2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix weekend has now reached its crucial stage. After Friday’s practice sessions at Monza, teams will now fine-tune their cars for qualifying and Sunday’s race in the final practice session. Mercedes and Ferrari showed strong pace on Friday, while McLaren and Red Bull will be expected to make a comeback in FP3.
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FP3 will provide drivers with the final opportunity to evaluate qualifying setup, tyre performance, low-fuel pace, and long-run balance. Slipstream and straight-line speed on Monza’s high-speed layout will also play an important role in qualifying preparation.
At Auto India Daily, we will cover every important update from Monza through our 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE coverage. Here you will find the latest information on fastest laps, tire choices, driver positions, incidents, red flags, and the final FP3 classification.
Alos Read: 2026 F1 Italian GP Schedule: Monza Race, Qualifying & Full IST Timings
5:03 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Verstappen and Hamilton Nearly Make Contact
Things got tense at Monza as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton came close to contact during FP3.
Verstappen appeared unhappy after Hamilton seemingly held him up through the final corner. The two cars then ran side by side into Turn 1, with Verstappen taking the inside line.
The Red Bull driver moved aggressively up the inside, forcing Hamilton to take evasive action to avoid contact. A fiery moment between two of F1’s biggest names just before qualifying.
5:05 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Full Results Are In
FP3 at Monza is now complete, with George Russell setting the pace in the final practice session ahead of qualifying.
The Mercedes driver continued his strong form from Friday and ended the session with the fastest lap, while the rest of the field battled for position ahead of this evening’s qualifying session.
For the complete FP3 classification, lap times and tyre information, check the full results here:
2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 Full Results — RacingNews365
Next up: 2026 F1 Italian GP Qualifying at 7:30 PM IST.
5:01 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Chequered Flag Falls at Monza
That’s the end of FP3 at Monza! The final practice session ahead of qualifying has officially come to a close.
George Russell heads into qualifying with strong momentum after setting the pace during the session. Mercedes will be encouraged by its performance, while Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren will now analyse the final data before the fight for pole position begins.
Welcome To Our 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE Coverage
Saturday, September 5, 2026 | Monza
Welcome to Auto India Daily’s live coverage of the F1 Italian GP FP3. Friday’s practice sessions have already hinted at a competitive weekend, but teams have only one final practice session left before qualifying.
4:59 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Russell Improves Again, Hamilton Moves to P2
George Russell has found even more time at Monza, setting a new FP3 benchmark of 1:22.419.
Lewis Hamilton has responded by moving up to second place, sitting just two-tenths behind Russell as the session enters its final stages. The Mercedes pace is looking increasingly strong ahead of qualifying.
4:57 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Both Williams Drivers Under Investigation
Both Williams drivers have been placed under investigation by the stewards following alleged yellow-flag infringements during FP3.
Alex Albon and his Williams teammate will be required to report to the stewards after the session, with any potential consequences to be determined later.
4:59 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Russell Impedes Piastri at Turn 6
George Russell has also been involved in another incident after appearing to impede Oscar Piastri at Turn 6.
Russell was positioned near the apex as Piastri approached, leaving the McLaren driver visibly frustrated. The stewards have already decided that no further action is necessary over the incident.
With qualifying still to come, however, incidents involving traffic will remain an important talking point around Monza’s tight and fast lap layout.
4:52 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Russell Still Clear at the Top
The chasing pack is improving their lap times, but nobody has been able to seriously challenge George Russell’s benchmark so far.
Russell continues to hold a comfortable advantage at the front of the timing order, strengthening his position as an early favourite for pole position in qualifying later today.
With the final minutes of FP3 approaching, the focus will now shift to the final qualifying simulations. Any driver able to find a strong tow on Monza’s long straights could still close the gap to Russell.
4:50 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Final 10 Minutes Coming Up
Just 10 minutes remain in FP3 at Monza, and the track is expected to get much busier from here.
Teams are likely to focus on qualifying simulations and slipstream runs, with drivers looking to extract the maximum performance from their cars before qualifying later today.
4:45 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Russell Goes Even Faster
George Russell has improved his benchmark once again, lowering his FP3 best to 1:22.463.
The Mercedes driver has once again benefited from a slipstream from Kimi Antonelli, which appears to be helping Russell find extra time on Monza’s long straights.
Max Verstappen has moved into second, but the Red Bull driver remains around three-tenths behind Russell. With the final 10 minutes approaching, the battle at the top is starting to heat up.
4:41 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Traffic Issues Frustrate Lawson and Ocon
Liam Lawson and Esteban Ocon have both been left frustrated after encountering George Russell at Turn 4 during their laps.
Both drivers were visibly unhappy with the situation, throwing their hands up as they struggled to get through the section cleanly. Russell apologised to Ocon after the incident, although it appears Lawson was not given the same response.
4:36 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Russell Takes Over at the Top
George Russell has moved to the top of the FP3 timing sheets, going around three and a half tenths clear of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.
The lap is particularly significant given Antonelli is set to start the Italian GP from the back of the grid due to his engine-related penalty. Russell is therefore in a strong position heading into qualifying.
