Sainz sets the pace in FP3 at the Italian Grand Prix as Verstappen comes P2

Carlos Sainz set the pace in the final free practice session for Ferarri at the Italian Grand Prix, once again highlighting their improved pace at their home Grand Prix. Max Verstappen finished closely behind in P2.

After a very quiet Friday at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza due to the change in the tyre allocation from Pirelli, Saturday will bring much more action around the iconic Italian circuit, with teams and drivers looking towards a crucial qualifying session.

Red Bull set early pace ahead of competitive field

With qualifying on everyone drivers' mind, the soft tyres were the most popular choice as FP3 got underway, and the early pace was set by Red Bull and Verstappen on the softs once again, with his teammate Sergio Perez half a second behind him in P2.

Behind the rapid Red Bull, the battle for the best of the rest was extremely competitive, with Ferarri, McLaren and Mercedes all trading quick laps with each other as the session continued.

Lando Norris was the first driver to go into P3, but he was quickly replaced by Carlos Sainz, buoyed by the support of the Tifosi at Monza. However, Lewis Hamilton was able to beat out the others early in the session, finding the pace he and Mercedes were lacking in yesterday's running.

Albon and Magnussen shake up the order but Sainz comes out on top

As the session ticked over the halfway point, Alexander Albon displayed the form he has shown this season as he placed his Williams into P2 on the medium tyres, splitting the two Red Bulls with a fantastic lap. Kevin Magnussen also joined in with a superb lap, putting his Haas in P4 and pushing Hamilton down into P5.

As the session drew to a close, P1 continued to chop and change. Hamilton held the spot briefly with a 1.21.4, but he was ousted by Verstappen, with the Dutchman going half a second quicker in his RB19.

But Sainz had the last laugh, as he just piped Verstappen to P1, adding to his P1 in FP2 as well, which bodes well for Sainz and the Prancing Horse as qualifying looms at their home Grand Prix.