F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Practice updates and results at Monza

Max Verstappen is eyeing a record-breaking 10th F1 win in a row as the paddock rolls around to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix this weekend.

Verstappen, picking up where he left off before the summer break, won his home race in the Netherlands last week to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine consecutive grand prix triumphs. The Dutchman, who now has a mammoth 138-point lead in the championship over team-mate Sergio Perez, is the overwhelming favourite in Italy having also won in Monza last year.

Mercedes endured a difficult weekend last time out in Zandvoort but will be buoyed by the news that both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have signed contract extensions until the end of the 2025 season.

As for Ferrari, they head into their home race short of form having not won a race since Austria last year but will be hoping for a strong performance in front of the home tifosi crowd. Fernando Alonso, too, will be looking to back up his podium in Zandvoort with another top-three showing at Monza.

Follow live updates from the Italian Grand Prix with The Independent

F1 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX - PRACTICE

• Carlos Sainz quickest in FP2; Norris 2nd; Perez 3rd

• Max Verstappen was fastest in first practice; Sainz 2nd; Perez 3rd

• Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have signed new contracts at Mercedes

• Hamilton explains reason for extending deal: ‘Unfinished business’

• Max Verstappen is eyeing a record-breaking 10th F1 win in a row

Goodbye!

20:00 , Kieran Jackson

Thanks for joining us for practice for the Italian Grand Prix!

Join us tomorrow for qualifying - which starts at 3pm (BST) - at Monza!

Fernando Alonso makes Lewis Hamilton claim: ‘I’d stay with him until he’s 80 years old’

19:31 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso insists he would keep Lewis Hamilton “until he’s 80 years old” over picking a young F2 driver after the seven-time world champion signed a new contract with Mercedes.

Hamilton, 38, penned an extension until the end of the 2025 season – alongside team-mate George Russell – which will keep him racing in F1 into his 40s.

Alonso, himself 42, has shown with his seven podiums for Aston Martin this season that age is no factor when it comes to performance – a point he reiterated when speaking to the press in Monza about Hamilton’s new deal.

Full quotes below:

Alonso makes Hamilton claim: ‘I’d stay with him until he’s 80 years old’

Max Verstappen shrugs off criticism: ‘They cannot appreciate dominance’

18:55 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen has hit back at criticism of his dominance and set the target of remaining unbeaten for the final nine races of the season.

The all-conquering Dutchman will become the first driver in history to win 10 consecutive races if he takes the chequered flag at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Verstappen has been in imperious form this year, winning 11 of the 13 rounds staged as he closes in on a hat-trick of World Championships.

Full interview below:

‘They cannot appreciate dominance’: Max Verstappen shrugs off criticism

How does Max Verstappen’s win-streak compare to fellow record-holder Sebastian Vettel’s?

18:39 , Kieran Jackson

Feature by Kieran Jackson

It’s nine on the spin for Max. Even two separate downpours of blustery rain across the sand dunes of Zandvoort – and a late red flag – could not send the flying Dutchman off route. Victory at the Dutch Grand Prix saw Verstappen leave where he left off before the summer break: the faultless displays of driving just keep on coming.

It was a victory which put him level with Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine Formula 1 wins in a row. Alberto Ascari achieved the same in 1952-1953, though is technically written out of the record books after not entering the Indianapolis 500, which was part of the drivers’ championship back then.

Verstappen will be eyeing a record-breaking 10th win this weekend at Monza. Vettel, now retired but as ever a man with a wise foresight, saw it coming a few months back.

Read more below:

How does Verstappen’s win-streak compare to fellow record-holder Vettel’s?

Lewis Hamilton gives update on Brad Pitt F1 movie amid Hollywood strikes

18:14 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton is not “massively concerned just yet” about the impact of the Hollywood strikes on the upcoming Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt.

Filming has begun on the Apple Studios production, with the working title ‘Apex’, and specially-modified F2 cars have been filming at races this season including in Silverstone and Budapest.

Pitt, who was involved in a scene in racing overalls following the national anthem at Silverstone alongside co-star Damson Idris, is expected in Monza this weekend during the Italian Grand Prix.

Full story below:

Lewis Hamilton gives update on F1 movie starring Brad Pitt amid Hollywood strikes

What is the alternative tyre allocation being used in qualifying?

17:58 , Kieran Jackson

Like in Hungary, an alternative tyre allocation will be used in qualifying on Saturday, meaning the following compulsory use of tyres:

Q1 - Hard compound

Q2 - Medium compound

Q3 - Soft compound

Charles Leclerc speaks out about Ferrari future ahead of Italian Grand Prix

17:44 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc insists he would “love to stay” at Ferrari for the foreseeable future but insists extending his contract beyond 2024 is not a “priority” at the moment.

Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019 from Alfa Romeo and made an immediate impression on the tifosi fanbase, winning their home Italian Grand Prix at Monza as well as the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa.

After a few forlorn years, 2022 saw the Scuderia challenge at the top again – with Leclerc winning two of the first three races – before Red Bull stole a march and cruised to championship glory as Ferrari saw their tilt fade away due to reliability and strategic errors.

This season has seen Ferrari, if anything, take a step backwards and as a result Leclerc has been linked with a move to Mercedes – even in a potentially astonishing swap deal with Lewis Hamilton – but the Monegasque driver was keen to emphasise his heart remains with Ferrari.

Full quotes below:

Charles Leclerc speaks out about Ferrari future

What is the race schedule in Monza?

17:29 , Kieran Jackson

(All times BST)

Saturday 2 September

• Free practice 3: 11:30am

• Qualifying: 3pm

Sunday 3 September

• Race: 2pm

FP2 CLASSIFICATION

17:25 , Kieran Jackson

Carlos Sainz fastest in second practice

17:03 , Kieran Jackson

Top of the pile on his 29th birthday!

The chequered flag is waved and Carlos Sainz stays on top - his 1:21:355 is the fastest time, with Lando Norris just 0.019 secs off the pace.

Sergio Perez is third; Oscar Piastri fourth; Max Verstappen fifth, 0.276secs off Sainz.

6-10: Leclerc, Albon, Alonso, Russell, Hulkenberg

Lewis Hamilton remains in P17....

Session does resume!

16:59 , Kieran Jackson

A rapid restart of the session as the field quickly take to the track for a final few laps..

RED FLAG!

16:53 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez is in the wall at the Parabolica!

Another nightmare situation for the Red Bull man in practice...

He spins into the gravel early into the corner, but fortunately the touch of the barrier is light on the rear.

Still, the car can’t get out the gravel and the session is stopped (and probably won’t have time to resume here).

Lando Norris up to second

16:48 , Kieran Jackson

Quick time from Lando Norris in his McLaren - he goes second-fastest with a 1:21:374, just 0.019 secs off Sainz in first.

Max Verstappen now down to fifth, with Sergio Perez in third and Oscar Piastri fourth.

6-10: Leclerc, Albon, Alonso, Russell, Hulkenberg

Lewis Hamilton, yet to set a soft time, is currently P17.

Just over 10 minutes to go...

Max Verstappen frustrated with traffic

16:38 , Kieran Jackson

“That middle sector was shocking for traffic,” says an annoyed Verstappen.

Indeed it was! Was that why he only went third-fastest?

Sergio Perez now P1 with a 1;21:50, with Carlos Sainz 0.025 secs off in seond. Verstappen 0.091 secs off Perez.

Just under 25 minutes left. Qualifying times now entering the timesheets...

Lewis Hamilton not happy with rear wing approach

16:34 , Kieran Jackson

“How far am I down in the high speed straights? I’d rather pit...”

Into the pits he goes...

This was tight!

16:29 , Kieran Jackson

Ferrari one-two early on in second practice

16:23 , Kieran Jackson

After a brief red flag with Lance Stroll stopping at the side of the track, it’s the Ferrari pair of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc who are top of the timesheets - two-tenths seperate the first-placed Spaniard from his team-mate.

Hope for the tifosi!

Sergio Perez is P3, with Max Verstappen P4.

5-10: Albon, Russell, Hamilton, Norris, Alonso, Tsunoda

F1 Italian Grand Prix - second practice!

16:03 , Kieran Jackson

We’re underway with the second hour of practice at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza!

Once again, it’s beautiful sunshine in Italy as Lance Stroll - who missed the first session as Felipe Drugovich deputised for Aston Martin - is the first car out on track.

What is the alternative tyre allocation being used in qualifying?

15:56 , Kieran Jackson

Like in Hungary, an alternative tyre allocation will be used in qualifying on Saturday, meaning the following compulsory use of tyres:

Q1 - Hard compound

Q2 - Medium compound

Q3 - Soft compound

How does Max Verstappen’s win-streak compare to fellow record-holder Sebastian Vettel’s?

