In the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Charles Leclerc emerged as the fastest driver, securing the top spot on the leaderboard, while his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, claimed second place, delivering a striking one-two finish for the team. This performance came after Ferrari unveiled a fresh engine upgrade, marking a significant step forward for the Scuderia at their home circuit. Leclerc recorded a lap time of 1:23.008, which placed him 0.173 seconds ahead of Hamilton. The gap, though modest, underscored Ferrari's renewed pace after the introduction of the new power unit.
Mercedes’ George Russell trailed in third position, posting a time roughly a tenth of a second slower than Hamilton, indicating that the German outfit still possessed competitive speed despite the upgrades being showcased by their rivals. The session also highlighted the situation of world championship hopeful Kimi Antonelli, who, after exceeding his allocated quota of engine components for the season, will have to start the race from the back of the grid regardless of his qualifying performance.
Antonelli managed to finish fifth in the practice rankings, a respectable result that demonstrated his raw speed even though his starting position will be severely compromised. McLaren’s Lando Norris, fresh off back‑to‑back victories that have reignited his championship aspirations, placed sixth, just behind Antonelli. Norris’s pace suggests that the Briton remains a threat in the sprint of the weekend, although the gap to the leading Ferrari and Mercedes cars indicates that there is still work to be done to close the performance deficit.
In the current drivers’ standings, Antonelli leads both Russell and Hamilton by 59 points, while Norris sits 83 points behind the Italian driver, occupying fourth place overall. These figures illustrate the tight competition at the top of the table and the importance of every point earned throughout the weekend.
Ferrari chose Monza as the venue to roll out the second of the two engine upgrades they are permitted to use during the 2024 season. The decision follows a recent FIA assessment that determined Ferrari’s power unit was lagging behind the outputs of the Red Bull and Mercedes engines.
By deploying the upgrade at their home race, Ferrari aimed to maximize the impact of the new hardware on a circuit that rewards high‑speed efficiency. In addition to the power unit enhancements, the team introduced a suite of chassis modifications specifically tuned for Monza’s long straights and fast corners. These aerodynamic tweaks were designed to reduce drag and improve straight‑line stability, giving the cars a vital edge on a track where even fractional gains can translate into significant lap‑time improvements. Both Leclerc’s and Hamilton’s fastest laps were set on the medium‑compound tyre, a notable detail because the medium tyre typically offers a balanced mix of grip and durability, but is not the outright fastest option available.
Meanwhile, Russell’s best effort came on the soft tyre, which is theoretically the quickest compound due to its higher grip level. The fact that the leading times were achieved on mediums suggests that the new Ferrari package delivered strong performance even without resorting to the soft tyre’s maximum potential. It is worth noting that Antonelli, aware that his qualifying position will not affect his starting slot, may have been less motivated to push for a single‑lap time, potentially masking the true speed of the Mercedes package.
Consequently, the gap between Mercedes and Ferrari could be narrower than the practice figures alone imply. Red Bull’s Liam Lawson delivered a promising fourth‑place finish, representing a Red Bull entry that did not feature any of the team’s designated 2026 drivers. Lawson was stepping in for Isack Hadjar, who missed the weekend due to a wrist injury sustained during the summer break.
Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, also sat out the session, allowing four other drivers to gain valuable track time. In Verstappen’s Red Bull, French driver Ayumu Iwasa posted a 17th‑place lap, while Alpine’s Paul Aron emerged as the top rookie, securing a tenth‑place finish. Their performances highlight the depth of talent across the grid and the opportunities for emerging drivers to make an impression.
Cadillac’s representative, Colton Herta, was forced to retire early from the session due to a technical malfunction, and British youngster Luke Browning finished 15th for Williams, gaining experience on the historic circuit. The weekend schedule is packed with supporting series and events. On Friday, 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 second practice for the Italian Grand Prix at 2:35 pm. The F1 Show airs at 3:00 pm, and the Team Bosses’ Press Conference takes place at 4:15 pm.
Saturday features the Formula 3 sprint at 8:25 am, the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 11:15 am, the Formula 2 sprint at 1:10 pm, and the build‑up to qualifying at 2:15 pm, with the actual qualifying session starting at 3:00 pm, followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 5:00 pm. Sunday’s program includes the Formula 3 feature race at 7:10 am, the Formula 2 feature race at 8:40 am, the Porsche Supercup race at 10:40 am, a build‑up to the Grand Prix at 12:30 pm, the Italian Grand Prix itself at 2:00 pm, a post‑race reaction segment at 4:00 pm, and Ted’s Notebook at 5:00 pm.
The qualifying session will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event. Fans can catch all the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. The combination of Ferrari’s upgraded machinery, a competitive field, and a packed support program promises an exciting weekend at Monza, where the Scuderia will look to capitalize on their home advantage and challenge the dominance of Red Bull and Mercedes in the championship battle.