HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the action from second practice in Monza as Sainz sets the pace for Ferrari and Perez crashes

Ferrari made a strong start to their home race as Carlos Sainz set the pace in the second practice session in Monza, the Spaniard leading the way ahead of the McLaren of Lando Norris and the Red Bull of Sergio Perez.

On his qualifying simulations run, Sainz's second time on the soft tyre of 1m 21.355s was good enough to pip Norris to fastest lap by just 0.019s. Perez was just over a tenth back off the pace of Sainz’s time in third place, although the Mexican did suffer a hefty crash late on in the session as he skidded across the gravel.

FP2: Sainz leads Norris as Perez crashes out during second practice at Monza

Oscar Piastri was fourth, capping a fine FP2 for McLaren, with Max Verstappen in fifth, although the championship leader suffered from traffic on his fast lap. Charles Leclerc, in the other Ferrari, was sixth ahead Williams' Alex Albon.

Fernando Alonso was eighth fastest for Aston Martin, ahead of George Russell in ninth for Mercedes, as the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top-10.

Lewis Hamilton was 17th fastest for Mercedes, although the Briton did not set a fast lap on the softs, while Lance Stroll’s day ended early when a fuel systems issue left him at the side of the track.

Click on the video player above to watch the action from the second practice session in Monza, as the drivers gear up for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.