15:53 , Kieran Jackson

Feature by Kieran Jackson

It’s nine on the spin for Max. Even two separate downpours of blustery rain across the sand dunes of Zandvoort – and a late red flag – could not send the flying Dutchman off route. Victory at the Dutch Grand Prix saw Verstappen leave where he left off before the summer break: the faultless displays of driving just keep on coming.

It was a victory which put him level with Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine Formula 1 wins in a row. Alberto Ascari achieved the same in 1952-1953, though is technically written out of the record books after not entering the Indianapolis 500, which was part of the drivers’ championship back then.

Verstappen will be eyeing a record-breaking 10th win this weekend at Monza. Vettel, now retired but as ever a man with a wise foresight, saw it coming a few months back.

Read more below:

How does Verstappen’s win-streak compare to fellow record-holder Vettel’s?

Martin Brundle on Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s new deal:

15:45 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s great news for Lewis, George, Mercedes and Formula 1. Lewis transcends this sport and he wants that eighth world championship clearly.

“Him going well into his 40s is no surprise whatsoever.

“It’s a brilliant pairing. They quite clearly said when George joined them that the nationality wasn’t issue and they’re sticking with it. Cars get designed around drivers so continuity is incredibly important in this business.”

15:30 , Kieran Jackson

FP1 report

Max Verstappen put down an early marker in his bid to win 10 consecutive races by setting the fastest time in practice for the Italian Grand Prix.

The double world champion edged out Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz by 0.046 seconds in Monza with Sergio Perez third in the other Red Bull.

Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari at the Italian team’s home event, one place ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, while Lewis Hamilton ended the opening running of the weekend in eighth.

Max Verstappen fastest in Italian GP first practice as he chases history

What is the race schedule in Monza?

15:22 , Kieran Jackson

(All times BST)

Friday 1 September

• Free practice 2: 4pm

Saturday 2 September

• Free practice 3: 11:30am

• Qualifying: 3pm

Sunday 3 September

• Race: 2pm

Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract

15:01 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has signed a new contract with Mercedes, extending his stay with the Silver Arrows until the end of 2025.

The 38-year-old joined Mercedes from boyhood team McLaren in 2013 and has won six of his seven world titles under the guidance of boss Toto Wolff.

George Russell, who joined as Hamilton’s teammate in 2022, has also extended his deal for another two years.

Full detail below:

Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract

Lewis Hamilton gives update on Brad Pitt F1 movie amid Hollywood strikes

14:45 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton is not “massively concerned just yet” about the impact of the Hollywood strikes on the upcoming Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt.

Filming has begun on the Apple Studios production, with the working title ‘Apex’, and specially-modified F2 cars have been filming at races this season including in Silverstone and Budapest.

Pitt, who was involved in a scene in racing overalls following the national anthem at Silverstone alongside co-star Damson Idris, is expected in Monza this weekend during the Italian Grand Prix.

Full story below:

Lewis Hamilton gives update on F1 movie starring Brad Pitt amid Hollywood strikes

Here’s the Constructors’ Championship standings ahead of Monza:

14:25 , Kieran Jackson

1) Red Bull - 540 points

2) Mercedes - 255 points

3) Aston Martin - 215 points

4) Ferrari - 201 points

5) McLaren - 111 points

6) Alpine - 73 points

7) Williams - 15 points

8) Haas - 11 points

9) Alfa Romeo - 9 points

10) AlphaTauri - 3 points

Charles Leclerc speaks out about Ferrari future ahead of Italian Grand Prix

14:03 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc insists he would “love to stay” at Ferrari for the foreseeable future but insists extending his contract beyond 2024 is not a “priority” at the moment.

Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019 from Alfa Romeo and made an immediate impression on the tifosi fanbase, winning their home Italian Grand Prix at Monza as well as the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa.

After a few forlorn years, 2022 saw the Scuderia challenge at the top again – with Leclerc winning two of the first three races – before Red Bull stole a march and cruised to championship glory as Ferrari saw their tilt fade away due to reliability and strategic errors.

This season has seen Ferrari, if anything, take a step backwards and as a result Leclerc has been linked with a move to Mercedes – even in a potentially astonishing swap deal with Lewis Hamilton – but the Monegasque driver was keen to emphasise his heart remains with Ferrari.

Full quotes below:

Charles Leclerc speaks out about Ferrari future

FP1 CLASSIFICATION

13:51 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen fastest in FP1

13:35 , Kieran Jackson

It was close, but Max Verstappen once again tops the timesheets in the first hour of practice with a 1:22:657 around Monza!

Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari was his closest challenger, 0.046secs off, with Sergio Perez in third with a 0.177 sec gap to the superior Red Bull.

