On the one hand, Scuderia 2022 finally has a fast car capable of winning again, which obviously also works on the high-speed track in the north of Milan: Leclerc and team-mate Carlos Sainz prove this with their respective best times in practice on Friday.
World Championship leader Verstappen has to return to the grid after a penalty
If the in-form Verstappen takes pole on Saturday, he will start the Italian GP from sixth at best. Such a march through as in his last race to catch up in Spa, where Verstappen raced from 14th place through the field and to victory at lightning speed, is more difficult in Monza: Overtaking in the ‘Temple of Speed’ is not a sure-fire success despite the long straights.
The top speed measurement from Friday shows that Red Bull is preparing for it as best as possible: At 347 km/h, Verstappen, who ended the day in second place 0.143 seconds behind Sainz, is ahead in this ranking. “It was a reasonable day, we tested the different tire compounds and downforce levels and Max is relatively happy with his car,” reveals team boss Horner. Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko is also optimistic: “Our long run was very convincing, both on soft and medium. We are satisfied.”
Double short use: defect at Schumacher
The two Germans experience a short working day at the start in Monza, especially Mick Schumacher: The Haas driver has to sit out the first practice session for local hero Antonio Giovinazzi. In the second training session, Schumacher didn’t even get far for half an hour before his Haas suddenly lost power and rolled out in front of the first Lesmo curve. While the session is briefly interrupted with the red flag, Schumi Jr. has finished work early.
A little later, the team announced the reason for the defect: a problem with the engine electronics control unit. “Of course not great, but these things happen. Now we have a bit more work tomorrow,” says Schumacher and adds: “I drove three fast laps, which of course is not much. But at least I know the track well.” The weekend of the 23-year-old will not be any easier, because Haas had already announced a gearbox change on Thursday, which would bring Schumacher a step back – but the exchange has not yet been officially confirmed.
Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix
2nd free practice, result:
2. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull +0.143s
3. Charles Leclerc (Monaco) – Ferrari +0.193
4. Lando Norris (Great Britain) – McLaren +0.674
5. George Russell (Great Britain) – Mercedes +0.722
6. Sergio Perez (Mexico) – Red Bull +0.730
7. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) – Mercedes +0.839
8. Esteban Ocon (France) – Alpine +1,064
9. Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Alpine +1.088
10.Alexander Albon (Thailand)-Williams +1.171
11. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) – McLaren +1.247
12. Zhou Guanyu (China) – Alfa Romeo +1.274
13. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) – Alfa Romeo +1.329
14. Pierre Gasly (France) – Alpha Tauri +1.471
15. Yuki Tsunoda (Japan) – Alpha Tauri +1.553
16. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) – Haas +1.893
17. Sebastian Vettel (Heppenheim) – Aston Martin +2.067
18. Lance Stroll (Canada) – Aston Martin +2.121
19. Nicholas Latifi (Canada) – Williams +2.318
20. Mick Schumacher (Gland/Switzerland) – Haas +2.922
Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix
1st free practice, result:
1. Charles Leclerc (Monaco) – Ferrari 1:22.410 min.
2. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spain) – Ferrari +0.077s
3. George Russell (Great Britain) – Mercedes +0.279
4. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) – Mercedes +0.421
5. Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull +0.430
6. Esteban Ocon (France) – Alpine +0.665
7. Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Alpine +0.689
8. Yuki Tsunoda (Japan) – Alpha Tauri +0.850
9. Valtteri Bottas (Finland) – Alfa Romeo +0.984
10. Daniel Ricciardo (Australia) – McLaren +1.101
11.Alexander Albon (Thailand)-Williams +1,119
12. Zhou Guanyu (China) – Alfa Romeo +1.160
13. Pierre Gasly (France) – Alpha Tauri +1,230
14. Sergio Perez (Mexico) – Red Bull +1.251
15. Lance Stroll (Canada) – Aston Martin +1.278
16. Lando Norris (Great Britain) – McLaren +1.446
17. Kevin Magnussen (Denmark) – Haas +1.596
18. Antonio Giovinazzi (Italy) – Haas +1.907
19. Nyck de Vries (Netherlands) – Aston Martin +2.321
20. Nicholas Latifi (Canada) – Williams +2,531
