F1 2026 Italian Grand Prix FP1 Results: Charles Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2

Ferrari got off to a dream start as Charles Leclerc led a commanding 1–2 in opening practice for the 2026 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, delighting the passionate Tifosi.

The Monegasque driver set the pace with a blistering lap of 1m23.008s, while his seven-time world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton followed closely behind, just 0.173s adrift, to complete a perfect opening salvo for the Maranello squad on home soil.

The session unfolded on a sweltering Friday afternoon at the Temple of Speed, with ambient temperatures pushing the limits of driver comfort and prompting the FIA to issue an official Heat Hazard declaration for the weekend, mandating enhanced cooling systems for all cars.

Despite the oppressive conditions, the track was alive with activity from the outset as all 20 cars including several rookie drivers fulfilling mandatory FP1 appearances, ventured onto the circuit.

McLaren’s Lando Norris was among the first to post a competitive benchmark, briefly heading the order before Mercedes’ George Russell dipped below his time, setting the stage for the front-runners to unleash their full potential.

With approximately 34 minutes remaining on the clock, Leclerc produced the lap that would define the session, storming around the historic circuit on medium compound tyres to record his 1:23.008s effort.

Behind the Ferraris, Russell completed the top three for Mercedes, finishing 0.304s off Leclerc’s pace on soft tyres.

Liam Lawson was fourth fastest in his second weekend with Red Bull as a stand-in for injured Isack Hadjar, while Kimi Antonelli – who faces a back-of-the-grid penalty for engine change – rounded out the top five in the second Silver Arrow.

Further down the order, the 2026 rookie class made its presence felt with Paul Aron leading the contingent in 10th, just behind Franco Colapinto in the leading Alpine.

Aron, however, was on the receiving end of Yuki Tsunoda’s wrath after blocking his Racing Bulls – the Japanese driver taking Lawson’s place.

Luke Browning finished 15th in Alex Albon’s Williams beating teammate Carlos Sainz, while Ayumu Iwasa was 17th in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. Colton Herta retired his Cadillac early on with a suspected hydraulic issue.

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Full F1 2026 Italian Grand Prix FP1 Results

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