Italian GP: George Russell fastest in Practice Two as Mercedes edge ahead of fast-starting Ferrari at Monza

George Russell beat Charles Leclerc to the fastest time of second practice at the Italian Grand Prix as Mercedes responded to Ferrari's early pace at Monza.

At an event in which championship-leading team-mate Kimi Antonelli will start at the back of Sunday's grid owing to engine-change penalties, Russell has a big chance to eat into the Italian's 59-point advantage if he can deliver a strong race weekend.

Ferrari had finished first and second quickest in opening practice as they debuted an upgraded engine but Russell was the driver to beat in the second session amid continued sweltering temperatures in northern Italy.

The Briton set a quickest lap of 1:22.559 to outpace Leclerc - who had a late spin - by 0.120s and Antonelli by 0.141s.

Lewis Hamilton, second fastest in the earlier running, slipped to fifth behind McLaren's Lando Norris during a session which included the Ferrari running straight on at the first chicane.

Norris has won the last two races but McLaren are expecting Monza's straights and slow chicanes to prove more challenging for their car. Fourth-fastest Norris was 0.384s off the second-practice pace with Oscar Piastri a further tenth behind in sixth.

The world champion was angered by what he perceived to be "dangerous" driving by Aston Martin's Lance Stroll midway through the session when he was forced off track at the first chicane. That incident was placed under a post-session stewards' investigation.

Max Verstappen returned after sitting out the first session for Red Bull rookie Ayumu Iwasa but the Dutchman was unhappy with his RB22's balance and was only able to set the ninth-fastest time. Stand-in team-mate Liam Lawson was 12th.

Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad was the leading Red Bull-owned car in seventh place, with Haas' Oliver Bearman eighth in an upgraded VF-26 car.

'This is his big chance' - Russell makes ideal start at Monza

While he certainly will not be getting carried away by setting the Friday pace, Russell has clearly got his weekend off to a positive start ahead of his bids for a first Grand Prix pole and win since the Austrian Grand Prix five events ago.

Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle said: "He looked good. This is his big chance to close that deficit this weekend and show that he is very worthy of a world championship.

"What he desperately doesn't want to have to do is fall into line a few races down the road and protect Kimi Antonelli if there's an onslaught coming from McLaren or Ferrari at his championship lead.

"These are key races now for George Russell."

Sky Sports F1's Italian GP live schedule

Saturday September 58.25am: F3 Sprint11.15am: Italian Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 11:30am)1.10pm: F2 Sprint2.15pm: Italian Grand Prix Qualifying build-up3pm: ITALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*5pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook

Sunday September 67.10am: F3 Feature Race8.40am: F2 Feature Race10.40am: Porsche Supercup Race12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Italian GP build-up2pm: THE ITALIAN GRAND PRIX4pm: Chequered Flag: Italian GP reaction5pm: Ted's Notebook

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is at Monza for Ferrari's home race at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime

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