4-10: Leclerc, Russell, Alonso, Norris, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Albon

Felipe Drugovich ended up P18. Liam Lawson was 13th.

Top-10 looks pretty set

13:25 , Kieran Jackson

The order looks more or less set now, with cars on different run-plans and trialling different setup choices.

5 minutes to go..

Carlos Sainz goes second-fastest

13:14 , Kieran Jackson

Sainz narrows the gap to Verstappen to 0.046 secs, with Perez now in third with a 0.177 sec gap to his team-mate.

4-10: Leclerc, Russell, Alonso, Norris, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Albon

Felipe Drugovich, replacing Lance Stroll, is currently P17.

Around 15 minutes left of what has been a fairly uneventful session...

Max Verstappen not completely satisfied!

13:02 , Kieran Jackson

“I’m definitely getting way too much helmet lift...” says Verstappen.

Never a happy man in FP1!

Max Verstappen quickest after first 20 minutes

12:57 , Kieran Jackson

Usual order of play: Verstappen top of the pile with a 1:22:657 on the hard tyre, with Charles Leclerc three-tenths off in second.

Sergio Perez is third, with Fernando Alonso fourth and Carlos Sainz fifth - all half-a-second or so off Verstappen.

6-10: Norris, Hamilton, Piastri, Russell, Gasly

Both Alfa Romeo drivers - Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas - and Alex Albon’s Williams are the only drivers yet to set a time.

Zhou Guanyu has a problem

12:40 , Kieran Jackson

The Alfa Romeo team are pushing Zhou’s stricken car from the start of the pit lane back to their garage.

A clutch issue, by the sound of things. On track, 12 drivers out there at the moment - Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz quickest.

What is the alternative tyre allocation being used in qualifying?

12:37 , Kieran Jackson

Like in Hungary, an alternative tyre allocation will be used in qualifying on Saturday, meaning the following compulsory use of tyres:

Q1 - Hard compound

Q2 - Medium compound

Q3 - Soft compound

F1 practice at the Italian Grand Prix!

12:30 , Kieran Jackson

The green light is up in the pit lane in baking hot sunshine with first practice at Monza.

A reminder that there’s two driver changes for this session: Liam Lawson replaces Daniel Ricciardo for AlphaTauri for the whole weekend due to Ricciardo’s broken hand, while Felipe Drugovich takes the seat of Lance Stroll just for FP1 for Aston Martin, to fulfil the FP1 young driver requirements.

The Italian GP weekend is underway!

Martin Brundle on Lewis Hamilton and George Russell’s new deal:

12:25 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s great news for Lewis, George, Mercedes and Formula 1. Lewis transcends this sport and he wants that eighth world championship clearly.

“Him going well into his 40s is no surprise whatsoever.

“It’s a brilliant pairing. They quite clearly said when George joined them that the nationality wasn’t issue and they’re sticking with it. Cars get designed around drivers so continuity is incredibly important in this business.”

Driver Standings ahead of the Italian Grand Prix:

12:22 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 339 points

2) Sergio Perez - 201 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 168 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 156 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 102 points

6) Charles Leclerc - 99 points

7) George Russell - 99 points

8) Lando Norris - 75 points

9) Lance Stroll - 47 points

10) Pierre Gasly - 37 points

11) Esteban Ocon - 36 points

12) Oscar Piastri - 34 points

13) Alex Albon - 15 points

14) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points

15) Valtteri Bottas - 5 points

16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points

17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points

18) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points

19) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

20) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

21) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points

22) Liam Lawson - 0 points

Charles Leclerc speaks out about Ferrari future ahead of Italian Grand Prix

12:11 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc insists he would “love to stay” at Ferrari for the foreseeable future but insists extending his contract beyond 2024 is not a “priority” at the moment.

Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019 from Alfa Romeo and made an immediate impression on the tifosi fanbase, winning their home Italian Grand Prix at Monza as well as the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa.

After a few forlorn years, 2022 saw the Scuderia challenge at the top again – with Leclerc winning two of the first three races – before Red Bull stole a march and cruised to championship glory as Ferrari saw their tilt fade away due to reliability and strategic errors.

This season has seen Ferrari, if anything, take a step backwards and as a result Leclerc has been linked with a move to Mercedes – even in a potentially astonishing swap deal with Lewis Hamilton – but the Monegasque driver was keen to emphasise his heart remains with Ferrari.

Full quotes below:

Charles Leclerc speaks out about Ferrari future

Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract

11:58 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has signed a new contract with Mercedes, extending his stay with the Silver Arrows until the end of 2025.

