F1 | FP3 | Italian GP | Norris tops the timings ahead of Qualifying

McLaren Racing's Lando Norris during FP3 at 2025 F1 Italian GP.
Photo Credit: McLaren Racing | X
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McLaren Racing’s Lando Norris tops FP3 at the 2025 F1 Italian GP, full report and results below.

On home soil for Ferrari, the team enjoyed a strong start to the weekend with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc leading the way in FP1, while Carlos Sainz managed to sneak himself into the final spot in the top three. In FP2, however, it wasn’t long before a McLaren returned to the top as Lando Norris set the fastest time, with Leclerc and Sainz finishing inside the top three once again. Ahead of Qualifying, teams and drivers will be looking to fine-tune their setups in the final practice session of the weekend.

Time for FP3 at the 2025 F1 Italian GP!

The session got off to a quiet start, with Hülkenberg the first driver out on track, running a set of medium tyres. Following Hülkenberg, both Aston Martins headed out on track to scrub in a set of hard tyres. Soon enough, both Alpines and Tsunoda took to the track.

Gasly was first across the line with a 1:23.965. Following up, his teammate Colapinto went ahead of the Frenchman with a 1:22.736. Flow-vis paint was seen on the sidepods of Tsunoda’s car as he went to the top of the timings with a 1:21.876.

For his first-ever Italian GP as a Ferrari driver, Hamilton left the pits and headed out on track as the Tifosi cheered passionately for the seven-time World Champion. On a set of medium tyres, Hamilton looked set to put in his first fast lap of the session but quickly backed off as he overshot the first chicane.

First driver to set a lap on a set of soft tyres was Hadjar. The Frenchman’s time of a 1:21.052 was enough to slot himself into P2. Soon enough, Hamilton’s next lap was enough to catapult him to the top with a 1:20.953.

First chicane proved tricky

With 45 minutes left on the clock, the first chicane proved tricky for several drivers, as Sainz, Bearman, and Hamilton all ran straight across it. On a set of softs, Verstappen shot to the top with a 1:20.040, with Hamilton improving on his next lap to trail 0.292s behind him.

After beaching his car into the gravel in FP2, Antonelli’s first lap on a set of softs was only enough to go P6. Subsequently, Russell was next to cross the line to go P10 with a 1:20.736. Meanwhile, a big moment for Leclerc as he caught a snap of oversteer at Parabolica.

Still on a set of mediums, Hülkenberg improved his time and slotted himself into P4 with a 1:20.311. As it stood, whilst majority of the grid continued on their Qualifying runs, the McLarens were both on a set of hards and focused on race runs, with Piastri and Norris in P9 and P14 respectively.

Ocon and Verstappen had a tense moment at Turn 1, coming extremely close to making contact. Meanwhile, it was announced that Hadjar will be investigated after the session for failing to follow the race directors’ instructions. Back in the pits, a busy McLaren garage was seen as they worked on Norris’ car, adjusting setups ahead of their next run.

With 23 minutes left on the clock, Verstappen’s 1:19.688 remained the benchmark, followed closely by Hamilton and Leclerc.

Final 15 minutes

The Ferraris had been running on the same set of medium tyres since the start of the session, continuing on their race runs. The McLarens had now swapped their hard tyres for softs, kickstarting their Qualifying simulations. First across the line of the two McLarens was Norris. The Briton shot to the top of the timings with a 1:19.331. Subsequently, Piastri slotted in behind Norris with a 1:19.578.

Hadjar, with an impressive effort, joined the McLarens in the top three, just 0.025s behind Piastri. As the final 10 minutes ticked down, all drivers headed out on their Qualifying simulations. Verstappen improved on his next run, jumping from P6 to P2 with a 1:19.513. Meanwhile, Bortoleto crossed the line and shot himself to P4 before Russell replaced him with a 1:19.515.

During his lap, Leclerc dipped the wheels of his car into the gravel, losing the rear momentarily. Although both Ferraris looked quick, Hamilton radioed the team, looking for ways to extract more speed. Lighting up the timings, Leclerc clocked a purple first sector and slotted in behind Norris, just 0.021s. By the end of the session, the top ten were separated by less than four tenths.

Results for FP3 at 2025 F1 Italian GP:

  1. L. Norris 1:19.331
  2. C. Leclerc
  3. O. Piastri
  4. M. Verstappen
  5. G. Russell
  6. G. Bortoleto
  7. L. Hamilton
  8. I. Hadjar
  9. K. Antonelli
  10. A. Albon
  11. N. Hülkenberg
  12. F. Alonso
  13. C. Sainz
  14. F. Colapinto
  15. Y. Tsunoda
  16. L. Lawson
  17. O. Bearman
  18. P. Gasly
  19. L. Stroll
  20. E. Ocon