BREAKING NEWS: Hamilton sets pace after Antonelli crashes on.....

Hamilton Leads as Antonelli Crashes on Debut: Italian Grand Prix Kicks Off with Dramatic Practice Sessions

The Italian Grand Prix weekend began with high drama as Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets in Friday practice while his potential future replacement at Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, crashed out during his debut session. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, managed to edge out McLaren’s Lando Norris by a mere 0.003 seconds, showcasing the close competition expected this weekend.

Antonelli, making his much-anticipated debut for Mercedes, had a baptism of fire at Monza. The young Italian, who has been touted as a future star, was unscathed after a crash during the first practice session. The incident occurred as Antonelli lost control of his car, slamming into the barriers. Despite the setback, the 17-year-old driver walked away unharmed, though his car was heavily damaged, cutting short his participation in the session.

Hamilton’s pace in the second session will be a source of confidence for Mercedes, as the team looks to bounce back from a challenging season. The Briton set the fastest lap of 1:20.672, narrowly beating Norris, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz just behind in third. This result places Mercedes in a strong position heading into the rest of the weekend.

Norris, currently second in the championship standings, acknowledged the competitiveness of the field. “The car was quick,” Norris remarked. “Oscar [Piastri] was quick. He made a big mistake and lost probably 0.4 or 0.5 seconds so he easily should have been P1. I am quite a long way off, so a bit of work for me to do.”

Norris also highlighted the close battle among the top teams, predicting an exciting race. “It’s close between Ferrari, us—Red Bull I’m sure are after P1, and Mercedes as well. Looks like eight cars all looking fast. Should make it exciting.”

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were both competitive on home soil, with Sainz finishing third and Leclerc fourth in the second session. The Ferrari drivers will be under immense pressure to deliver a strong performance in front of the passionate Tifosi at Monza, a circuit where Ferrari’s success is a matter of pride.

Max Verstappen, the championship leader, had a mixed day. The Dutchman topped the first session with a time of 1:21.463, set on soft tyres, but struggled in the second session, finishing 13th after making a mistake during his qualifying simulation. Verstappen ran wide at the Parabolica, compromising his lap time. However, during the race-simulation runs, Verstappen appeared to regain his rhythm, running neck and neck with Norris, which suggests that Red Bull will still be a force to reckon with in the race.

The opening day’s action has set the stage for a thrilling weekend at Monza. With Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull all showing competitive pace, the Italian Grand Prix promises to be one of the most exciting races of the season. As the teams prepare for qualifying, the battle for pole position is wide open, with any of the top eight drivers capable of clinching the top spot.

Saturday’s sessions will be crucial as the teams refine their setups and strategies for Sunday’s race. With the championship battle heating up, every point will be vital in the race for the title.