The 38-year-old joined Mercedes from boyhood team McLaren in 2013 and has won six of his seven world titles under the guidance of boss Toto Wolff.

George Russell, who joined as Hamilton’s teammate in 2022, has also extended his deal for another two years.

Full detail below:

Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract

Max Verstappen shrugs off criticism: ‘They cannot appreciate dominance’

11:33 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen has hit back at criticism of his dominance and set the target of remaining unbeaten for the final nine races of the season.

The all-conquering Dutchman will become the first driver in history to win 10 consecutive races if he takes the chequered flag at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Verstappen has been in imperious form this year, winning 11 of the 13 rounds staged as he closes in on a hat-trick of World Championships.

Full interview below:

‘They cannot appreciate dominance’: Max Verstappen shrugs off criticism

Lewis Hamilton reacts after signing new deal!

11:20 , Kieran Jackson

“We have never been hungrier to win,” Hamilton said, after the contract was confirmed on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. “We have learnt from every success but also every setback.

“We dream every day of being the best and we have dedicated the past decade together to achieving that goal.

“Being at the top does not happen overnight or over a short period of time,” Hamilton continued. “It takes commitment, hard work and dedication and it’s been an honour to earn our way into the history books with this incredible team.

“We continue to chase our dreams, we continue to fight no matter the challenge and we will win again. I’m grateful to the team who have supported me both on and off the track. Our story isn’t finished, we are determined to achieve more together and we won’t stop until we do.”

Here’s the Constructors’ Championship standings ahead of Monza:

10:59 , Kieran Jackson

1) Red Bull - 540 points

2) Mercedes - 255 points

3) Aston Martin - 215 points

4) Ferrari - 201 points

5) McLaren - 111 points

6) Alpine - 73 points

7) Williams - 15 points

8) Haas - 11 points

9) Alfa Romeo - 9 points

10) AlphaTauri - 3 points

George Russell reacts to signing a new deal until the end of the 2025 season!

10:44 , Kieran Jackson

What is the race schedule in Monza?

10:36 , Kieran Jackson

(All times BST)

Friday 1 September

• Free practice 1: 12:30pm

• Free practice 2: 4pm

Saturday 2 September

• Free practice 3: 11:30am

• Qualifying: 3pm

Sunday 3 September

• Race: 2pm

Fernando Alonso makes Lewis Hamilton claim: ‘I’d stay with him until he’s 80 years old’

10:29 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso insists he would keep Lewis Hamilton “until he’s 80 years old” over picking a young F2 driver after the seven-time world champion signed a new contract with Mercedes.

Hamilton, 38, penned an extension until the end of the 2025 season – alongside team-mate George Russell – which will keep him racing in F1 into his 40s.

Alonso, himself 42, has shown with his seven podiums for Aston Martin this season that age is no factor when it comes to performance – a point he reiterated when speaking to the press in Monza about Hamilton’s new deal.

Full quotes below:

Alonso makes Hamilton claim: ‘I’d stay with him until he’s 80 years old’

Driver Standings ahead of the Italian Grand Prix:

10:25 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 339 points

2) Sergio Perez - 201 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 168 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 156 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 102 points

6) Charles Leclerc - 99 points

7) George Russell - 99 points

8) Lando Norris - 75 points

9) Lance Stroll - 47 points

10) Pierre Gasly - 37 points

11) Esteban Ocon - 36 points

12) Oscar Piastri - 34 points

13) Alex Albon - 15 points

14) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points

15) Valtteri Bottas - 5 points

16) Zhou Guanyu - 4 points

17) Yuki Tsunoda - 3 points

18) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points

19) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

20) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

21) Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points

22) Liam Lawson - 0 points

Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract

10:19 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has signed a new contract with Mercedes, extending his stay with the Silver Arrows until the end of 2025.

The 38-year-old joined Mercedes from boyhood team McLaren in 2013 and has won six of his seven world titles under the guidance of boss Toto Wolff.

George Russell, who joined as Hamilton’s teammate in 2022, has also extended his deal for another two years.

Full detail below:

Lewis Hamilton signs new Mercedes contract

F1 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX - PRACTICE

10:16 , Kieran Jackson

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza this weekend!

The big news in the world of Formula 1 is that both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have signed contract extensions at Mercedes until the end of the 2025 season!

On track, Max Verstappen is eyeing a record-breaking 10th win in a row - can anyone challenge him at the so-called Temple of Speed?

It’s practice today - first practice starts at 12:30pm (BST) with FP2 at 4pm.