The Temple of Speed welcomed F1 back to Italy with a day that saw Ferrari delight the passionate Tifosi before McLaren struck back in typical Monza fashion. From Hamilton’s emotional home-crowd triumph to rookie dramas and multiple red flags, day one delivered classic Italian Grand Prix theater. What unfolded during the opening practice sessions? Stay tuned with Supercars.com.GH to find out!
FP1
Lewis Hamilton sent the Tifosi into raptures by leading a Ferrari 1-2 in FP1, topping the timesheets with a thrilling 1:20.117 that left teammate Charles Leclerc trailing by 0.169 seconds. The seven-time champion’s performance was made even sweeter knowing he faces a five-place grid penalty this weekend for his Zandvoort indiscretion.
The session featured notable rookie appearances as Alex Dunne returned to Oscar Piastri’s McLaren after his impressive Red Bull Ring debut, while Paul Aron took over Franco Colapinto’s Alpine. Both drivers are part of F1’s mandatory rookie practice requirements, though Dunne struggled to 15th while Aron finished last, two seconds off Hamilton’s pace.
Early drama unfolded as drivers struggled with challenging conditions at the opening chicane. Lando Norris became the first casualty, running through the run-off area, followed by both Leclerc and Nico Hulkenberg as a tailwind caught several drivers off guard on the green Monza surface.
The session’s most significant moment came when Isack Hadjar suffered a high-speed off through Ascari, spewing gravel across the circuit and necessitating red flags. Leclerc found himself in trouble after overtaking a Kick Sauber just as red flags were displayed, though stewards took no further action after initially noting the incident.
FP2
Norris bounced back emphatically in FP2, leading the session with a commanding 1:19.878 as McLaren reasserted their championship credentials. Charles Leclerc provided strong Ferrari representation in second, just 0.083s behind, while Carlos Sainz impressed by claiming third for Williams, showcasing the competitive nature of the midfield.
Drama struck early when home hero Kimi Antonelli lost control of his Mercedes through Lesmo 2, beaching the car and triggering red flags. The Italian’s disappointing session highlighted the challenging nature of Monza for inexperienced drivers, though the passionate crowd remained supportive.
Mirror troubles plagued both McLaren drivers early on, with Piastri suffering a cracked mirror and Norris losing his altogether. The red flag period allowed crucial repairs, enabling both drivers to show their true pace once running resumed.
Max Verstappen struggled throughout the session, reporting his Red Bull was “really jumpy” and “nervous on every little bump” on soft tires. The Dutchman could only manage sixth, highlighting ongoing balance issues that have plagued Red Bull in recent rounds.
Alex Albon produced a remarkable save through Lesmo 1 after a dramatic mid-corner snap, showcasing his driving skills while finishing seventh for Williams in another strong midfield showing.
Can Ferrari maintain their early promise heading into Saturday’s crucial sessions? Join Supercars.com.GH tomorrow to find out!