Mercedes reveals Italian GP tow plan in FP3 as Hamilton and Verstappen almost crash

Mercedes practiced a tow strategy in FP3 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, with George Russell achieving the fastest lap time. Kimi Antonelli, who will start from the back of the grid due to an engine penalty, participated in the session and provided Russell with a tow that helped him improve his time significantly. The session saw various incidents, including Alex Albon's steering issues and Lewis Hamilton's near-miss with Max Verstappen as they both navigated traffic on the track.

The session concluded with Russell leading the timesheet, followed closely by Hamilton and Verstappen. Notably, Charles Leclerc had his lap time reinstated after initially being deleted for track limits, showcasing the competitive nature of the session. The high track temperature and the strategic use of slipstreaming were key factors influencing the performance of the drivers during FP3.