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via F1iGeorge Russell Leads Practice Sessions Ahead of Italian Grand PrixGeorge Russell emerged as the fastest driver in both practice sessions for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. He topped the timesheets in FP2, closely followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and teammate Kimi Antonelli.
via the-race.comEverything you need to know about Italian GP FP2In the second practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, George Russell topped the timesheets, outperforming Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli. Russell's performance was marked by a strong showing on soft tires, despite ending the session with concerns about his car's suspension. Leclerc attempted to match his earlier pace from FP1 but faced a setback with a spin late in the session.
Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top five, while Max Verstappen struggled with car issues, finishing ninth. The session also saw notable performances from Arvid Lindblad and Ollie Bearman, with Bearman benefiting from an upgraded Ferrari power unit. Overall, the session highlighted competitive dynamics among the teams ahead of the race weekend.Kimi ANTONELLI leads the Practice 2 at MonzaKimi ANTONELLI takes the lead from Charles LECLERC — live from Monza, Italy.Charles LECLERC leads the Practice 2 at MonzaCharles LECLERC takes the lead from Oscar PIASTRI — live from Monza, Italy.
via espn.comLeclerc fastest in first practice at Italian GPIn the first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari achieved the fastest time, setting a record of 1:26.153. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, followed closely in second place, while George Russell secured third. Title leader Kimi Antonelli faced a setback, as he will start from the back of the grid due to a grid penalty for a new engine, finishing fifth in practice. Lando Norris, who has recently won two races, finished sixth in the session, indicating his competitive form.
The session saw several drivers, including Max Verstappen, rotated out as teams fulfilled rookie obligations. Paul Aron emerged as the top rookie, finishing in 10th place. Additionally, the FIA has classified the Italian Grand Prix as a heat hazard amid the ongoing European heatwave, highlighting the challenging conditions for the teams and drivers.
via RacingNews365Oscar Piastri Receives Grid Penalty for Italian Grand PrixOscar Piastri has been penalized with a three-place grid drop for the Italian Grand Prix after impeding Liam Lawson during qualifying. As a result, he will start the race from sixth position instead of third.Untitled storyLiam LAWSON leads the Practice 1 at MonzaLiam LAWSON takes the lead from Charles LECLERC — live from Monza, Italy.George RUSSELL leads the Practice 1 at MonzaGeorge RUSSELL takes the lead from Charles LECLERC — live from Monza, Italy.Untitled story
via f1oversteer.comCharles Leclerc issues ‘isolate myself’ claim as Ferrari driver reveals personal cost of Italian GPCharles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, has shared insights into the personal toll of competing at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where he has experienced immense support from the Tifosi. He emphasizes the importance of isolating himself during the busy race week to recharge, as the demands of the event can be overwhelming, both physically and mentally. Leclerc has won the Italian GP twice, and with Ferrari's upgraded engine, he has the potential to become the second-most successful driver for the team at this event, trailing only Michael Schumacher.
Leclerc recalls the exhaustion he felt after his first victory at Monza in 2019, which lingered into the next race. His journey with Ferrari began in 2019 after a successful career in lower racing categories, and he has since established himself as a prominent figure in Formula 1, boasting nine wins and numerous pole positions. The unique atmosphere at Monza, coupled with the pressure of representing Ferrari, makes this race particularly challenging for him.
via f1oversteer.comFerrari's Strategy at Monza Focuses on Teamwork and SlipstreamingJuan Pablo Montoya has highlighted the importance of teamwork for Ferrari during the Italian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc also emphasized that slipstreaming will be a key factor in the race.
via gpfans.comCharles Leclerc confirms Ferrari exit talks with F1 star honest about 'other opportunities'Charles Leclerc has acknowledged that he explored other opportunities in Formula 1, facilitated by his manager's discussions with rival teams. Despite these talks, Leclerc ultimately chose to renew his contract with Ferrari, where he has been a driver for eight seasons, emphasizing his loyalty to the team and his dream of driving for Ferrari.
