Red dawn at the Temple of Speed: Monza Friday Report
- Elaina Russell
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
Written by Elaina Russell
The Monza Grand Prix weekend kicked off with fireworks from the very first session, setting the stage for what promises to be a dramatic Italian Grand Prix.
It’s a crucial weekend at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza–a circuit that favors straight-line speed and braking stability over cornering grip. Known as the Temple of Speed, Monza demands precision, rewards bravery, and offers little margin for error. With the Tifosi packing the grandstands in their thousands, Ferrari’s opening pace ensured the home fans found their voice early.
Practice 1: Ferrari’s homecoming charge
Ferrari gave their home crowd something to roar about immediately, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc delivering a one-two finish in FP1. Hamilton set the pace with a 1:20.117, just 0.169s ahead of Leclerc, showcasing the team’s one-lap strength at a venue that means everything to Maranello.
While Hamilton’s five-place grid penalty from Zandvoort hangs over the weekend, his speed proved that Ferrari could contend at the front regardless. For Leclerc the session was a balancing act–fast but occasionally scrappy, with offs at the Lesmos and Ascari. Even so, his pace too made it clear Ferrari are in the fight.
Rookie Isack Hadjar spun into the gravel at Ascari, briefly halting running. Leclerc himself drew scrutiny for overtaking under red flag conditions but escaped a penalty after stewards’ review. Appearances from Alex Dunne (McLaren) and Paul Aron (Alpine) rounded out the session, though both finished near the bottom.
Standout performances came from Carlos Sainz, who put his Williams third, and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who impressed with fifth in front of a home crowd. Alexander Albon continued to show his sharpness in seventh, while George Russell’s late hydraulic failure stopped his session short.
Practice 2: McLaren bite back
The afternoon belonged to McLaren. Lando Norris, fresh from heartbreak in Zandvoort, topped the timesheets with a 1:19.878, edging Leclerc by just 0.083s. Carlos Sainz, continuing his strong recent form, secured third, while Oscar Piastri slotted into fourth to underline McLaren’s developing pace at Monza.
Hamilton finished fifth, though a late gravel excursion reflected ongoing struggles with the Ferrari. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, could manage only sixth, raising eyebrows as Red Bull continue to look vulnerable in outright pace compared to recent dominance.
The session wasn’t without chaos. Antonelli’s spin at Lesmo 2 brought out a red flag, and Pierre Gasly found the gravel at Ascari, scattering stones across the racing line. Both McLarens also suffered unusual issues: Norris lost a wing mirror, forcing a repair, but returned to claim first regardless.
Further back, Nico Hülkenberg delivered an impressive eighth for Sauber, while Yuki Tsunoda put in a solid ninth. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll languished outside the top ten, struggling for balance around the high-speed layout. Racing Bulls rookie Hadjar again caught attention in P11, showing pace that hints at more to come.
Looking ahead
Friday running confirmed a knife-edge contest between Ferrari and McLaren, with Red Bull lurking but not dominant. Ferrari’s early pace ignited the Tifosi, but Hamilton’s penalty complicates the team’s Sunday outlook, while Leclerc’s occasional errors underline the pressure of racing under the red.
McLaren, meanwhile, looks poised to come home with yet another race win, with Norris and Piastri both extracting maximum speed from their package. Red Bull’s struggles keep Verstappen on the back foot, though his ability to rise under pressure should never be discounted.
As the Tifosi pack into the grandstands for qualifying, the narrative seems set. Ferrari’s dream start has reignited belief, but McLaren’s Friday form suggests heartbreak could be around any corner. Red Bull will not sit idle, and the midfield fight remains as ruthless as ever. At Monza, speed is everything–but control under pressure will decide who writes their name into La Pista Magica’s long and legendary history.
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