Saturday’s session at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix saw a mix of expected performances and surprising developments, setting the tone for the race that would follow on Sunday. According to Motorsport.com, the first practice session was dominated by the Red Bull RB19, with Max Verstappen clocking the fastest lap at 1:15.432. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, struggled to find consistent pace, posting a best time of 1:16.789, a full second slower than his teammate. The gap between the two teams was a clear indicator of the performance differential that will play out over the race weekend.
Red Bull’s dominance was further highlighted in the second practice session, where Verstappen set a new lap record of 1:14.876, beating the previous record by 0.4 seconds. The team’s engineers attributed the improvement to a refined aerodynamic package that delivered better downforce without compromising top speed. In contrast, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc managed a best lap of 1:15.654, showing that the Italian outfit is still fighting to match the pace of the front‑row teams. The session also saw the debut of a new tyre compound from Pirelli, which teams are eager to test in the high‑speed environment of Monza.
During the final practice, the focus shifted to race simulation. Red Bull’s strategy team ran a full‑race simulation with a 10‑lap stint, while Mercedes opted for a shorter 5‑lap run to fine‑tune their braking setup. The simulation data suggested that the Red Bull RB19 will have a clear advantage on the long straights, while Mercedes’ car will benefit from improved cornering stability. The data also hinted at a potential strategic battle over tyre choice, as the new Pirelli compound is expected to offer a higher performance ceiling but a shorter lifespan.
For Indian fans, the Italian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on FanCode from 1:00 PM IST, with the full race starting at 7:00 PM IST. The Saturday sessions are also available on the FanCode app, allowing viewers to catch the latest practice highlights and team updates. Keep an eye on the live commentary for real‑time insights into the teams’ strategies as the weekend progresses.
Source: Motorsport.com
