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George Russell fastest in second practice at Monza, Verstappen complains

George Russell recorded the fastest time in the second practice at Monza, while Max Verstappen struggled.

4 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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George Russell fastest in second practice at Monza, Verstappen complains — Photo: Liauzh · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

George Russell set the fastest time in the second free practice for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The Mercedes driver was 0.120 seconds quicker than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who recorded the second-fastest time. Kimi Antonelli finished third but will start from the back of the grid on Sunday due to an engine change.

Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, missed the first practice on Friday but had to push hard during the second session. He continuously complained about his car, which appeared to be underperforming. In the second practice, he could not keep up with the competition from Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes.

Ultimately, Verstappen finished ninth in the session. This follows a challenging weekend in Zandvoort, suggesting he is facing a challenge in Italy as well. In the first practice, he had to hand over his car to the inexperienced Ayumu Iwasa.

Archive photo: George Russell fastest in second practice at Monza, Verstappen complains — Archive photoPhoto: Dave Hamster · Flickr · BY

Russell's fastest lap was a positive boost for Mercedes, which is striving to secure podium positions. The performances of Leclerc and Antonelli indicate that Ferrari and Mercedes are strong competitors in this race.

Verstappen's complaints during the session highlight a certain frustration, especially considering his previous dominance this season. The issues with the car may impact his strategy for the upcoming races.

The second practice in Monza made it clear that Verstappen, despite his strong performances in the past, cannot rely on an easy racing experience. The results raise questions about the speed and setup of his Red Bull car.

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