Russell edges Leclerc in second Italian GP practice

George Russell edges out Charles Leclerc to top spot in second practice at the Italian Grand Prix.

Russell was in control throughout the final Friday session, setting the benchmark at 1m22.559s thanks to a strong pair of opening sectors – although the Englishman didn’t set a purple time in any split. It was an otherwise untroubled session for the pre-weekend victory favorite bar a query at the end of the session over a vibration problem at the front of the car.

Leclerc was only 0.12s adrift after his initial soft run and was fastest in the final sector, from the Ascari chicane to the finish line. That was despite Leclerc spinning his Ferrari through Ascari late in the session while on a simulation run on worn softs.

Title leader Kimi Antonelli was third, just 0.021s further back. The Italian was the fastest driver through the middle split – from the Roggia chicane to the approach to Ascari – and was faster than his session-topping teammate in the final sector though, with his deficit all in the opening part of the lap. Antonelli also used worn soft tires for his timed lap, having been balked by an Audi at Parabolica preparing for his first attempt.

Lando Norris reduced his margin to the leaders to 0.384s for McLaren, moving himself ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who was fifth and 0.457s off the pace in his Ferrari.

Oscar Piastri was sixth, 0.469s off top spot in the second McLaren.

Arvid Lindblad led the midfield for Racing Bulls, 0.79s adrift, beating Oliver Bearman, the only Haas driver equipped with the new Ferrari engine this weekend.

Max Verstappen was underwhelming in ninth and 0.818s off the pace in his first session of the weekend. He complained early of front wing problems, returning to pit lane for a nose change, and then of issues with the brakes before setting his fastest time, which was particularly deficient in the middle sector. During his long run he told his engineer that his Red Bull was “jumping a lot more now,” particularly at the front axle.

Yuki Tsunoda, competing for Racing Bulls, completed the top 10 in 0.896s off the pace.

Franco Colapinto led the way for Alpine ahead of Liam Lawson, Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly, while Gabriel Bortoleto in 15th ended the session early with a suspected engine problem.

Williams teammates Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz followed in 16th and 17th ahead of Esteban Ocon, the Frenchman’s Haas still running an older specification, less powerful Ferrari engine.

Fernando Alonso was 19th for Aston Martin ahead of Cadillac teammates Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.

Lance Stroll completed the order in 22nd. The Canadian will see the stewards after the session for unexpectedly moving into Norris’s path in the braking zone for the first chicane, forcing the McLaren driver to take evasive action off the circuit.

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