Leclerc fastest in first practice at Italian GP

In the first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari achieved the fastest time, setting a record of 1:26.153. His teammate, Lewis Hamilton, followed closely in second place, while George Russell secured third. Title leader Kimi Antonelli faced a setback, as he will start from the back of the grid due to a grid penalty for a new engine, finishing fifth in practice. Lando Norris, who has recently won two races, finished sixth in the session, indicating his competitive form.

The session saw several drivers, including Max Verstappen, rotated out as teams fulfilled rookie obligations. Paul Aron emerged as the top rookie, finishing in 10th place. Additionally, the FIA has classified the Italian Grand Prix as a heat hazard amid the ongoing European heatwave, highlighting the challenging conditions for the teams and drivers.