Verstappen sixth fastest at the final free practice in Monza

Published on 05 September 2020 by Mike Motilall

Max Verstappen finished the final free practice in the run-up to the Italian Grand Prix sixth fastest. The Dutchman completed fifteen laps on the 5,793 meter long Autodromo Nazionale di Monza and did a 1:20.456 on the medium tyre compound. Valtteri Bottas topped the board with both McLarens behind him in second and third.

It’s noon when the third and final free practice gets underway. With a temperature of 25 degrees the weather conditions are excellent in Monza. Antonio Giovinazzi, driving his home race this weekend, is the first driver to leave the pitlane and do an installation lap. Team mate Kimi Räikkönen, Lando Norris, Pierre Gasly and both Haas-drivers follow suit.

After a pause of about fifteen minutes, the first V6-driven power unit is revived again. Carlos Sainz leaves the pitlane on a set of the mediums and clocks the fastest lap time of the session so far, a 1:21.875.

Some ten minutes later, we see Max Verstappen also head out on the tarmac. The Dutchman has strapped on the yellow striped mediums to his RB16 and does in his first timed lap a 1:21.548 which earns him the seventh spot. Lewis Hamilton is by then at the top of the time sheet with a 1:20.658, driven on the softs.

Max betters his time during his second run (on the same tyre) to a 1:20.974, putting him behind of Esteban Ocon in fourth. During a third attempt, the Dutchman shaves off even half a second more. This puts him at the top, ahead of Valtteri Bottas who did a 1:20.622 earlier on on the softs.

With still fifteen minutes remaining on the clock, Verstappen is demoted to third by both Mercedes. Bottas improves to a 1:20.089 as team mate Lewis Hamilton trails well over three tenths in second place. Max is with seventeen thousandths of a second not far a drift from the Briton.

The Aston Martin Red Bull Racing-driver heads out once more in the closing stages of the session and has had his team mount on the softest compound. However he doesn’t get the chance to do a flying lap as we suddenly see Daniel Ricciardo trackside with some technical issues to his car. This triggers a code red, but because the Renault is quickly retrieved there is enough time for just one timed lap after the track has been given all clear.

Max is unable to better his time and finishes the third and final free practice sixth fastest when the flag drops. Valtteri Bottas topped the board and keeps Carlos Sainz (+0.229), Lando Norris (+0.323), Daniel Ricciardo (+0.330) and Lewis Hamilton (+0.350) behind of him.

Italian GP contest: Win the grey Max Verstappen cap!

Results third free practice Italy: