

Pirelli has brought the C3, C4, and C5 compound tires to Monza. The F1 tire strategy for the race is highly likely to revolve around a one-stop strategy, with teams opting for either a medium-Hard or a Soft-Medium combination.

Soft (C5): Offers the most grip but degrades quickly. Ideal for qualifying and perhaps the first stint of the race.

Medium (C4): A good balance between grip and durability. Likely to be the preferred tire for the majority of the race.

Hard (C3): The most durable tire,but offers the least grip. Suitable for a long final stint.

Teams will be closely monitoring tire degradation during the race, notably under braking at the chicanes. Monza’s track characteristics – high speed and long straights – put a significant strain on tires.

Driver Quotes & Team Radio Highlights

Max Verstappen (Red Bull): “The car feels good around here. We made some good adjustments overnight. Still some work to do, but we’re in a good position.”

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “It’s great to be back at Monza with the Tifosi. We’re pushing hard to give them a good result this weekend. The car is improving, but we need to find a bit more pace.”

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes): “We’re struggling a bit with the balance. We’re trying different things,but it’s not quite clicking yet. We need