FP3: Hamilton heads a commanding Mercedes one-two at Monza

Having set the benchmark in Free Practice Two, Lewis Hamilton continued to lead on Saturday, heading a Mercedes one-two in final practice at the Italian Grand Prix. F1technical's lead journalist Balázs Szabo reports from the Monza circuit.

After the first two practice sessions were interrupted by the crashes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Kevin Magnussen, drivers enjoyed a troublefree final practice on Saturday.

The sharp end of the field was once again closely matched, with the Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull drivers separated by the tiniest of margins.

Having already displayed great speed on Pirelli's medium tyres, Mercedes drivers looked the most convincing on the red-walled soft tyres, with Lewis Hamilton setting the benchmark ahead of his team-mate George Russell.

Ferrari drivers were quick, but slightly lacked pace in the middle sector, with Charles Leclerc taking third, a tenth of a second behind Hamilton.

His team-mate Carlos Sainz appeared to be quick as well, but he ultimately ended up seventh quickest.

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris racked up less laps than their closest rivals, ending up fourth and fifth quickest, with reigning champion Max Verstappen setting the fifth quickest lap.

The Dutchman was the only top driver to complete a race simulation, having racked up ten laps on the mediums on high fuel.

Alexander Albon and new team mate Franco Colapinto put in a good showing for Williams in eighth and ninth respectively, while Nico Hulkenberg completed the top 10 for Haas.

Aston Martin had a quiet session, with Fernando Alonso taking 11th, with Daniel Ricciardo, Yuki Tsunoda, Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and the other Aston Martin of Lance Stroll taking the positions from 12th through to 15th.