George Russell sets fastest lap in second Italian Grand Prix practice
8 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 4:06 PM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026
George Russell led the second practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Thursday. The Mercedes driver clocked a best lap of 1:22.559, finishing ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and his own Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. The session featured a mid-session shootout between the top three drivers while other teams navigated track conditions and car balance issues. Ferrari entered the weekend with an upgraded engine after recording the top two times in the first practice session earlier in the day. Max Verstappen finished ninth in his return to the track, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli prepares for a grid penalty this weekend due to engine changes. Final practice is scheduled for Saturday at 11:30 a.m. followed by qualifying at 3 p.m.
- •George Russell recorded a session-best lap of 1:22.559 at Monza.
- •Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli rounded out the top three in the second practice.
- •Max Verstappen placed ninth after missing the first practice session.
- •Final practice takes place Saturday morning prior to the qualifying session.
- •Kimi Antonelli will serve an engine-change grid penalty for Sunday's race.
- 5:00 PMESPN F1 — Russell goes quickest in second practice in Monza
- 3:18 PMYahoo Sports — Russell tops second practice for F1 Italian Grand Prix
- 3:14 PMAutosport — F1 Italian GP: Russell beats Leclerc to top second practice
- 3:13 PMMotorsport.com — F1 Italian GP: George Russell outpaces Charles Leclerc in FP2
- 3:13 PMYahoo Sports — F1 Italian GP: George Russell outpaces Charles Leclerc in FP2
"George Russell has topped second practice at Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix, nudging Ferrari's Charles Leclerc off the top of the timesheets. Russell set a 1m22.559s lap in the second half of the session as part of a mid-session shootout between the Briton, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Russell's Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who filled the top three. Following tepid laps on hard tyres ...Keep reading
"George Russell has topped second practice at Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix, nudging Ferrari's Charles Leclerc off the top of the timesheets. Russell set a 1m22.559s lap in the second half of the session as part of a mid-session shootout between the Briton, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Russell's Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who filled the top three. Following tepid laps on hard ...Keep reading
"George Russell finished fastest in Free Practice 2 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc splitting the Mercedes drivers as Kimi Antonelli was third.
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Sep 4, 2026, 5:00 PMRussell goes quickest in second practice in Monza
George Russell landed a timely world championship boost by finishing fastest in practice for the Italian Grand Prix.
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 3:18 PMRussell tops second practice for F1 Italian Grand Prix
George Russell of Mercedes was fastest in Friday's second practice for the Formula One Italian Grand Prix at the iconic Monza circuit. Russell clocked 1 minute 22.
- AutosportSep 4, 2026, 3:14 PMF1 Italian GP: Russell beats Leclerc to top second practice
George Russell has topped second practice at Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix, nudging Ferrari's Charles Leclerc off the top of the timesheets. Russell set a 1m22.559s lap in the second half of the session as part of a mid-session shootout between the Briton, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Russell's Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who filled the top three. Following tepid laps on hard ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comSep 4, 2026, 3:13 PMF1 Italian GP: George Russell outpaces Charles Leclerc in FP2
George Russell has topped second practice at Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix, nudging Ferrari's Charles Leclerc off the top of the timesheets. Russell set a 1m22.559s lap in the second half of the session as part of a mid-session shootout between the Briton, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Russell's Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who filled the top three. Following tepid laps on hard tyres ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 3:13 PMF1 Italian GP: George Russell outpaces Charles Leclerc in FP2
Mercedes man George Russell leads second practice for F1's Italian Grand Prix as Ferrari and Mercedes trade blows in Monza
- Sky Sports—Russell tops second practice as Mercedes respond to Ferrari at Monza
George Russell beat Charles Leclerc to the fastest time of second practice at the Italian Grand Prix as Mercedes responded to Ferrari's early pace at Monza.
- Formula1.com—Russell beats Leclerc and Antonelli to FP2 fastest time
George Russell finished fastest in Free Practice 2 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc splitting the Mercedes drivers as Kimi Antonelli was third.
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