Charles Leclerc set the pace in Free Practice 2 at Monza, posting a best time of 1:22.679 on soft tires, according to FormulaPassion.it. Lewis Hamilton trailed him by 337 milliseconds, while Mercedes’ George Russell secured third place. Ferrari’s dominance continued despite the team’s “impolverate” (dusty) performance in this session, with Leclerc and Hamilton both using medium tires. The Scuderia’s strong showing at their home race came as a significant boost ahead of the Italian GP.
Ferrari’s Strong Performance in FP2
F1 LIVE: Ferrari continue surge in Italian GP FP2
In the session, Leclerc completed 17 laps on hard tires, posting a time of 1:26.376 at the 13th lap, while Russell recorded 1:25.742 on hard tires at the 10th lap. Leclerc also completed a long-run on soft tires, starting at 1:27.087, according to FormulaPassion.it. Hamilton, meanwhile, faced a technical issue on his front right wheel during stints, leading to a “gincana” (slalom) through polystyrene panels. Despite this, he finished fourth behind both Mercedes drivers, 337 milliseconds behind Russell.
Leclerc’s performance was marred by a 360-degree spin during a long-run, which he executed flawlessly before continuing without incident. The incident was noted by FormulaPassion.it, which described it as a “piroetta(spinning maneuver) that showcased his composure. Verstappen also faced challenges, with his team radio reporting
eccessivi saltellamenti” (excessive bouncing) of his car, while Argentine driver Franco Colapinto narrowly avoided a wall in the Ascari corner at high speed.
Antonelli’s Grid Position and Strategy
This decision placed him 59 points ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in the Drivers’ standings, a situation that has his work cut out for him at his home race this weekend,
as noted in the source. Antonelli expressed relief at the pressure being off, stating, I think in some ways it helps to release pressure. Although I'd very much rather fight for pole and start at the front. But in some ways, I feel like it makes me a bit more relaxed going into the weekend.
Antonelli also indicated he might assist Russell during qualifying by giving him a tow, as he said, I think also that's why I'm going to be able to enjoy more the driving and the weekend itself.
He emphasized the opportunity to try something different during the weekend, different work method as well, in free practice especially, because, you know, we have the chance to do so.
The power unit change, which exceeded his allocated components, was a strategic move to preserve resources for the remainder of the season.
Antonelli’s FP2 session included a focus on a qualifying simulation, where he posted a time of 1:25.773 on hard tires, finishing third behind Russell and Hamilton. This performance highlighted his ability to adapt to the challenges of Monza’s high-speed layout, despite his grid penalty. The decision to start from the back was intended to allow Antonelli to conserve his power unit for critical races later in the season.
Round 13 of the 2026 Season
F1 LIVE: Follow FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix
The Italian Grand Prix marked Round 13 of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, with teams competing for crucial points in the Constructors’ and Drivers’ standings. Ferrari, led by Leclerc and Hamilton, aimed to close the gap on Mercedes, which currently holds the lead in the Constructors’ Championship. The race at Monza, known as the Temple of Speed,
is a key event for both teams, with its high-speed straights and technical corners testing the limits of car performance and driver skill.
Ferrari’s Tribute to Schumacher
Ferrari paid tribute to Michael Schumacher with a special livery on Charles Leclerc’s car, featuring the seven stars from Schumacher’s helmet and his personal logo. Additionally, Sebastian Vettel was set to drive Schumacher’s 2002 F2002 car during a celebratory run before the race, a gesture highlighting the Scuderia’s connection to its storied history. This tribute underscored the emotional significance of Monza for Ferrari fans and the team’s commitment to honoring its past while competing fiercely in the present.
The session also saw four rookies—Colton Herta (Cadillac), Ayumu Iwasa (Red Bull), Paul Aron (Alpine), and Luke Browning (Williams)—getting their first taste of FP2, as noted in Source 3. Their participation added to the competitive atmosphere, with each driver aiming to make an impression in their debut at Monza.
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