Charles Leclerc claimed the fastest lap in the first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, handing his team a one‑two sweep after his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, finished second. The Ferrari pair demonstrated the impact of a freshly introduced power‑unit upgrade, with Leclerc posting a lap time of 1:23.008, a full 0.173 seconds ahead of Hamilton.
Mercedes driver George Russell was the next quickest, edging into third place by roughly a tenth of a second. The session also highlighted the challenges faced by world‑championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who, after exceeding his seasonal allocation of engine components, will have to start the race from the very back of the grid. Despite that handicap, Antonelli managed to qualify fifth, out‑pacing several of his rivals.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, fresh from back‑to‑back victories that have revived his title aspirations, slipped to sixth, trailing his compatriot Antonelli. In the broader championship picture, Antonelli currently leads the standings, sitting 59 points clear of both Russell and Hamilton, while Norris occupies fourth place, 83 points behind the Italian driver.
These gaps underline the importance of every session at Monza, where the high‑speed nature of the circuit can dramatically reshape the points tally. Ferrari chose this home event to roll out the second of the two engine upgrades they are permitted to use during the season. The decision followed a recent FIA audit that revealed the Scuderia’s power unit lagged behind the outputs of Red Bull and Mercedes. In addition to the power‑unit enhancement, the team introduced a suite of chassis modifications tailored specifically for Monza’s long straights and sweeping corners.
The goal was to extract maximum aerodynamic efficiency and stability at the circuit’s blistering top speeds. What makes the practice results even more impressive is that both Leclerc’s and Hamilton’s best laps were set on the medium‑compound tyre, which is generally considered a compromise between durability and grip. In contrast, Russell’s quickest time came on the theoretically faster soft tyre, suggesting that the Ferrari package may have an inherent advantage on the more durable rubber.
However, given that Antonelli will start from the back regardless of his qualifying performance, it remains possible that Mercedes possesses latent speed that was not fully displayed in the session. Red Bull also posted a strong showing, with Liam Lawson securing fourth place.
Lawson was stepping in for Isack Hadjar, who missed the weekend after sustaining a wrist injury during the summer break. The Red Bull entry was notable because the team fielded a line‑up that did not include any of its officially contracted 2026 drivers, giving younger talent a chance to shine. Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, was among four drivers who ceded their seats to rookies for the practice run, allowing the team to evaluate emerging talent. Ayumu Iwasa, driving Verstappen’s Red Bull, managed to finish 17th, while Alpine’s Paul Aron emerged as the top rookie, clocking the tenth‑fastest time overall.
Cadillacs’ Colton Herta saw his opportunity cut short by a technical glitch, and Britain’s Luke Browning placed 15th for Williams. The weekend schedule is packed with support series and additional content for fans. On Friday, September 4, the day begins with the Formula 3 qualifying session at 12:55 pm, followed by Formula 2 qualifying at 1:50 pm, and the second practice session for the Italian Grand Prix at 2:35 pm.
The afternoon continues with the F1 Show at 3:00 pm, and the Team Bosses’ Press Conference at 4:15 pm, culminating in the F1 Show again at 5:20 pm. Saturday, September 5, kicks off with the Formula 3 Sprint at 8:25 am, then the third practice for the Grand Prix at 11:15 am (session starting at 11:30 am).
The Formula 2 Sprint follows at 1:10 pm, leading into the build‑up for qualifying at 2:15 pm. The main qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix starts at 3:00 pm, with a post‑qualifying analysis segment, "Ted’s Qualifying Notebook," at 5:00 pm.
Sunday, September 6, is the climax of the weekend. The Formula 3 Feature Race begins 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 airs at 12:30 pm, leading into the race itself at 2:00 pm. After the checkered flag at 4:00 pm, the broadcast will feature a reaction segment and "Ted’s Notebook" at 5:00 pm.
The qualifying session will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event. For viewers, the Italian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through the NOW platform, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. This ensures fans worldwide can follow Ferrari’s home race, the debut of their upgraded engine, and the unfolding drama of the championship battle in real time.
Overall, the first practice session at Monza has set the tone for what promises to be an exhilarating weekend. Ferrari’s strategic upgrades appear to be paying dividends, while the midfield teams are leveraging the opportunity to showcase emerging talent. With the grid set to be reshuffled by Antonelli’s penalty and the relentless pursuit of speed from all contenders, the race day will likely deliver a mix of strategic intrigue, high‑velocity action, and possibly a reshuffling of the championship order.