Leclerc Tops Hamilton in Monza Practice as Ferrari Eyes Home Win
· Sports · BBC Sport, Formula 1
Charles Leclerc led Lewis Hamilton by 0.173 seconds in first practice at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, giving Ferrari an early boost at their home race. Mercedes' George Russell ended the session third, with Red Bull stand-in Liam Lawson fourth and championship leader Kimi Antonelli fifth, 0.636 seconds off the pace. The session was red-flagged after Cadillac rookie Colton Herta stopped on track with a hydraulic issue while substituting for Sergio Perez. Ferrari are hoping to capitalise on Antonelli's grid penalty, which will see him start from the back of the field on Sunday after taking a new power unit. During the session, it was also confirmed that McLaren and Red Bull won their appeals over the Monaco Grand Prix pit-lane speeding penalties, stripping Alpine's Pierre Gasly of his podium.
Why it matters
Ferrari have a genuine shot at victory at their home race with Antonelli demoted to the back of the grid, while Gasly's lost Monaco podium reshuffles the drivers' standings heading into the weekend's main events.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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