Eight drivers summoned to the stewards after messy end to FP3

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Eight drivers - including Lewis Hamilton - have been summoned to the Italian Grand Prix stewards ahead of qualifying following a close call involving the Mercedes driver at the end of FP3.

Hamilton was fast approaching Parabolica in the closing stages of the session when he was forced to take avoiding action to dodge a group of slow cars spread across the track.

The action - a common occurence this weekend at Monza - was frowned upon by the stewards who called in Nicholas Latifi, Romain Grosjean, Sergio Perez, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll, Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz ahead of qualifying.

Ricciardo urges rivals to be 'sensible' and avoid qualifying mess

Hamilton was also summoned to race control but is not under investigation.

After last year's antics in qualifying, when drivers bunched up in Q3 to neutralize each other and prevent slipstreaming, the FIA introduced a 1m43s minimum lap time for qualifying for all laps that are not out-laps.

Even in free practice several drivers indulged in the shambles just to gain a tow, with potentially catastrophic consequences.

On Friday, Hamilton feared "nightmare" traffic in this afternoon's qualifying, a concern shared by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

"You will see in qualifying that everyone will be going for that [tow]," said the Dutchman.

"It also depends a bit on how you are going on your out-lap. But expect that this will cause a lot of chaos during qualifying."

Update: No further action has been taken by the stewards.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.