Hamilton and Bottas fastest on frustrating day for Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton finished fastest on another crushing day for Mercedes ahead of tomorrow’s Italian Grand Prix.

After team-mate Valtteri Bottas topped the time charts in opening practice, the all-conquering Mercedes cars traded positions later in the day at Monza.

Hamilton finished 0.262 seconds clear of Bottas, with Lando Norris third in his McLaren, nine tenths off the pace.

For Ferrari, it was another sobering day, this time at their home event. Charles Leclerc ended the running in ninth, three places ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the sister car.

As Ferrari’s troubles show few signs of easing, Hamilton’s quest for a seventh world championship grows stronger with each passing round.

Ahead of tomorrow’s race, the eighth of 17 grands prix this season, Hamilton holds a 47-point title lead. Hamilton’s closest championship challenger, Max

Verstappen, who crashed in opening practice, was back in fifth, more than a second off the pace.

Ferrari might be pleased their home race is being played out against the backdrop of empty grandstands.

Leclerc and Vettel both fell off the road during second practice, with the former venting his frustration over the radio.

“This car complained.

The 22-year-old Monegasque finished 1.4 sec slower than Hamilton with Vettel 1.6 sec down.

The Alpha Tauri pair Pierre Gasly and Daniil Kvyat finished fourth and seventh. Carlos Sainz was sixth for McLaren.

George Russell handed the keys over to Williams’ reserve driver Roy Nissany for the morning session.

The Briton returned later in the day but finished last of the 20 competitors. is so hard to drive,” he