Reporting note: this article draws on Sky Sports; Score808 Live provides the summary and editorial framing.
Ferrari Sets the Benchmark in Opening Monza Practice
Ferrari locked out the top two spots in the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, validating an aggressive mechanical update package on home soil. Charles Leclerc set the fastest benchmark at 1:23.008s, edging team-mate Lewis Hamilton by 0.173s. George Russell finished third for Mercedes, a further tenth behind.
The session served as the track debut for Ferrari's second permitted power unit upgrade of the season. Following FIA measurements that identified a deficit against Mercedes and Red Bull powertrains, the Scuderia introduced the revised internal combustion components alongside a low-drag, circuit-specific chassis trim designed specifically for Monza’s long straights.
Tyre Data and Mechanical Pace
Ferrari’s pace carried additional weight due to tyre compound choices. Both Leclerc and Hamilton posted their fastest times on the yellow-walled medium compound. In contrast, Russell’s third-place effort required the theoretically faster soft compound, highlighting early mechanical efficiency for the Scuderia under heavy braking and high-speed traction zones.
- P1: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:23.008s (Medium tyre)
- P2: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.173s (Medium tyre)
- P3: George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.273s approx (Soft tyre)
- P4: Liam Lawson (Red Bull)
- P5: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- P6: Lando Norris (McLaren)
Championship Picture and Grid Penalties
World championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fifth in the session. Mercedes directed Antonelli's run programme toward race setup and tyre degradation rather than outright single-lap pace, as the Italian driver will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid after exceeding his maximum allocated engine components for the season.
Antonelli currently holds a 59-point championship lead over both Russell and Hamilton. McLaren’s Lando Norris, who entered Monza following two consecutive race victories, completed the top six, sitting 83 points adrift of Antonelli in fourth place.
Rookie Outings and Stand-in Drivers
Multiple teams adjusted their driver lineups for FP1 to fulfil mandatory rookie running obligations and cover injuries:
- Red Bull: Liam Lawson stood in for Isack Hadjar—who remains sidelined with a wrist injury—and secured fourth. Ayumu Iwasa took over Max Verstappen's car for the session, finishing 17th.
- Alpine: Paul Aron posted the strongest rookie result of the morning, ending the session in 10th.
- Williams: Britain's Luke Browning finished 15th.
- Cadillac: Colton Herta's practice run was cut short prematurely due to a mechanical issue.
Teams now shift focus to race simulations and low-fuel qualifying preparations ahead of Saturday's competitive sessions.