In the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Charles Leclerc claimed the fastest lap, delivering a one‑two finish for his team alongside Lewis Hamilton. The performance highlighted Ferrari's progress after unveiling a fresh engine upgrade at their home circuit.
Leclerc recorded a lap time of 1:23.008, edging out Hamilton by 0.173 seconds. Mercedes driver George Russell completed the top three, posting a time roughly a tenth of a second slower than Hamilton. The session also saw championship frontrunner Kimi Antonelli, who will start from the back of the grid on Sunday due to exceeding his allocated engine components for the year, finish fifth for Mercedes. McLaren’s Lando Norris, fresh off consecutive victories that have revived his title aspirations, ended the session in sixth place, just behind Antonelli.
The current drivers' standings place Antonelli 59 points ahead of both Russell and Hamilton, while Norris sits 83 points behind the Italian star in fourth place. These gaps underscore the competitive pressure heading into the race weekend. Ferrari chose Monza, their traditional home venue, to introduce the second of the two engine upgrades permitted under the season’s regulations.
The decision came after the FIA’s performance audits revealed that Ferrari’s power unit lagged behind those supplied by Red Bull and Mercedes. In addition to the power‑unit enhancement, the Scuderia brought a suite of chassis modifications specifically tailored for the high‑speed demands of the Monza circuit. These aerodynamic tweaks were intended to improve straight‑line stability and cornering grip, essential factors on a track famed for its long straights and fast corners. What makes the session particularly noteworthy is that both Leclerc’s and Hamilton’s best laps were set on the medium‑compound tyres, which are generally considered a balanced choice between durability and grip.
By contrast, Russell’s quickest time came on the theoretically faster soft compound, suggesting that the Mercedes may have hidden performance potential that was not fully displayed in the limited practice run. Given Antonelli’s situation—knowing his qualifying position will not affect his starting spot because he is already slated to begin from the back—the driver could afford to focus on race‑pace data rather than outright speed. This strategic approach might mask the true speed of the Mercedes package, leaving room for a surprise performance on Sunday.
Among the other notable performances, Red Bull’s reserve driver Liam Lawson secured a promising fourth place, despite the team fielding a lineup that did not include either of its official 2026 drivers. Lawson was substituting for Isack Hadjar, who missed the session after sustaining a wrist injury during the sport’s summer break. Max Verstappen also took part in the practice, sharing the track with several rookies as part of Red Bull’s plan to give emerging talent valuable experience. Ayumu Iwasa, driving for Verstappen’s Red Bull entry, finished 17th, while Alpine’s Paul Aron emerged as the top rookie, landing in 10th place.
Cadillac’s Colton Herta saw his opportunity cut short by a technical glitch, and British driver Luke Browning placed 15th for Williams. The weekend schedule is packed with supporting series and events. On Friday, September 4, the day begins with the Formula 3 qualifying session at 12:55 pm, followed by the Formula 2 qualifying at 1:50 pm, and then the first practice for the Italian Grand Prix at 2:35 pm. The F1 Show airs at 3:00 pm, and the Team Bosses’ Press Conference wraps up the day at 4:15 pm, with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5:20 pm.
Saturday, September 5, features the Formula 3 Sprint at 8:25 am, the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 11:15 am (starting at 11:30 am), the Formula 2 Sprint at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to qualifying at 2:15 pm. The Italian Grand Prix qualifying itself commences at 3:00 pm, with the results and analysis presented in Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5:00 pm. The session will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
Sunday, September 6, is the climax of the weekend. The Formula 3 Feature Race starts at 7:10 am, followed by the Formula 2 Feature Race at 8:40 am, and the Porsche Supercup Race at 10:40 am.
The Grand Prix build‑up begins at 12:30 pm, leading to the main event—the Italian Grand Prix—at 2:00 pm. Post‑race coverage, including the chequered flag ceremony and reaction analysis, airs at 4:00 pm, with Ted’s Notebook concluding the broadcast at 5:00 pm. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. This accessibility ensures that viewers worldwide can experience the excitement of Ferrari’s home race, the strategic battles over upgrades, and the unfolding drama of the championship fight.
Overall, the practice session at Monza has set the stage for a thrilling weekend. Ferrari’s successful implementation of their engine and chassis upgrades suggests they may finally have the tools to challenge Red Bull and Mercedes on a circuit that traditionally favors their high‑speed prowess. Meanwhile, the presence of rookies and reserve drivers adds an extra layer of intrigue, as teams balance the need for performance data with the development of future talent.
As the grid lines up for qualifying on Saturday, the motorsport community will be watching closely to see whether the promising practice times translate into a strong race result for the Scuderia and whether the other front‑running teams can match or exceed the pace demonstrated in Monza’s early sessions.