Max sixth in final free practice in Monza

Published on 31 August 2024 by Florence Cobben

Max Verstappen, driving his Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20, finished sixth in the final free practice of the Monza Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell proved their Mercedes' mettle by placing first and second. Charles Leclerc dazzled the devoted tifosis on the red stained Italian circuit by coming third, beating both McLarens.

Before the third free practice of the Italian Grand Prix, Mercedes announced their new driver for 2025, Kimi Antonelli, who would receive the torch from Lewis Hamilton. The 18-year-old Italian, who crashed out on Friday in the first practice, will debut next to teammate George Russell. 

At 31 degrees Monza is red hot. 15 minutes after the start of the session, Max drives onto the track on a set of mediums and sets a 1:20.950 lap time, a lap only surpassed by Oscar Piastri on softs. George Rusell and Lewis Hamilton are right behind, separated by only a couple of tenths. Moments later Lando Norris goes to P1 on soft tyres (1:20.787), but quickly has to hand the covetted positionover to Carlos Sainz (1:20.742).

It is then the Spaniard's turn to concede first place to Russell, who, on mediums, has set the fastest lap (1:20.796). Hamilton, too, manages to improve and sets a time of 1:20.766, earning him P3. With just 37 minutes to go, Charles Leclerc again delights Ferrari's home crowd and claims first place (1:20.614). 

Max, demoted in the meantime to P7, returns to the track on mediums and attempts a long run. Alex Albon drives his Williams on softs to P1 (1:20.596), before passing the torch to both Ferraris. After 11 laps, Max returns to the pits. 

With just a quarter of an hour to go, Leclerc again sails to P1 on used softs, setting a time of 1:20.226. Norris falls short of Charles' time by 36-thousandths of a second, but Piastri is a hundredth faster than his teammate, securing him second. In the last twelve minutes, Max emerges for the first time on softs, and the Dutchman goes from P9 to P6 (1:20.368), while the Mercedes of Hamilton (1:20.117) and Russell make their way into P1 and P2. Max informs his team that the car turns poorly in the slow and medium turns. 

In spite of a purple third sector, the car is wanting in the second sector and Max does not set a faster lap in his last round. 

Contest Italian GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing cap!

Results third free practice Italy: