2022 Italian Grand Prix

Championship standings

Max Verstappen leads the Drivers’ Championship by 109 points from Charles Leclerc in second and Sergio Pérez in third after the Dutch Grand Prix. Red Bull Racing leads Ferrari by 135 points and Mercedes by 165 in the Constructors’ Championship.

Previous race

Verstappen won the Dutch Grand Prix at his home race. A virtual safety car on lap 47 — triggered by Tsunoda’s retirement — allowed Verstappen to pit and retain the lead. A subsequent safety car brought on by Bottas’s engine failure set up a restart; Verstappen cleared Hamilton almost immediately. Russell, who pitted for soft tyres at the restart, overtook Hamilton for second. Sainz received a five-second penalty for an unsafe pit release.

Between-race developments

Alexander Albon was ruled out with appendicitis before Saturday’s third practice session at the Italian Grand Prix. Mercedes reserve driver Nyck de Vries, who drove for Aston Martin in FP1, was called up to race for Williams at short notice.

Milestones

Fernando Alonso makes his 349th Formula One race start, equalling Kimi Räikkönen’s record for the most starts in the history of the championship.

Entrants

Antonio Giovinazzi drives for Haas in place of Mick Schumacher during FP1. Nyck de Vries drives for Aston Martin in place of Sebastian Vettel during FP1 before being promoted to race driver for Williams.

Penalties

Yuki Tsunoda carries a 10-place grid penalty for exceeding his reprimand limit at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Track changes

The second DRS detection point has been moved to 20 metres after the Parabolica exit.

Tyre choices

Pirelli brings the C2, C3, and C4 compounds (hard, medium, soft).

Practice

Several drivers, including Leclerc, Sainz, and Hamilton, take on additional power unit components this weekend and incur grid penalties. Leclerc was fastest in FP1 ahead of Sainz and Russell. Sainz topped FP2 ahead of Verstappen and Leclerc. Verstappen was fastest in FP3 ahead of Leclerc and Pérez.

A minute’s silence is observed before Friday’s first practice session and before Sunday’s race in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died on 8 September. Red Bull Racing, Aston Martin, Haas, Ferrari, and Mercedes carry tribute livery elements. Ferrari also uses a special livery to mark the 75th anniversary of the company.