Max Verstappen laid down an early marker at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, setting the fastest time in a dramatic first practice session at Monza.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen showcased his prowess by setting the fastest lap, while the session was marred by a major incident involving rookie driver Kimi Antonelli, who crashed during his debut with Mercedes.
Verstappen Sets the Pace
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull Racing, kicked off the Italian Grand Prix weekend with a commanding performance in FP1. The Dutch driver recorded a blistering lap time of 1:21.676, which placed him firmly at the top of the timing sheets. This time not only highlighted his skill but also demonstrated the strength of the Red Bull car around the high-speed Monza circuit.
A Strong Start After Zandvoort
After a disappointing second-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen was eager to reclaim his dominant form. “It was a good start to the weekend,” he stated. “The car felt strong, and I was able to put in some quick laps. But it’s only practice, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow in qualifying.” His confidence and performance suggest that he is ready to contend for victory in Italy.
Leclerc and Ferrari Show Promise
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished the session in second place, just 0.238 seconds behind Verstappen. The Monegasque driver was buoyed by the enthusiastic home crowd and aimed to capitalize on Ferrari’s strong pace at Monza.
Ferrari’s Home Advantage
Leclerc expressed optimism about Ferrari’s performance, stating, “The car felt good out there. We’ve got some work to do to catch Max, but I’m confident we can be in the mix for pole position tomorrow.”
With Ferrari’s historical success at Monza, the team is keen to deliver a strong performance in front of their passionate fans. Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz also had a solid outing, finishing fourth overall.
The Spaniard’s experience and understanding of the Monza circuit will be crucial as the team seeks to maximize their points haul in what is expected to be a competitive race.
Norris Continues Impressive Form
McLaren’s Lando Norris continued his impressive run of form by securing the third-fastest time in FP1, clocking in at 1:21.689, just 0.013 seconds behind Leclerc.
The Brit’s performance is particularly noteworthy given his recent victory at the Dutch Grand Prix, which has propelled him into the championship conversation.
Norris commented on his performance, saying: “It was a solid start to the weekend. The car felt good, and I was able to put in some competitive lap times.
“We’ll keep working hard to find those last few tenths and hopefully be in the mix for pole.”
McLaren’s resurgence this season has been impressive, and Norris’s ability to consistently challenge the frontrunners signals a new era for the team.
The Antonelli Incident: A Shocking Debut
The most talked-about moment of the session came from Kimi Antonelli, who was making his Formula 1 debut with Mercedes.
The 18-year-old driver, a highly regarded talent in the junior categories, experienced a harrowing moment when he crashed into the barriers at the Parabolica corner just 10 minutes into the session.
Antonelli lost control of his car, resulting in a heavy impact that brought out the red flags. Fortunately, he emerged unscathed, but the incident raised concerns about the pressure placed on the young driver as he prepares to step into F1.
The Mercedes team quickly assessed the damage, and the session was halted for repairs.
“It was a disappointing way to start my F1 debut,” Antonelli said. “I lost control of the car and crashed heavily. But I’m okay and will be back out there tomorrow to make up for it.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed his support for Antonelli, stating: “It’s unfortunate that Kimi had this incident on his debut, but he showed promise before the crash. We’ll work with him to ensure he learns from this experience.”
The team will be looking to bounce back in the remaining practice sessions and qualifying.
Other Notable Performances
Valtteri Bottas had a strong showing, finishing fifth with a time of 1:22.127. The Finnish driver, who had a difficult race in Zandvoort, looked to bounce back at Monza.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished sixth ahead of Lewis Hamilton in seventh while William’s Alexander Albon secured eighth. Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso rounded out the top ten, showcasing the competitive nature of the midfield.
Debut for Franco Colapinto
Franco Colapinto, making his debut for Williams, finished 17th with a time of 1:23.880. The young Argentine had a quiet session but managed to avoid major incidents, which is a positive sign for his first outing in Formula 1.
