Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix: Free Practice 1 Results

Red Flag for gravel issues

Former Scuderia driver Carlos Sainz was good enough for third in his Williams but some half a second off the pace, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen narrowly behind the Spaniard despite a lack of confidence with his car's grip.

Home driver Kimi Antonelli crashed during his first F1 practice session here for Mercedes last season but got through today's test unscathed to finish fifth ahead of Lando Norris, who was nine-tenths down on Hamilton.

The Briton did abandon his best effort, however, having dipped the wheel into the gravel at both Lesmos and therefore has time up his sleeve.

Alex Albon was seventh in the second Williams ahead of Mercedes' George Russell, who brought the session to an early end with a hydraulic issue.

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was ninth at a circuit where the team is expected to struggle given its issues with drag efficiency, while Zandvoort podium hero Isack Hadjar rounded out the top 10.

That was despite running into the gravel at Ascari and forcing a red flag to allow the track surface to be swept.

Championship leader Oscar Piastri was not a part of the session as he gave control of his McLaren to F2 star Alex Dunne as he completed one of his obligatory rookie FP1 sessions, following up an impressive bow in Austria with the 15th fastest time here - albeit while being hampered by traffic.

Alpine also used up one of its rookie session as Paul Aron took Franco Colapinto's place, spinning on his way to the slowest time of the session.