In a recent podcast, Leclerc clarified that while he did not engage in negotiations himself, he was informed about potential options by his manager. He remains committed to Ferrari's success and aims to deliver strong performances, particularly as he prepares for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where he hopes to achieve his third victory.
via f1oversteer.comFerrari Introduces Engine Upgrades Ahead of Italian Grand PrixFerrari is set to debut its second engine upgrade of the season at the Italian Grand Prix. Driver Charles Leclerc expressed hope that the performance data from their simulator does not accurately reflect the car's capabilities.
via RacingNews365Leclerc to Assist Hamilton with Tow in Italian GP QualifyingCharles Leclerc plans to provide a tow for his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton during the qualifying session of the Italian Grand Prix. This strategy highlights the importance of teamwork and slipstreaming in the upcoming race.
via Formula1.comLeclerc targets ‘very special’ Monza weekend with new engineCharles Leclerc is optimistic about Ferrari's chances at the upcoming Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where they will debut an upgraded power unit. He aims for a memorable weekend, hoping to secure his third victory with the team at this iconic track, which holds significant personal meaning for him due to his early racing experiences in Italy. Leclerc acknowledges the challenges posed by strong competitors but believes that the engine enhancements will help improve their performance.
Leclerc stresses the importance of executing their strategy perfectly to maximize their chances of success. He reflects on previous wins this season and expresses hope that the upgrades will allow them to put pressure on their rivals. The team is focused on making the car faster, which will benefit both qualifying and the race, as they prepare for what they hope will be a triumphant home race.
via Motorsport.comCharles Leclerc reveals he deleted social media apps from his phone amid F1 2026 hardshipCharles Leclerc, a driver for Ferrari, shared his experience of dealing with negativity during the challenging 2026 Formula 1 season. He decided to delete social media apps from his phone to focus on his performance, especially after facing multiple issues that affected his results, including a late-race accident in Monaco and problems in Barcelona.
Despite the difficulties, Leclerc managed to turn his season around with a victory at Silverstone. He acknowledged the impact of external negativity on his performance and emphasized the importance of concentrating on his driving and the car's setup to overcome the challenges he faced.
via Motorsport.comCharles Leclerc on his belief in Fred Vasseur, odds to win Italian GP, and what Monza means to himIn an interview, Charles Leclerc reflected on his emotional connection to Monza, recalling his victory in 2019 and the overwhelming support from fans. He emphasized the unique atmosphere surrounding the Italian GP, noting how it elevates the experience for drivers and fans alike, creating a special bond with Ferrari.
Leclerc also discussed the challenges of preparing for Monza, highlighting the need to manage fatigue during a demanding race week. He expressed confidence in the new features of Ferrari's SF-26 and his belief in team principal Fred Vasseur's vision, indicating his readiness to embrace the challenges ahead, including the upcoming race in Madrid.
via f1oversteer.comDavid Coulthard Critiques Ferrari's Michael Schumacher Tribute at MonzaFerrari is set to honor Michael Schumacher at the Monza race with a special tribute on their livery and race suits. However, David Coulthard has raised concerns that this tribute may serve as a distraction from the team's performance.
via Motorsport.comDavid Coulthard points to Aston Martin momentum shift after hitting "rock bottom"David Coulthard has expressed that Aston Martin has reached a low point in their performance during the 2026 Formula 1 season but is beginning to recover. The team, which currently ranks 10th in the constructors' standings with only three points from Fernando Alonso, has faced significant challenges, including car and power unit issues. They have made changes, such as introducing a B-spec car and engine upgrades, in hopes of improving their performance.
Coulthard draws parallels between Aston Martin's struggles and McLaren's past difficulties, suggesting that a turnaround is possible. Naomi Schiff, a co-host on the Up To Speed podcast, emphasized the importance of learning and evolution for the team. Despite a tough start, there are signs of progress, and Alonso's recent performance indicates potential for improvement as they head into future races.Page 7 of 13