George Russell Secures Pole Position With the Help of Kimi Antonelli

Pole position qualifying at Monza, where the third and final free practice session of the Italian Grand Prix ended with George Russell on top. The Mercedes driver clocked a time of 1:22.219, finishing 226 thousandths ahead of his compatriot Lewis Hamilton.

The session was largely characterized by slipstreaming tests, a factor that is also set to play a significant role in the official qualifying session. Teams and drivers worked on strategies for the battle for pole position, seeking the right balance between lap performance and the aerodynamic advantage provided by the car ahead.

Behind the two Mercedes cars was Max Verstappen, who posted the third-fastest time, 350 thousandths behind Russell. The Dutchman, last year’s winner, was at the center of a preliminary duel with Hamilton toward the end of the session. The seven-time world champion was, in fact, forced to run wide at the Prima Variante braking zone while battling the Red Bull.

Kimi Antonelli set the fourth-fastest time in the second Mercedes, while reigning world champion Lando Norris finished fifth, 406 thousandths of a second off the top. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, drove the No. 16 Ferrari SF-26 to sixth place, 489 thousandths behind. Behind the Monegasque driver was Arvid Lindblad in the Racing Bull, 505 thousandths behind Russell. Oscar Piastri set the eighth-fastest time, followed by the two Alpine-Mercedes cars driven by Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, who rounded out the top ten.