Leclerc Leads Ferrari 1-2 in Monza Practice

Charles Leclerc gave the Tifosi exactly what they wanted to see on Friday morning, topping first practice at the Italian Grand Prix and leading a Ferrari 1-2 ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

On a weekend loaded with expectation at Monza, Ferrari wasted no time in flexing their muscles. Leclerc found the rhythm early, dialled himself into the low-fuel runs and stayed there, his name pinned to the top of the timesheets as the session settled. Hamilton slotted in behind to underline the team’s intent on home soil.

For the rest of the field, it was an early reminder: Ferrari have come to play.

Mercedes, though, were not far away. George Russell ended the session fourth fastest in the leading Silver Arrow, a solid marker as the team look to disrupt Ferrari’s party in front of the Italian faithful. Between the red cars and Russell, the story took a twist.

Liam Lawson, back in a Red Bull seat for the first time this weekend as he steps in for the injured Isack Hadjar, made his return felt immediately. Confident, sharp, and wasting no laps, Lawson fired in a time good enough for third and parked himself right in the thick of the frontrunners. For a stand-in, it was anything but a cautious reintroduction.

Behind him, championship leader Kimi Antonelli kept his campaign steady with the fifth-fastest time for Mercedes. No fireworks, no drama, just the kind of controlled start that sustains a title bid over a long season.

Lando Norris, chasing a third consecutive victory and carrying the form of a driver who suddenly expects to be at the front every weekend, rounded out the top six. He didn’t quite land a headline lap in FP1, but his presence near the sharp end felt ominous enough for anyone eyeing the podium.

Among the rookies, Alpine’s Paul Aron quietly produced one of the standout efforts of the session. He muscled his way into 10th place, a clean, composed run that suggested he’s adapting quickly to the demands of the car and the circuit. On a day when experience usually tells, Aron refused to be intimidated.

Not everyone’s morning went to plan. Colton Herta endured a frustrating third FP1 outing with Cadillac, his session effectively over almost as soon as it began. After just five laps, his car gave up, rolling to a halt and leaving Herta watching the remainder from the garage. For a driver trying to build mileage and momentum, it was the worst kind of interruption.

As the grandstands slowly filled and the red flags and flares began to appear, Ferrari had already laid down their first marker. Leclerc on top, Hamilton right behind, the rest chasing.

If this is how the weekend starts, Monza may yet belong to the Scuderia.