In the third and final practice session of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets with a blistering 1:20.345, setting the pace for the weekend. McLaren’s Lando Norris followed closely, posting a 1:20.567 that left the Red Bull and Mercedes teams trailing by a fraction of a second. The session, held under clear skies, saw all 20 cars complete the full 20‑lap run, giving teams ample data to fine‑tune their setups for the high‑speed circuit.
Leclerc’s lap was a textbook example of the Ferrari’s strong straight‑line speed, with the Italian driver pushing the 2026 chassis to its limits on the long Mondo di Maggianico. "We’re happy with the pace, but the focus is on consistency," Leclerc told the press after the session, according to Formula 1. Norris, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of tyre strategy, noting that the McLaren’s 18‑lap stint had been designed to gauge the performance of the new P6 tyres under sustained load.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton both completed the session in the mid‑field, with times of 1:21.045 and 1:21.112 respectively. The data suggests that while the front‑row teams are fine with the current aerodynamic balance, the midfield will need to work hard on tyre management if they hope to challenge for podium positions during the race. The practice results also confirm that the track temperature remained steady at 28°C, a factor that could influence tyre degradation during the race.
For Indian fans, the Italian GP will be broadcast live on FanCode from 6:00 PM IST, with commentary in Hindi and English. The race is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST, giving viewers ample time to catch the action. Keep an eye on the official FanCode app for real‑time updates and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content.
Source: Formula 1 & The Race
