The curtain rose on the 2024 Italian Grand Prix weekend with a thrilling FP1 session at the legendary Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Known as the “Temple of Speed,” Monza’s high-speed straights and historic corners have always been a favorite among drivers and fans alike. This year, however, the excitement reached a new level as the grid roared to life, with teams eager to test their updated machines on the demanding circuit. FP1 didn’t disappoint, delivering a session filled with surprises, standout performances, and a few unexpected dramas.
The session began under clear skies, with temperatures ideal for maximizing tire performance—a crucial factor at a track where straight-line speed and braking stability are paramount. The anticipation was palpable as the cars lined up in the garages, ready to hit the track. As the green light flicked on, it was a mad rush to get the first laps in, with all 20 drivers eager to find their rhythm and collect vital data.
Red Bull Racing, the team to beat this season, came out with their usual confidence. Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, quickly set the pace, his RB20 looking planted through the chicanes and blisteringly quick on the straights. Verstappen’s precision through the Ascari and Parabolica, two of the trickiest corners at Monza, was a masterclass in car control. His early lap times immediately established him as the man to beat, but the session was far from a one-man show.
Ferrari, racing on home soil, faced immense pressure to perform, and Charles Leclerc delivered. The tifosi, decked out in red, cheered every time Leclerc’s SF-24 flashed by. Leclerc responded by pushing his car to the limit, setting a time that briefly challenged Verstappen’s dominance. The Prancing Horse was back on familiar ground, and the roar from the grandstands was deafening every time Leclerc improved his sector times. Carlos Sainz, his teammate, wasn’t far behind, making it clear that Ferrari was determined to impress at their home Grand Prix.
Mercedes, still refining their W15 after a mixed season, had a productive session. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell focused on long runs, collecting data that would be crucial for race strategy. Hamilton, always a fan of Monza, looked particularly comfortable, finding a balance between speed and tire management. Russell, meanwhile, continued to demonstrate his growing maturity and adaptability, clocking in times that kept Mercedes in the mix.
However, the real surprise of the session came from McLaren. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri showed impressive pace, their car clearly benefiting from the recent upgrades introduced for Monza’s unique demands. Norris, in particular, seemed to have found an extra gear, consistently posting times that kept him within striking distance of the front runners. McLaren’s performance hinted at a potential upset in the making, setting the stage for an intriguing battle as the weekend progresses.
But FP1 wasn’t without its dramas. The most significant incident involved F2 rising star Kimi Antonelli, who was making his much-anticipated F1 practice debut with Mercedes. Antonelli’s session started well, but his day took a dramatic turn when he lost control of his car at the Parabolica. The high-speed corner caught him out, resulting in a heavy crash that brought his session to an abrupt end. The young Italian emerged unscathed, but the damage to the car was extensive, leaving the Mercedes mechanics with a mountain of work ahead of FP2.
As the checkered flag fell on FP1, the session provided a tantalizing glimpse of what lies ahead for the weekend. Verstappen’s dominance, Ferrari’s fightback, McLaren’s resurgence, and the ongoing development battles between the top teams all set the stage for an epic Italian Grand Prix. The data collected during FP1 will be crucial as teams refine their setups and strategies, but one thing is certain: Monza is living up to its reputation as a track where anything can happen. With FP2 and beyond still to come, the excitement is only just beginning.
