Italian Grand Prix Practice Report: Hamilton Leads Opening Session
Monza, Italy — Lewis Hamilton set the pace in the opening practice session of the Italian Grand Prix, clocking a fastest lap of 1:20.117 on used soft tires. Competing for Ferrari, Hamilton’s performance highlighted his adaptability as he secured the top spot in the final five minutes of the session, showcasing purple sector times in both the second and third sectors.
Charles Leclerc finished second, having recorded his best time with 15 minutes remaining. Notably, Leclerc was fastest in the first sector, underscoring Ferrari’s competitive advantage on home turf. However, he faced brief scrutiny from the stewards regarding an overtaking maneuver during a red flag incident, which was dismissed as he had no choice but to pass a slow-moving Sauber after the flags were displayed.
Carlos Sainz emerged as a late contender, rounding out the top three with a time just 0.533 seconds off Hamilton’s pace, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen, who finished fourth, 0.042 seconds adrift of Sainz. Verstappen expressed concerns over rear axle instability across all tire compounds, indicating further adjustments will be necessary prior to the next session.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished fifth despite a brief excursion through the gravel at Ascari, which contributed to a red flag. Lando Norris, in sixth, struggled with a consistent pace, requiring assistance from teammate Alex Dunne for slipstreaming support but faced challenges early in the session, including a wide moment that led to a mid-session red flag.
Alex Albon added to Williams’ strong showing with a seventh-place finish, while George Russell ended the session eighth despite a power loss that halted his progress near the Ascari chicane. The Mercedes driver, already under investigation for a track limits infringement, will need to address these issues moving forward.
Fernando Alonso secured ninth for Aston Martin, while Isack Hadjar rounded out the top ten. Several drivers reported issues, including Liam Lawson, who noted unusual noises from his turbocharger during the session.
In the lower ranks, Yuki Tsunoda placed 14th in the other Red Bull, while McLaren’s Alex Dunne, stepping in for Oscar Piastri, finished 16th. Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly faced frustrating runs, with Ocon finishing 17th amid traffic concerns.
The session concluded with Alpine junior Paul Aron, substituting for Franco Colapinto, in last place, posting a time half a second slower than Gasly after a spin at the Roggia chicane.
Session Highlights:
-
Top 3 Finishers:
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:20.117
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.000
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +0.533
-
Key Observations:
- Hamilton’s strong finish underlines potential for the weekend.
- Ferrari shows promising pace across all sectors.
- Verstappen’s handling issues may hinder competitive performance.
As teams prepare for the second practice session, adjustments and strategies will be crucial in setting expectations for the race weekend ahead.
