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Key Points

Lando Norris delivered an impressive performance to top the final practice session at Monza. Charles Leclerc gave the home fans something to cheer about by finishing just 0.021 seconds behind the McLaren driver. The session saw several drivers struggling with the challenging Turn 1 due to tailwind conditions throughout the practice. All teams now turn their focus to the crucial qualifying session that will determine grid positions for the Italian Grand Prix.

Key Points: Norris Tops Monza Final Practice Ahead of Italian Grand Prix Qualifying

  • Norris sets fastest lap of 1m19.331s in final practice
  • Leclerc thrills home fans with second place just 0.021s behind
  • Multiple drivers struggle with Turn 1 due to tricky tailwind conditions
  • Verstappen hampered by wheel-to-wheel moment with Ocon during preparation
2 min read

Formula 1: Norris goes fastest in final practice session ahead of Monza qualifier

Lando Norris leads final Monza practice with 1m19.331s lap, edging Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 0.021s. McLaren's Oscar Piastri third, Verstappen fourth ahead of Italian GP qualifying.

"Norris returned to the top with his 1m 19.331s lap - Session Report"

Monza, Sep 6

Lando Norris topped the timesheets in the final practice session at Monza ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, posting a best lap of 1m 19.331s. Charles Leclerc thrilled the home Tifosi by finishing second, just 0.021s off the McLaren driver, while Norris’ team mate Oscar Piastri claimed third, 0.165s adrift.

The session began slowly, with most drivers spending the opening 10 minutes performing tyre scrubbing on hard compounds. Focus quickly shifted to Qualifying simulations as the track evolved. Lewis Hamilton, carrying a five-place grid penalty from last weekend, was among several drivers—alongside Norris, Ollie Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Carlos Sainz—to run wide at Turn 1 due to tailwind conditions.

Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar was the first to switch to soft tyres but couldn't better team mate Yuki Tsunoda’s earlier time of 1m 20.775s on hards. Max Verstappen later surged ahead with a 1m 20.040s on softs before improving to 1m 19.688s, although his lap was hampered by a wheel-to-wheel moment with Esteban Ocon during preparation laps.

Hamilton briefly moved up to second using mediums, with Alex Albon going third on softs. In the final 15 minutes, Norris returned to the top with his 1m 19.331s lap. Piastri closed the gap but remained third, ahead of Verstappen and George Russell.

Leclerc, despite a scare at Lesmo 2 and an earlier oversteer at Parabolica, recovered on softs to finish second. Bortoleto impressed in sixth ahead of Hamilton, Hadjar, Kimi Antonelli, and Albon.

The rest of the top 20 included Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Sainz, Franco Colapinto, and Tsunoda. Liam Lawson ended 16th after floor damage repairs, followed by Bearman, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll, and Ocon.

Norris had topped the timesheets in the second free practice on Friday evening, while Hamilton had the best time in the first session.

All eyes now turn towards the Qualifying session, scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM IST.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Leclerc giving the Italian fans something to cheer about! Just 0.021s behind - that's heartbreakingly close. Monza magic is real!
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Aditya G
Hamilton with another penalty... feels like he's always carrying some disadvantage this season. Still managed P7 despite that. Respect!
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Sarah B
The Verstappen-Ocon incident shows how tense things are getting. Championship pressure is building up nicely for the final races!
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Vikram M
Qualifying at 7:30 PM IST is perfect timing for us Indian fans! No late nights for a change. Hope it's an exciting session 🤞
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Michael C
While the top teams are exciting, I'm more impressed by Bortoleto in P6! The young drivers are really showing their talent this season.
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Ananya R
The article mentions multiple drivers running wide at Turn 1 due to tailwind. Maybe the track conditions need better management? Safety first!

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