Norris Edges Leclerc in Tight Italian GP FP2

Lando Norris narrowly topped the Italian Grand Prix FP2 session, setting a 1m19.878s lap. He finished just 0.004s ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, with Williams' Carlos Sainz a further 0.005s back, highlighting an incredibly tight field. The top 10 cars were separated by less than half a second, indicating a thrilling qualifying battle ahead.

Why it matters:

The razor-thin margins in FP2 suggest that the Italian Grand Prix weekend will be highly competitive. McLaren's strong performance, Ferrari's battle on their home circuit, and a surprisingly quick Williams (with Carlos Sainz in the mix) are setting the stage for an unpredictable fight for pole position.

The details:

• Top Performers: Lando Norris led, followed by Charles Leclerc and Williams' Carlos Sainz, showcasing the tightest margins seen this season.
• Piastri's Day: Oscar Piastri, back in the car after missing FP1, secured fourth but faces a stewards' investigation for allegedly rejoining the track prematurely after a red flag.
• Technical Glitches: Both McLaren drivers reported unusual mirror issues; Oscar Piastri noted a cracked mirror, while Norris's mirror detached entirely.
• Red Flag Incident: The session was briefly halted when Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli spun out at the second Lesmo corner, ending his FP2 early.
• Other Contenders: Max Verstappen placed sixth for Red Bull, while Alex Albon (Williams), Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber), Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull Racing), and George Russell (Mercedes) completed the top 10. The midfield remained incredibly close, with 17 drivers within a second of Norris's leading time.

What's next:

With sunny skies forecast for Saturday, anticipation builds for FP3 and qualifying. McLaren, Ferrari, and Williams appear to be firm contenders at the front, promising a fiercely contested fight for pole position at Monza. Track action resumes at 12:30pm local time.