Montoya quickest at final practice session

Juan Pablo Montoya set up the prospect of a thrilling qualifying battle with Michael Schumacher at the Italian Grand Prix.

The Colombian finished the final practice session just 0.009 seconds ahead of his Ferrari rival.

Montoya had moved to second in first practice this morning before finally ending Schumacher's domination.

Schumacher's team-mate Rubens Barrichello saw his time on the track curtailed by a blown engine as practice resumed, but he posted a late flying lap to take third spot just over 0.4secs adrift of his fellow South American.

Montoya's team-mate Ralf Schumacher was fourth quickest just fractions slower than Barrichello.

Finland's Kimi Raikkonen was fifth quickest, just getting ahead of fellow McLaren-Mercedes team-mate David Coulthard in the second session.

Eddie Irvine also saw his position with Jaguar Racing team-mate Pedro de la Rosa reversed as he dropped to eighth spot ahead of qualifying.

Toyota's Allan McNish wound up a promising ninth fastest while Jenson Button finished a lowly 18th after sliding into a gravel trap early in the session in his Renault.