Leclerc Tops First Practice at Monza as Ferrari Impresses
Charles Leclerc led the pack in the first practice session at Monza, putting Ferrari in prime position for their home race. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli faces an uphill battle starting from the back due to a power unit change.
Round 13 of the 2026 Formula 1 season brought the paddock to Monza, Italy, where the first practice session unfolded under the Italian sun. With Kimi Antonelli leading the championship by a comfortable 59 points, all eyes were on the home hero. However, Antonelli will have to navigate from the back of the grid due to a power unit change, adding a layer of intrigue to his weekend.
Charles Leclerc gave the Tifosi something to cheer about by clocking the fastest time in FP1, edging out Lewis Hamilton who settled for second. Not to be outdone, George Russell rounded out the top three, ensuring Mercedes remains a lurking threat.
Cadillac's Colton Herta faced early woes, stopping on track due to a hydraulic issue. His teammate will hope the team can sort out the gremlins before the next session.
As the teams gear up for FP2, Ferrari seems to have hit the ground running, with Leclerc leading the charge. Hamilton's performance bolstered Ferrari's optimism, but with Mercedes likely holding back, the true pecking order is far from settled.
Elsewhere, Racing Bulls' Yuki Tsunoda found himself lagging behind team-mate Arvid Lindblad by nearly eight-tenths of a second. With the car capable of a top 10 finish, Tsunoda needs to close the gap to stay competitive. Liam Lawson impressed in the Red Bull, finishing fourth despite the team only running soft tyres. Rumours of a potential power unit penalty for Lawson remain unconfirmed.
Next up is FP2, where more answers will be sought at the Temple of Speed. Will Ferrari maintain their upper hand, or will Mercedes and others reveal their true pace? Join us for all the action as the teams continue to fine-tune their setups for the iconic Italian Grand Prix.