Italian Grand Prix Free Practive Review: Hamilton Leads Ferrari One-Two in FP1, Norris Tops FP2 at Monza

The weekend is officially underway at Monza, F1’s legendary “Temple of Speed” for the 2025 Italian Grand Prix, and the first day was good for both Ferrari and McLaren.

The first day at Monza saw the Italian tifosi get exactly what they wanted in FP1, as Ferrari put two cars in the top spot. Lewis Hamilton topped the chart with a 1:20.117, just ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc at 0.169 seconds behind.

Carlos Sainz was third for Williams, and to the surprise of Max Verstappen, he could only manage fourth after he struggled with grip on both the mediums and softs throughout the session.

The session was red-flagged briefly when Isack Hadjar dragged gravel onto the track at Ascari but Ferrari’s momentum remained unbroken going into the afternoon.

FP1 Results:

• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 1:20.117
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): +0.169s
• Carlos Sainz (Williams): +0.553s
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull): +0.575s
• Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): +0.823s
• Lando Norris (McLaren): +0.904s
• Alexander Albon (Williams): +0.956s
• George Russell (Mercedes): +0.993s
• Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin): +0.997s
• Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls): +1.041s

In FP2 the picture changed dramatically as McLaren came alive. Lando Norris set the pace with a 1:19.878, just 0.083s ahead of Leclerc, while Sainz was third again. Oscar Piastri was fourth and Hamilton fifth. Verstappen was sixth, still struggling with balance issues and two tenths off the top three.

There was some action in the session. Local hero Kimi Antonelli spun at Lesmo 2 and beached his Mercedes in the gravel, triggering a red flag.