Russell tops Monza practice as Antonelli faces back‑of‑grid penalty

George Russell set the fastest time in the final practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, edging Charles Leclerc by 0.120 seconds. His Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli will start from the back of the grid after a penalty for exceeding engine‑part limits. Antonelli, the young Italian driver, has drawn mixed reactions from fans because of his heritage and his strong performances with Mercedes. He has pledged an aggressive comeback, focusing on race setup and strategy rather than qualifying, and believes a top‑five finish is within reach.