Norris Edges Leclerc in Tight Italian GP FP3 Ahead of Qualifying

Lando Norris of McLaren set the fastest time in the third practice session (FP3) of the Italian Grand Prix, narrowly beating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with his teammate Oscar Piastri in third place. This sets the stage for a critical qualifying session at Monza, where margins are expected to be extremely tight.

Why it matters:

This FP3 result highlights McLaren's strong pace, particularly with Norris and Piastri, making them key contenders for pole position. Ferrari, however, showed significant threat at their home race with Leclerc, suggesting that qualifying will be a fierce battle. Red Bull's Max Verstappen also demonstrated improved pace, indicating a closer fight than initially anticipated.

The big picture:

McLaren appears to have a strong package at Monza's high-speed circuit, but Ferrari's home advantage and Leclerc's determination make them a formidable challenger. Red Bull, despite their struggles at Monza in previous seasons, is showing signs of being in the mix, potentially turning a two-way fight into a three-team contest.

The details:

• Norris recorded a lap time of 1m19.331s, a mere 0.021s quicker than Leclerc's impressive 1m19.352s. Piastri was close behind, securing third with a 1m19.496s.
• Leclerc's performance was notable despite encountering several moments of oversteer, showcasing Ferrari's potential.
• Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, finished an encouraging fourth with a 1m19.498s, just 0.002s off Piastri, boosting Red Bull's optimism for qualifying.
• George Russell of Mercedes secured fifth, while Sauber's rookie Gabriel Bortoleto was a surprise package in sixth. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar also made it into the top eight.
• Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes recovered from an early exit in FP2 to post the ninth fastest time, ahead of Williams' Alex Albon.

What's next:

The qualifying session for the 2025 Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to follow shortly, promising an intense fight for pole position based on these incredibly close FP3 results.