FORMULA 1 FP2: NORRIS RESTORES THE ORDER, WILLIAMS IS UP FOR A FIGHT
In the second free practice session of Formula 1 Lando Norris set the pace with a fastest lap of 1:19.878, leading a tightly packed field. He was closely followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, just 0.083 seconds behind, and Carlos Sainz who trailed Norris by only 0.096 seconds. Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren secured fourth place, while Lewis Hamilton, despite topping FP1 earlier in the day, finished fifth in his Ferrari, roughly 0.192 seconds off the pace. Max Verstappen slotted into sixth for Red Bull, continuing a close fight at the top.
The session wasn’t without incident. A red flag was triggered when Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli spun and got stuck in the gravel at Lesmo 2. Several other drivers had off-track moments, including Pierre Gasly (Alpine) at Ascari and Alex Albon (Williams) at Lesmo 1.
Meanwhile, McLaren reported hardware issues, with Piastri’s mirror cracking and Norris losing his entirely. Despite the drama, the session showcased just how close the competition is, with the top six drivers separated by mere tenths of a second.
Ferrari showed promising pace in front of their home crowd, but Hamilton’s five-place grid penalty from Zandvoort looms over his weekend. McLaren, however, looked particularly strong, with both drivers in the top four, suggesting they’ll be a real threat heading into qualifying and the race.
Overall, FP2 painted a compelling picture of what lies ahead. The top six were separated by just over two-tenths of a second, signaling a potential qualifying session where every thousandth will count. McLaren’s raw speed and consistent long-run pace suggest they could challenge for victory, while Ferrari’s pace—particularly with Leclerc—is hugely encouraging, even if Hamilton’s grid drop complicates their strategy.
Williams’ resurgence with Sainz near the front is also an exciting storyline, and Verstappen’s lurking presence ensures Red Bull cannot be counted out. As always at Monza, slipstreaming games and track position will play a huge role in qualifying. But if FP2 is any indication, this year’s Italian Grand Prix could be one of the most hotly contested in recent memory.
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