Bortoleto sets the 6th fastest time in the 3rd free practice session of the Italian GP; Norris is the fastest

World Constructors' Champion McLaren once again demonstrated its dominance in the third free practice session for the Italian GP this Saturday at the Monza circuit, putting Lando Norris ahead of the other drivers with a time of 1:19.331. Charles Leclerc gave hope to host Ferrari and set the second-fastest time, 0.021 seconds behind the leader.

Gabriel Bortoleto was one of the standouts of the session, finishing sixth, just 0.227 seconds behind the Brit. Besides Norris and Leclerc, his Sauber was only ahead of the powerful McLarens of Oscar Piastri, the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, and the Mercedes of George Russell.

The first half of the session was dominated by Red Bull. Yuki Tsunoda, who doesn't usually set good times in pre-race practice, set the fastest time at the start of the session, at 1:21.876, and remained ahead until being surpassed by teammate Max Verstappen, who clocked 1:20.040.

With the Austrian team's car well aligned, the four-time champion was the first to break the 1:20 mark, with a 1:19.688 mark, just before the halfway point. Ferrari maintained its strong performance from Friday, placing Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton right behind the Dutchman, both 0.3 seconds behind.

Gabriel Bortoleto started out quietly, but improved as the test progressed. On his first attempt with Sauber, the Brazilian posted the 13th fastest time, then improved to the 8th fastest time on the track, twice finishing in 3rd place, and then finishing in 6th. He even complained to the Sauber engineer over the radio about the team's "untimely" communication before the Ascari corner, which demands greater skill and attention from the drivers.

As in previous practice sessions, Williams made sure to remain among the fastest. Alexander Albon was only the third driver to run under 1:20, along with Verstappen and Hamilton, placing his team in third place—ahead of Leclerc—with 20 minutes remaining in the third practice session at Monza.

In the final stretch of the race, McLaren finally asserted its favoritism and took the lead, with Norris in first place with a time of 1:19.331, and Piastri 0.247 seconds behind. Bortoleto took third place twice, but was overtaken by Leclerc, Verstappen, and Russell, finishing 6th.

The drivers return to the track this Saturday, at 12 pm (Brasília time), to define the starting grid for the Italian GP, the 16th of the Formula 1 season. The race, at the Monza circuit, is scheduled for 10 am this Sunday.

Check out the results of the 3rd free practice session of the Italian GP:

1st – Lando Norris (ING/McLaren), in 1min19s331

2nd – Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari), at 0s021

3rd – Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren), 0s165

4th – Max Verstappen (HOL/Red Bull), at 0s167

5th – George Russell (ING/Mercedes), at 0s184

6th – Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Sauber), 0s227 behind

7th – Lewis Hamilton (ING/Ferrari), at 0s267

8th – Isack Hadjar (FRA/RB), at 0s272

9th – Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes), 0.365s behind

10th – Alexander Albon (TAI/Williams), at 0s389

11th – Nico Hülkenberg (ALE/Sauber), at 0s406