Max ends last training in Monza on P2

Published on 02 September 2023 by Florence Cobben

Carlos Sainz was the fastest man on track during the third free practice at the Italian Grand Prix. He was circa eight-hundredths faster than Max Verstappen, who claimed second place. Lewis Hamilton set the third fastest time on the Monza circuit, followed by Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso, who rounded out the top five. 

The third free practice starts with partially cloudy skies at a 26-degree temperature, with a track temperature of 39 degrees. When the lights turn green, viewers see a mix of soft and medium tyres take to the track. Lance Stroll, who was not able to set a lap yesterday, starts on hard tyres. During FP1, Felipe Drugovich sat behind the wheel of Lance Stroll's Aston Martin, and during FP2 Stroll dropped out of training due to technical problems.

Max’s first time is a 1:21.838 on soft tyres, thanks to a strong second sector. He is one of the last drivers to set a time, but immediately tops the timesheets. He is around six-tenths faster than Lando Norris in P2. Pérez takes P2 from Norris mere moments later, but is still around three-tenths slower than Max.

Max improves his time to a 1.21.687. He is seen returning to the pits. When Max and his teammate return to the track, both of them begin long runs. Kevin Magnussen amazes the crowd by setting the third fastest time, about half a second behind Max. Halfway through the session, the top five are as follows: Verstappen, Pérez, Magnussen, Hamilton and Sainz. All drivers set their fastest times on softs.

The men at Williams are quick on the straights. Albon claims second place on medium tyres. With 20 minutes to go, McLaren seems to be struggling. Norris’ fast lap is heavily impeded, meanwhile, Oscar Piastri makes a short trip through the gravel. However, after a quick check in the pits, the Australian is back on the track. Zhou Guanyu gets a black-and-white warning flag for impeding Norris.

At the start of the last leg of the training, a number of drivers are in the pits. Nevertheless, in the last 15 minutes, faster times are being set. Hamilton takes P1, which Max reclaims with a time of 1:20.998. Max loses the position out to Sainz, to the loud cheers of the Tifosi. Sainz set a time of 1:20.912, and is therefore a fraction faster than Max. The black-and-white warning flag is waved again, this time for Sainz, who impeded Piastri.

When the timer hits zero, it’s Sainz who is the fastest man on track. Max claims second, followed by Hamilton, Leclerc and Alonso.

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Results third free practice Italy: