Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets in the first practice session of the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, setting a fastest lap of 1:23.008 on medium tyres. His performance put him ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who completed a Ferrari one-two with a time just 0.173 seconds slower. Mercedes driver George Russell was third fastest, trailing Leclerc by 0.304 seconds.
The session, which began at 12:30 local time under hot and sunny conditions, saw drivers from a wide range of teams including Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull, Alpine, Cadillac, Williams, Audi, Haas, and Aston Martin take to the track. Alongside established drivers, four rookies and several substitute drivers participated, such as Ayumu Iwasa for Red Bull, Luke Browning for Williams, Paul Aron for Alpine, and Colton Herta for Cadillac.
Traffic proved to be a challenge during the session, especially for the less experienced drivers, with some encountering difficulties navigating the busy track. Colton Herta’s run was cut short due to a suspected hydraulic issue, which prompted a red flag. Other notable performances included Liam Lawson in fourth place, Kimi Antonelli fifth, and Lando Norris sixth.
Throughout the session, teams tested various tyre compounds, including hard, medium, and soft tyres, as they gathered data to prepare for the remainder of the weekend. The practice session offered an early look at the competitive order but remains preliminary, with teams expected to analyze the information before the second practice session scheduled for 16:00 local time.
Drivers such as Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas, and Lance Stroll also took part, contributing to a busy and eventful opening session. The mix of experienced racers and newcomers highlighted the depth of talent present in the field this season.
This initial practice session at Monza provided valuable insights into car performance and track conditions, but it is important to note that these times do not necessarily predict race outcomes. Teams will continue refining their setups and strategies as the weekend progresses.