George Russell sets fastest lap in Italian GP practice as Mercedes challenges Ferrari

Formula 1 title contender George Russell has hit back at early pacesetters Ferrari with the fastest lap of ​the day for Mercedes in Italian Grand Prix practice.

Russell surged to the top of the standings in second practice at the fast Monza circuit.

His lap ​of one minute and 22.559 seconds was ‌0.120 quicker than Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who was second in session two.

Russell served a notice of intent ahead of Sunday's race, which he needs to win to close the 59-point gap to championship-leading teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Leclerc had clocked a best time of 1:23.008, which was 0.173 quicker than Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton, in the first practice session.

"There's still some work ahead of us as our competitors look strong, but ⁠so far the feeling with the car was solid," Leclerc said.

Seven-time champion Hamilton was fifth in the second session.

Antonelli, who is set to start from the back of the grid due to engine penalties, was third fastest in the second session and 0.141 off the pace.

McLaren's reigning world champion, Lando Norris, was fourth, while his Australian teammate, Oscar Piastri, was sixth in the second session.

Norris has won the past two races and will be chasing a hat-trick on Sunday.

"The pace isn't where we need it to be right now," Norris said.

Gasly docked Monaco podium

Alpine's Pierre Gasly was stripped of his third place at the Monaco Grand Prix and Isack Hadjar reinstated to third position following a successful appeal by two Formula 1 teams.

Gasly dropped to seventh place in the June 7 race after ​a pair of ‌five-second penalties were applied.

Initially, the penalties for speeding infractions had been rescinded one week after the race.

McLaren and Red Bull appealed to ‌the FIA's International Court of Appeal, with a hearing held ⁠in Paris on August 25.

The decision to ‌reinstate the original finish order ​was announced Friday.

Piastri was elevated to fourth place following the successful appeal.