Charles Leclerc set the pace for Ferrari in the opening practice session of the 2026 Formula 1® Italian Grand Prix at Monza, leading a Ferrari one-two finish. His fastest lap of 1m23.008s on medium tyres put him ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton, who was just 0.173 seconds behind.
Ferrari's performance in the first free practice session was notable not only for the top times but also for the team's special livery, which paid tribute to Michael Schumacher's debut in 1996. Alongside this, Ferrari introduced technical upgrades, including a refined low-drag rear wing and a second upgrade to their power unit. These changes are part of Ferrari's ongoing efforts to reduce the power deficit to Mercedes.
The session experienced a red flag interruption caused by Colton Herta's Cadillac suffering hydraulic issues. Despite the disruption, several drivers posted competitive times. George Russell of Mercedes was third fastest on soft tyres, trailing Leclerc by 0.304 seconds. Liam Lawson, returning to Red Bull Racing, secured fourth place, ahead of championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who faces a grid penalty due to a full power unit change.
Lando Norris was sixth fastest, followed by Arvid Lindblad and Gabriel Bortoleto. The session also featured several rookie drivers, including Colton Herta, Paul Aron, Ayumu Iwasa, and Luke Browning, who completed their mandatory FP1 runs. The FIA declared a heat hazard during the session, as temperatures exceeded 31°C, requiring drivers to wear cooling vests or carry ballast for safety reasons.
Ferrari’s updates, particularly the aerodynamic tweaks and power unit upgrade, are intended to help the team close the gap to Mercedes, although the extent of their impact remains to be seen. Leclerc’s leading time in FP1 offers some encouragement, but it reflects only the initial phase of the weekend’s running.
The session highlighted the competitive nature of the field at Monza, with multiple teams and drivers showing strong pace. The red flag and heat conditions added complexity to the running, affecting teams’ ability to gather data. Meanwhile, the presence of rookies on track underlines the continued emphasis on driver development within the sport.
Overall, the first practice session at the Italian Grand Prix provided a clear indication of Ferrari’s current pace and technical direction, while also showcasing the challenges posed by the high temperatures and the hydraulic failure that interrupted the running. The session set the stage for further developments as the weekend progresses.