FORMULA 1 driver Lewis Hamilton was fastest in second practice for the 2012 Italian Grand Prix at Monza this afternoon (Friday).

Putting speculation about a possible move to Mercedes GP next season to one side, the 27-year-old from Hertfordshire topped the P2 timesheets at the famous circuit just north of Milan.

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes ace was fastest overall in Italy with a lap time of 1m 25.290s.

Hamilton’s current McLaren teammate, Jenson Button, winner of last weekend’s Belgian GP at Spa, was second on a 1m 25.328s.

FIA F1 World Drivers’ Championship leader Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa gave Ferrari fans something to cheer by posting the third and fourth best times respectively of the afternoon session.

Nico Rosberg was fifth quickest at Monza, with fellow Mercedes man Michael Schumacher, who went fastest in P1, 10th.