The 16th round of the 2025 Formula 1 championship took place this weekend at the iconic Autodromo Nazionale Monza, where the first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix began. Lewis Hamilton leads Ferrari revival by topping the timesheets in a session that excited the home fans and showcased strong performances from several top drivers.
Ferrari Impresses in Practice, Hamilton Leads the Way
Ferrari delighted their home crowd during the FP1 session as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc demonstrated strong pace with their SF-25 cars. The team ran a special tribute livery honoring Niki Lauda, who remains one of Hamilton’s greatest inspirations. Hamilton honored that legacy by setting the fastest lap of FP1, edging out his teammate Leclerc.
Hamilton’s time of 1:20.117 seconds secured him the top spot, confirming Ferrari’s comeback strength at Monza. Leclerc closely followed in second place, reinforcing the team’s dominant performance on Friday afternoon.
Competitive Showings from Former and Current Stars
Carlos Sainz, who recently switched to Williams from Ferrari, proved that he remains competitive on Italian soil by securing third fastest in FP1. Just behind him was reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who tackled the famed Monza track with his usual intensity. Home favorite Kimi Antonelli claimed fifth place for Mercedes, providing local fans with reasons to cheer.
George Russell, another Mercedes driver, experienced technical issues at the end of the session, losing power and ending FP1 on an unfortunate note. The drama continued when Racing Bulls racer Isack Hadjar went off track at the Ascari Chicane, briefly halting the session.
Leclerc’s Red Flag Incident Investigated and Cleared
During the red flag caused by Hadjar’s incident, Charles Leclerc was assessed by the stewards for a potential infringement, as they reviewed whether he slowed sufficiently. Leclerc defended his actions over team radio, stating that he “broke as hard as possible” when the red flag appeared. After a swift FIA investigation within the session, he was cleared of any wrongdoing, allowing him to continue unhindered.
Young Drivers Gain Experience During Practice
This session also saw rookies take the wheel in place of their regular teammates. Irish driver Alex Dunne replaced Oscar Piastri for McLaren, while Paul Aron joined Alpine, standing in for Franco Colapinto. Such opportunities will be important for these young racers as they adapt to Formula 1’s demanding environment.
Comprehensive FP1 Results at the Italian Grand Prix
The full times from Friday’s first practice session illustrate the competitive field:
1. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:20.117
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
5. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
6. Lando Norris (McLaren)
7. Alex Albon (Williams)
8. George Russell (Mercedes)
9. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
10. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
11. Gabriel Bortoleto (Kick Sauber)
12. Nico Hulkenberg (Kick Sauber)
13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
14. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
15. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
16. Alex Dunne (McLaren)
17. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
19. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
20. Paul Aron (Alpine)
Max Verstappen Holds the Champion Title
Max Verstappen remains the reigning world champion, having claimed his fourth drivers’ championship title last year. His consistent performances keep him among the favorites as the 2025 season progresses.
Upcoming Sessions Promise Intense Competition
The second practice session for the Italian Grand Prix is scheduled for later today at 4:00 pm BST, followed by FP3 at 11:30 am BST on Saturday. These sessions will be crucial for teams and drivers as they fine-tune their setups for one of F1’s legendary circuits.
