Charles Leclerc Sets the Pace
Charles Leclerc showed promising performance by topping the timesheets in the first practice session for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. He outpaced George Russell from Mercedes by 0.104 seconds, with Carlos Sainz following closely in third place for Ferrari.
Verstappen and Hamilton’s Performance
Max Verstappen, who has been dominant in the season so far, finished fifth, while Lewis Hamilton ended up in seventh place. Hamilton, racing in Italy for the first time since his announcement of joining Ferrari, had a challenging session with a couple of off-track excursions.
Other Notable Performances
Lando Norris, fresh from his maiden win in Miami, secured the eighth spot in the practice session. Ollie Bearman, returning to the F1 track after his debut in Saudi Arabia, finished 15th in the session.
Challenges Faced by Drivers
Both Hamilton and Verstappen faced difficulties during the session, with Hamilton spinning off at Acque Minerali and Verstappen making mistakes that cost him a potential fastest lap. Alex Albon, who recently signed a new deal with Williams, encountered mechanical issues that limited his running to just eight laps.
