Carlos Sainz Leads the Pack in Italian GP Final Practice Session
In the third Free Practice session of the Italian Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz emerged as the fastest driver, demonstrating his skill and speed. The session, significant for teams and drivers, concluded without major disruptions, setting a competitive stage for the upcoming qualifying rounds.
Key Takeaways:
- Carlos Sainz’s Stellar Performance: Sainz showed remarkable pace in the final practice, clocking the fastest time. His performance positions him as a strong contender for the upcoming qualifying session, highlighting his potential for a solid performance in the Italian Grand Prix.
- Smooth Session with Minor Hitches: The Free Practice session was mostly smooth, with drivers utilizing the full 60 minutes effectively. However, Sergio Perez encountered a setback with a leak in his RB19, prematurely ending his practice run.
- New ‘Alternative Tyre Allocation’ System: This session marked the implementation of the new tyre system first tested at the Hungarian Grand Prix. It involves different tyre strategies across the qualifying rounds, with drivers using hard tyres in Q1, medium in Q2, and soft in Q3, adding a strategic element to the qualifying rounds.
The Italian Grand Prix’s third and final Free Practice session saw Carlos Sainz delivering an impressive performance by registering the fastest lap time, signifying his readiness for the highly anticipated race. His speed and control on the track were evident, outpacing his competitors and setting a high standard for the qualifying rounds.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, not far behind, clinched the second and third fastest times, respectively. This trio’s performance indicates a competitive edge, promising an exciting qualifying session and potentially a thrilling race.
Notably, the session proceeded smoothly, aside from minor traffic issues, allowing drivers to fully leverage the available time. This was especially beneficial for Lance Stroll of Aston Martin, who had previously encountered setbacks, missing FP1 and encountering a technical issue in FP2.
The interruption for Sergio Perez, due to a leak in his RB19, was a significant moment in the session. The Red Bull Racing team’s quick response to address the issue highlighted the challenges teams face in maintaining optimal performance levels.
The introduction of the ‘Alternative Tyre Allocation’ system adds a strategic layer to the qualifying rounds. Drivers and teams must adapt to this system, potentially impacting their performance and strategies. This system, following its trial at the Hungarian Grand Prix, emphasizes the evolving nature of Formula 1 racing tactics.
As the Italian Grand Prix moves into the crucial qualifying rounds, the performances in the final practice session set the stage for what promises to be a gripping contest. Drivers like Sainz, Verstappen, and Hamilton are expected to be key players, while teams will be closely watching the impact of the new tyre allocation strategy on the race dynamics.
Italian GP FP3 Results:
- Carlos Sainz
- Max Verstappen
- Lewis Hamilton
- Charles Leclerc
- Fernando Alonso
- George Russell
- Kevin Magnussen
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Alex Albon
- Sergio Perez
- Lance Stroll
- Liam Lawson
- Yuki Tsunoda
- Oscar Piastri
- Logan Sargeant
- Valtteri Bottas
- Lando Norris
- Esteban Ocon
- Zhou Guanyu
- Pierre Gasly
