News summary
The 2021 incident ended with both drivers retiring, while Verstappen was later handed a 3-place grid penalty for the following race.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen nearly made contact at Turn 1 during FP3 at Monza, in a tense moment reminiscent of their 2021 clash.
Verstappen was preparing for a final flying lap when Hamilton overtook him before the first chicane, forcing the Red Bull driver to react.
The rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen flared up again during FP3 at the Italian GP, with the pair coming close to a repeat of the iconic scene from the 2021 race at Monza. This time, however, Hamilton was able to avoid contact as the two fought for space approaching Turn 1.
With 30 seconds remaining in the session, several cars were running slowly on the straight before the Parabolica, while Verstappen led the group and prepared to begin his final flying lap. Hamilton, however, chose not to wait and accelerated past the Red Bull.
Verstappen reacted to the move by accelerating as well and pulling alongside Hamilton. The Red Bull driver then appeared to give the Ferrari driver an ironic thumbs-up before braking late for Turn 1.
Hamilton was forced to run off track to avoid contact, preventing the incident from escalating into another collision between the former title rivals.
The location immediately brought back memories of the 2021 Italian GP, when Hamilton and Verstappen were fighting fiercely for the championship.
On that occasion, the two drivers had made their pit stops and Hamilton rejoined the track slightly ahead of Verstappen. The Red Bull driver attempted to go around the outside into the first chicane, but contact with the kerb sent his car over Hamilton’s Mercedes.
The collision ended the race for both drivers on Lap 26. The stewards subsequently judged Verstappen predominantly responsible and handed him a 3-place grid penalty for the following race in Russia, along with 2 penalty points.
The latest incident was considerably less dramatic, but the visual similarities were striking: Verstappen again tried to hold his line around the outside while Hamilton avoided contact by running beyond the track limits.
George Russell went on to top FP3 at Monza with a 1:22.219, ahead of Hamilton and Verstappen, while the Ferrari driver finished 0.226s off his former Mercedes teammate.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is covering all the action from the Italian GP, the 13th round of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
FAQ
1. What happened between Hamilton and Verstappen in Monza FP3?
Hamilton overtook Verstappen while the Red Bull driver was preparing for a flying lap. Verstappen accelerated alongside Hamilton and braked late for Turn 1, forcing Hamilton to run off track to avoid contact.
2. What happened between Hamilton and Verstappen at the 2021 Italian GP?
The pair collided at the first chicane after Verstappen attempted to pass Hamilton around the outside. Both cars were eliminated from the race, and Verstappen received a 3-place grid penalty for the following Russian GP.
3. Who was fastest in Italian GP FP3?
George Russell topped FP3 with a 1:22.219, beating Hamilton by 0.226s and Verstappen by 0.350s.
