The Ferrari Italian Grand Prix practice could not have started better for the tifosi at Monza. Lewis Hamilton put Ferrari at the top of the timesheets in FP1, with Charles Leclerc close behind in second place. It was a perfect opening statement from the home team.
Ferrari Italian Grand Prix practice starts strong
Hamilton set a fastest lap of 1:20.117, keeping his Ferrari just under two tenths clear of Leclerc. Both drivers looked confident, delivering the one-two finish that fans in the grandstands had been dreaming of. The early pace showed Ferrari means business this weekend.
Competition from Williams and Red Bull
Williams impressed with Carlos Sainz, who slotted into third place and split the Ferrari duo at one stage. Max Verstappen also fought for the lead but had issues with grip on his Red Bull. Despite bolting on soft tyres, Verstappen could not beat Hamilton’s pace, ending the session fourth.
Rising names at Monza practice
Italian rising star Kimi Antonelli gave the crowd more to cheer about, finishing fifth in his Mercedes. Lando Norris kept McLaren in the mix with sixth, while Alex Albon and George Russell rounded out the top eight. Fernando Alonso and Isack Hadjar completed the top ten, showing how tight the midfield battle remains.
Extended runs and learning sessions
Behind the leaders, several teams used FP1 for extended programs. McLaren’s Alex Dunne, stepping in for Oscar Piastri, managed 16th place. Alpine reserve Paul Aron also joined the action, gaining valuable track time but ending in 20th position. For them, the experience was more valuable than outright speed.
A balanced start to Ferrari’s weekend
The Italian Grand Prix practice session underlined Ferrari’s potential. Both Hamilton and Leclerc looked settled with the car, finding speed on different tyre compounds. While rivals will push harder in FP2 and FP3, Ferrari already has the advantage of confidence on home soil.
Summary
Ferrari fans had every reason to celebrate after FP1 at Monza. With Hamilton first and Leclerc second, the Italian Grand Prix weekend started in the best possible way. Now the focus shifts to whether Ferrari can carry this form into qualifying and the race itself.
Disclaimer: Session results and details reflect official timing and reports at the time of writing. They may change as the weekend progresses.
Source: FIA
