After Zandvoort, Monza is ready to host the second race weekend back from the summer break, in the iconic temple of speed. There are many new features among the modernization works of the circuit and the changes to the track, and among the updates brought by the various teams. Among the most anticipated, in addition Red Bull and McLaren, the team of the two contenders for the title there is of course Ferrari. The Maranello team hopes to be able to count on the support and warmth of the home crowd but also on a substantial package of updates to continue the streak of podiums and find the right path for 2025. But to do so, it will be necessary to find the optimal operating window for the single-seater and for this reason the three free practice sessions will be decisive. A great test also concerns qualifying, the Achilles heel of the SF-24. There is also much anticipation for the debut of Andrea Kimi Antonelli in Mercedes. So let's see what happened in FP1 of the Italian GP in Monza.
Red Bull chasing McLaren, Ferrari experiments with many upgrades
Between the two litigants, Red Bull and McLaren, Ferrari hopes to be able to insinuate itself and revive the season at Monza with one last big package of updates. Many new features brought by the Maranello team, including adaptations to the track that concern in particular the wings, other changes to the bonnet, mirrors and nose but above all a new floor, revised in many areas including that of the diffuser. A substantial package with scrupulous attention to detail, aimed at improving performance from Monza onwards. Already this weekend for Ferrari there will be important feedback on these innovations but the intention is to continue experimenting. If a victory were to arrive, well, the satisfaction would be double.
Antonelli starts off bitterly with crash on FP1 debut at Monza
Among the very first drivers to take to the track at Monza for FP1 is a new and very young face in Formula 1, that of Andrea Kimi Antonelli aboard the Mercedes W15. With red tires to immediately gain confidence with the track, Kimi takes first place ahead of Hamilton with the same tire, Norris, Sainz on yellow tires. In the meantime, other drivers also take to the track, including Max Verstappen who goes long at the first variant as well as Sainz and Leclerc. A constant that is not surprising given the new asphalt.
Unfortunately, Kimi Antonelli's debut was short-lived due to an accident that forced him to retire early after just 10 minutes. The session was over for the Italian who had started with great determination. Toto Wolff's reaction was exemplary, immediately reassuring the Italian for a mistake that, especially at Monza with the high speeds, is paid dearly. The extent of the damage on the W15 that Antonelli inherited from George Russell remains to be seen. The car has been fitted with a new specification of underbody.
The session resumes, Leclerc lights up Monza
With 36 minutes to go the session resumes. For the Monza weekend, several teams have decided to bring a completely new engine. In particular, with the fourth unit (the last before incurring a penalty) we find Mercedes, McLaren, Aston Martin, Haas, Stake and Williams, which however decided to mount it only on Franco Colapinto's single-seater.
With 30 minutes to go, the provisional standings see Lewis Hamilton in the lead with the red tyre, followed by Valtteri Bottas, also with the soft. Norris and Sainz are the first drivers with yellow tyres to lead the standings. Not a great session for Charles Leclerc, who is not happy with the behaviour of the SF-24. The first attempt with the Soft Leclerc closes it 12 thousandths from the first time of Valtteri Bottas, surprisingly back in first position.
The fight for the fastest lap came to a head with 15 minutes to go, with Charles Leclerc managing to improve on Bottas' time on used tyres and resist the attack of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, second and third respectively. Leclerc's time was further improved by Max Verstappen, who came out into the open and on new tyres after a session spent at the back.
The last few minutes are dedicated to a quick simulation of the race pace. Among these, the time of Lando Norris' McLaren stands out, even if we don't know, of course, the engine mappings.
Here is the top 10 of FP1 from the Italian GP in Monza
Max Verstappen
Charles Leclerc
Lando Norris
Carlos Sainz
Valtteri Bottas
Oscar piastri
Lewis Hamilton
Alexander albon
Sergio Perez
Fernando Alonso
