Lewis Hamilton tops FP1 at Monza, leading a Ferrari 1-2 in the Italian GP practice session. ‘Ferrari fans thrilled as Hamilton sets fastest lap.’
Introduction
The Italian Grand Prix weekend kicked off in thrilling style as Lewis Hamilton set the pace in Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the legendary Monza circuit. Under clear skies, Hamilton clocked a stunning 1m 20.117s on soft tyres, edging out Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and sparking excitement among the Tifosi. With unexpected rookies, dramatic red flags, and top contenders showing mixed form, FP1 provided plenty of storylines to set the tone for the weekend ahead.
The Setting: Monza Under Blue Skies
The opening session took place in perfect conditions, with the sun blazing over the Temple of Speed. Fans in red were out in full force, eager to see Ferrari shine on home soil. The circuit, known for its long straights and heavy braking zones, promised high-speed drama from the start.
Early Struggles at Turn One
The first chicane proved tricky for several drivers. Lando Norris was the first to overshoot into the run-off area, while Charles Leclerc and Nico Hulkenberg followed with similar excursions. A strong tailwind into the braking zone made the corner particularly challenging on a green track.
Norris and Albon Set the Early Benchmark
Norris was also the first man to dip under 1m 22s with a 1m 21.513s. Soon after, Alex Albon impressed on hard tyres, lowering the time to 1m 21.479s. Albon’s consistency stood out, showing that Williams might have pace to surprise.
Verstappen Joins the Battle
As track grip improved, Max Verstappen joined the fight, setting a 1m 21.166s on mediums. His feedback over the radio, complaining of tyres sliding, highlighted Red Bull’s struggles in fine-tuning balance. Later, he improved to 1m 20.751s but still lacked the dominance we’ve come to expect.
Rookie Opportunities for Dunne and Aron
With rookie outings mandated this season, Alex Dunne (McLaren) and Paul Aron (Alpine) got valuable track time. While both managed to keep their cars out of serious trouble, Aron spun into the chicane and Dunne struggled for outright pace, ending the session outside the top 15. Still, these laps provided crucial experience for their budding careers.
Isack Hadjar’s Off and the Red Flag Drama
The session was interrupted midway when Isack Hadjar went off at high speed through Ascari. His car kicked gravel across the track, forcing the red flag. Luckily, he rejoined safely, but the stoppage disrupted several flying laps.
Leclerc’s Brush with the Stewards
The red flag timing nearly caught Charles Leclerc out. He overtook a Kick Sauber just as the red flag was shown, an incident reviewed by the stewards. Ultimately, no further action was taken, allowing the Ferrari driver to continue his momentum in front of adoring home fans.
Ferrari Delight: A 1-2 at Home
Once running resumed, Leclerc delighted the Tifosi with a 1m 20.286s to briefly top the charts. The celebrations grew louder when Hamilton, in Ferrari colours this season, went even faster, cementing a Ferrari 1-2 in their home race’s opening session.
Hamilton’s Late Burst to the Top
In the final minutes, Hamilton strapped on the softs and delivered a blistering 1m 20.117s lap. Despite carrying a five-place grid penalty from Zandvoort, Hamilton showed he is very much in the fight for victory this weekend. His time left him 0.169s ahead of Leclerc, giving Ferrari fans real belief.
Williams and Mercedes in the Mix
Behind Ferrari, the surprise package was Carlos Sainz in the Williams, finishing third ahead of Verstappen. Youngster Kimi Antonelli also impressed for Mercedes, slotting into fifth. Both drivers underlined the unpredictable nature of this weekend’s pecking order.
Norris Left Searching for Pace
Despite his strong start, Norris couldn’t maintain momentum. He ended up sixth, nearly a full second off Hamilton’s pace. After losing points in Zandvoort, this wasn’t the confidence boost he had hoped for.
Russell’s Session Ends in Disappointment
For George Russell, FP1 ended early when his Mercedes ground to a halt in the closing minutes. The Virtual Safety Car was deployed, and Russell was left frustrated as he watched from the sidelines.
The Rest of the Top 10
The top 10 was rounded out by Fernando Alonso in ninth and Hadjar in tenth despite his earlier off. Both showed steady pace but will need to find more speed to challenge the frontrunners.
Rookie Order and Backmarkers
At the bottom of the timesheets were the rookies and Haas pairings. Gabriel Bortoleto led team mate Hulkenberg, while Aron ended last, over two seconds adrift of Hamilton’s benchmark. These gaps highlight the steep learning curve rookies face at Monza.
What FP1 Tells Us About the Weekend Ahead
While practice sessions are never the final word, FP1 suggested Ferrari may have a genuine shot at glory on home soil. Hamilton’s pace looked sharp, Leclerc was consistent, and the atmosphere at Monza felt electric. Red Bull and Mercedes showed glimpses of speed, but both still need fine-tuning. If this session was a taste of what’s to come, fans are in for a thrilling weekend.
Conclusion
FP1 at Monza was far from a simple warm-up. With Ferrari leading the way thanks to Hamilton and Leclerc, Red Bull hunting for grip, and rookies learning the ropes, the Italian Grand Prix weekend already feels alive with possibility. For the Tifosi, the dream start is here—but whether it lasts through qualifying and Sunday’s race remains to be seen.
FAQs
1. Who topped FP1 at the Italian Grand Prix?
Lewis Hamilton topped FP1 with a 1m 20.117s lap, ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc.
2. Why did FP1 have a red flag?
The session was stopped briefly after Isack Hadjar went off at Ascari, scattering gravel onto the track.
3. Which rookies took part in FP1?
Alex Dunne (McLaren) and Paul Aron (Alpine) joined the session as part of the rookie driver requirement.
4. Did Charles Leclerc face a penalty for overtaking under red flag?
No, the stewards reviewed the incident but decided against further action.
5. How did Red Bull perform in FP1?
Max Verstappen showed decent pace but struggled with grip, finishing behind Ferrari and Williams in fourth.
