George Russell Tops Monza Practice by 0.120s as Kimi Antonelli Faces Back-of-Grid Start
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Sep 4
George Russell Tops Monza Practice by 0.120s as Kimi Antonelli Faces Back-of-Grid Start
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Sep 4
Summary
George Russell set the pace in Friday practice at Monza with a 1:22.559 lap, finishing 0.120 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and 0.141 ahead of Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
Antonelli's speed stood out despite a back-of-grid penalty for exceeding engine-component limits after earlier reliability problems, and he was more than 0.2 seconds quicker than Russell on race-simulation runs.
Mercedes used hard tyres in the longer runs, Ferrari softs and Max Verstappen mediums, leaving the race pace picture unclear; Lando Norris was just under 0.2 seconds slower than Russell, while Verstappen was only ninth, 0.818 off the pace.
Ferrari also brought an upgraded engine to Monza, and although its full effect may not show until qualifying and the race, running close to Mercedes on a power-sensitive track offered encouragement after a season-long straight-line deficit.