(Monza) Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr. gave fans something to cheer about in the second free practice session of the Italian Grand Prix.

Sainz marked his 29th birthday by setting the fastest time in the second free practice session on Friday at the Monza circuit.

He set the fastest lap in his Ferrari in one minute 21,355 seconds.

Sainz edged out Lando Norris (McLaren) and Sergio Perez (Red Bull), who crashed late in the race.

The session was interrupted after Perez’s vehicle kicked up a lot of dust and debris as it entered the gravel. The back of his Red Bull ended up in the crash barriers.

Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) was also responsible for an immobilization at the start of the session after his car broke down.

The Quebecer, who had given way to test driver Felipe Drugovich (18th time) in the first session, did not obtain a reference time for the afternoon session.

His team-mate, Fernando Alonso, set the eighth fastest time in the second session, after setting the sixth fastest time in the morning.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who will try to set a new mark on Sunday with a 10th consecutive victory, clocked the fifth fastest time in the second session, behind the McLaren of Oscar Piastri. He had established the reference time for the first session.