Teenage sensation Verstappen raises eyebrows again in Italian GP practice

Verstappen was on a slow lap when he veered into the racing line, resulting in Rosberg nearly rear-ending him.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, gives the thumbs up as he stands next to Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany on the podium at the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix circuit in Spa-Francorchamps.(Photo|AP)

MONZA: Max Verstappen raised eyebrows again in the final practice session for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday, while Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were once more 1-2.

After tangling with the Ferrari cars in last weekend's Belgian GP, the 18-year-old Verstappen put his Red Bull in the way of Rosberg on the Monza circuit.

Verstappen was on a slow lap when he veered into the racing line, resulting in Rosberg nearly rear-ending him.

"What on earth was that?" Rosberg said on his radio as Verstappen waved to apologize.

Later, Verstappen was blocked by Kevin Magnussen's Renault, bouncing him wide.

"The car is moving around way too much," Verstappen told his team via radio as he placed eighth.

Hamilton was nearly four tenths of a second faster than Rosberg, with Sebastian Vettel nearly a second behind in third and Kimi Raikkonen fourth in the other Ferrari.

Hamilton also led Friday's second practice after Rosberg topped the first session.

"We have a gap. We are looking very good," Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said.

Qualifying is scheduled for later, with the race Sunday.

Conditions were perfect, with the temperature 28 Celsius (82 Fahrenheit) — but climbing.

Romain Grosjean spun off the track at the Ascari chicane, ending up with the nose of his Haas car pointing in the wrong direction. He tried to get going again but was beached in the gravel and had to climb out and walk away.