Leclerc Heads Ferrari One-Two in Opening Monza Practice

BBC Sport reports that Charles Leclerc set the pace in first practice for the Italian Grand Prix, leading Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton at Monza. Leclerc finished the opening session 0.173 seconds clear of the seven-time world champion, giving Ferrari the top two positions at the start of its home weekend.

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Mercedes driver George Russell was third fastest. Liam Lawson took fourth while again standing in at Red Bull for the injured Isack Hadjar, and championship leader Kimi Antonelli placed fifth in the other Mercedes. Antonelli was 0.636 seconds slower than Leclerc's quickest lap.

The session was held in sweltering conditions and included a red flag after rookie Colton Herta stopped on track with a hydraulic problem. Herta was driving the Cadillac normally raced by Sergio Perez for the opening practice hour. The stoppage interrupted a session in which teams were also dealing with traffic around the circuit.

Antonelli arrived at Monza holding a 59-point championship lead over Hamilton and Russell, but the Italian faces a major obstacle later in the weekend. BBC Sport says Antonelli will start Sunday's race from the back of the grid after receiving a penalty for taking a new power unit, an opportunity Ferrari will hope to exploit.

Lando Norris was sixth for McLaren after winning the previous two races in Hungary and Zandvoort. Norris followed Antonelli and Williams driver Carlos Sainz across the gravel at the first chicane, while Russell and Leclerc also tested the circuit's limits. Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad was seventh, ahead of Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto and Alpine's Franco Colapinto.

Paul Aron completed the top 10 while replacing Pierre Gasly in the second Alpine for the first hour. Oscar Piastri finished 11th in the other McLaren, more than four tenths behind Norris. Yuki Tsunoda, taking Lawson's Racing Bulls seat for a second consecutive race weekend, was 12th, followed by Nico Hulkenberg for Audi and Haas driver Oliver Bearman.