FP2: Leclerc narrowly ahead of Hamilton

F1 Grand Prix, GP Italy, Autodromo Nazionale di Monza

Charles Leclerc continued to top the timing sheet in Friday's afternoon session at Monza, this time less than a tenth quicker than Lewis Hamilton, who managed to prevent another Ferrari 1-2.

Many drivers were very active early on in the session, wary that rain was forecast. In that flur of activity, both Ferraris set their fastest times of the session, as they switched to softs 20 minutes in after a number of laps on the harder tyres.

When rain eventually arrived, the track became quiet for around 30 minutes. After that period, several cautiously ventured out again, and towards the end of the session, it seems like the track was back in the condition at had been at the beginning of the session.

It was then that Hamilton set his best, making good use of a tow by team mate Valtteri Bottas. Such a tow can be extremely helpful around Monza, and is typically used for qualifying to eek out every bit of performance there is in the cars.

Bottas himself ended the session fourth fastest, ahead of both Red Bulls and Pierre Gasly. The Frenchman was 0.5s down on Albon, and narrowly trailed by Grosjean and Ricciardo as they completed the top 10.