Monza FP3: Hamilton has the edge with Ferrari in the hunt

Lewis Hamilton signaled his intent as he topped the timing screens, at the end of the third and final free practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, with a time four tenths quicker than his closest rival and teammate Nico Rosberg.

The reigning world champion set a best lap time of 1:22.008 during a quick run, which was 0.393 of a second faster than Rosberg's best. But the German would have been quicker, but was baulked on his hot lap by Max Verstappen dawdling in the Red Bull.

Ferrari's upgraded engine appears to be paying dividends, on home soil, as Sebastian Vettel and Kini Raikkonen were third and fourth in the one hour session. However Vettel's best was nearly a second down on Hamilton's top time, indicating that Mercedes are untouchable at the Temple of Speed this weekend.

Surprisingly, based on current form, up next were the two Williams driver with Valtteri Bottas fifth on the timing screens and Felipe Massa sixth.

Red Bull appear to be struggling for outright pace at the high speed venue, with Daniel Ricciardo and Verstappen ending the session in seventh and eighth respectively.

Ninth was Sergio Perez in the Force India, with teammate Nico Hulkenberg eleventh as the Silverstone based team struggle to find the sweet spot at Monza.

Splitting them, in ninth, was Esteban Gutierrez in the Haas, also a recipient of Ferrari's upgraded power unit.