Replays also suggest Antonelli gave Russell a useful slipstream on the lap, helping the Mercedes driver gain some extra time on Monza’s long straights. Teams could use similar tactics again during qualifying later today.
4:35 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE
4:31 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Turn 1 Chicane Causing Trouble
The opening chicane at Monza is proving tricky for several drivers during FP3. Oscar Piastri has just gone wide at Turn 1, losing the ideal line through the opening section of the circuit.
The McLaren driver appeared visibly frustrated after the moment, but he was able to continue without any major incident.
Piastri is not the only driver struggling at the first chicane, with several others also running wide at Turn 1 during the session.
4:29 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Drivers Running Wide at Turn 1
Turn 1 has already seen plenty of action, with drivers using the escape area after running beyond the limits of the opening chicane.
The tight braking zone at Monza leaves very little room for error, particularly when drivers push hard while trying to improve their lap times.
The incident involving Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari also highlights how busy the opening section of the circuit has become as more drivers head out for their FP3 runs.
4:25 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Albon Handed a Warning
Alex Albon has been handed a warning by the stewards during FP3 at Monza.
The Williams driver caught the attention of race officials after failing to follow the required instructions while using the escape road at Turn 1.
No penalty has been announced at this stage, with Albon receiving a warning over the incident.
4:22 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Lawson Spins at Turn 1
Liam Lawson has had a moment at Turn 1 during FP3, with the RB driver spinning and briefly ending up facing the wrong way on the circuit. He was able to get the car moving again and continue his session.
There is no immediate indication of major damage, but it is another reminder of how tricky the braking zone can be at Monza.
4:20 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Norris and Russell Yet to Appear
Lando Norris and George Russell are still yet to take to the track in FP3. Both drivers remain in their respective garages as teams gradually increase their running ahead of qualifying.
Russell will be particularly interesting to watch after topping Friday’s second practice session, while Norris will also be looking to establish McLaren’s pace before qualifying.
4:18 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Antonelli Goes to the Top
Kimi Antonelli has moved to the top of the FP3 timing order with a 1:23.032 lap.
The Mercedes driver has set the early benchmark at Monza, although the order is expected to change significantly as more of the leading drivers complete their first competitive runs.
LIVE: FP3 is beginning to build momentum, with more drivers now heading out as teams prepare for the final practice session before qualifying.
4:15 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Colapinto Jumps to the Top of the Timing
Franco Colapinto has secured P1 in the FP3 timing order after the latest round of laps. The Alpine driver set a benchmark in the early session, but the picture is not yet completely clear.
Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen, and both Ferrari drivers have also emerged from the garage. The timing order could see significant changes once these top drivers complete their laps.
LIVE: FP3 is now gradually building towards a serious pace. Teams have limited running time before qualifying at Monza, so the next few minutes will be crucial.
4:10 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: Track Activity Picks Up at Monza
Track activity is gradually increasing at Monza. Alex Albon, drivers from Aston Martin, Haas, and Cadillac have also arrived on the circuit.
In the opening phase of FP3, teams are currently evaluating tire and car behavior. As the session progresses, drivers from front-running teams will also begin to put in competitive laps.
4:07 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: First Lap Times Arrive at Monza
The first competitive lap times have finally appeared on the timing screens in FP3. Pierre Gasly took an early lead with a time of 1:25.349, while Franco Colapinto and Carlos Sainz also set lap times.
These times are significantly slower than Friday’s benchmark, as the leading drivers have not yet started proper qualifying runs.
4:03 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: 57 Minutes To Go- Audi Drivers Complete Installation Laps
In FP3, Gabriele Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg were the first to exit the pit lane. Both Audi drivers completed only installation laps and returned to the pits shortly after.
The Audi team may have made some changes to the car setup overnight after Friday’s sessions. Therefore, engineers first want to confirm that the revised setup and car systems are working as expected.
Currently, no other drivers are on track except Bortoleto and Hulkenberg. The start of FP3 at Monza is still quite quiet.
4:00 PM IST — 2026 F1 Italian GP FP3 LIVE: GREEN FLAG- F1 Italian GP FP3 Begins At Monza
The green flag is out at Monza! The final practice session for the 2026 F1 Italian GP has officially begun. Drivers have a chance to evaluate their cars one last time before qualifying.
There isn’t much rush on the track in the session’s opening moments. Teams completed major setup work during Friday’s practice sessions, so drivers are conserving tires instead of immediately exiting the pit lane.
The focus in FP3 will now be on qualifying preparation. Drivers will test soft-tire performance, straight-line speed, and car balance with low-fuel runs. This final data will be crucial for teams ahead of qualifying at a high-speed circuit like Monza.
Mercedes and Ferrari showed strong pace in Friday’s sessions, while McLaren and Red Bull will also look to improve their performance ahead of qualifying.
FP3 will start at 4:00 PM IST. During the session, we will update important developments with timestamps, including who is fastest, which drivers are performing qualifying simulations on soft tires, and what the pace picture looks like between Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull.
Stay tuned — get all the LIVE updates from F1 Italian GP FP3 from Monza on this page.
