Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship, Italian Grand Prix, Rd 15, Friday 1st September 2023. Monza Italy.
Max Verstappen opened Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix atop the timesheets after leading the way through the first practice session.
Verstappen set the quickest time of 1:22.657s to finish 0.046s clear of Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz.
Their respective team-mates, Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc, wound up third and fourth overall.
Monza is the second of the Alternative Tire Allocation experiments run by Pirelli, which was previously explored in Hungary, meaning teams have 11 rather than 13 sets of tyres.
It meant teams adopted slightly different run plans to usual as they got to grips with the high-speed circuit.
The top five – which was completed by Mercedes’ George Russell – all set their best times on the Hard tyre, with sixth-placed Fernando Alonso the fastest driver on Mediums, and Lando Norris in seventh the quickest driver on Softs.
The top 10 was rounded out by Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda and Williams’ Alexander Albon.
Felipe Drugovich (BRA) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23, Reserve and Development Programme Driver. Formula 1 World Championship, Italian Grand Prix, Rd 15, Friday 1st September 2023. Monza Italy.
Liam Lawson began his first full race weekend for AlphaTauri in 13th spot, behind fellow rookies Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant.
In a relatively quiet session Alfa Romeo had the biggest issues as Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were initially unable to leave the garage amid suspected anti-stall issues.
Both drivers than complained about bottoming along Monza’s lengthy straights and wound up 15th and 20th respectively.
Aston Martin handed running to reserve driver and reigning Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich.
It marked Drugovich’s first time in the AMR23 since pre-season testing, when he replaced the injured Lance Stroll, and finished 18th overall.
Second practice is scheduled for 17:00 local time
Keyword: Verstappen edges Sainz in opening Monza practice