Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will have given Ferrari fans a sign of hope of potential success at this weekend’s Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix, by completing a 1-2 in first practice.
The Monegasque put the SF-26, complete with further engine upgrade, into top spot, with Hamilton just a tenth-and-a-half behind in second.
George Russell was third, three tenths off Leclerc’s time, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli – who will start the race at the back due to an engine change – fifth.
Liam Lawson impressed in his second successive outing for Red Bull – in place of injured Isack Hadjar – by going fourth.
The showings of rookies in this session was led by Paul Aron, who went 10th-fastest as the chequered flag fell, just one spot behind Franco Colapinto in the sister Alpine.
Aron did not complete the hour without some strife, however, as the Estonian irked Yuki Tsunoda – taking Lawson’s place at Racing Bulls once again – who was blocked by Aron.
Ayumu Isawa, sporting aero rakes for some of the session, was 17th in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, just behind of the Williams pair of Luke Browning and Carlos Sainz, the British rookie going faster than the Spaniard.
Colton Herta, who crashed out heavily in free practice in Formula 2 earlier in the day, could not complete the session after parking his Cadillac up early on, with the team later explaining that “a suspected hydraulic issue” was the cause.
READ MORE – F1 2026 Italian Grand Prix – FP1 Results
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