13/09/2024
Chicago 12, Melborne City, USA
Sports

Verstappen quickest in opening F1 Italian GP practice

Verstappen quickest in opening F1 Italian GP practice


Red Bulls Max Verstappen celebrates winning the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona.— AFP
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona.— AFP

MONZA, Italy: Max Verstappen was fastest in Friday´s first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, pipping Charles Leclerc to the top time as he tries to get his Formula One title defence back on track.

Championship leader Verstappen clocked one minute, 21.676 seconds, 0.228sec ahead of Leclerc who is the main hope for the massed ranks of Ferrari fans at Monza. McLaren driver Lando Norris, Verstappen´s closest rival for the world title, was 0.241sec off the pace in third.

Norris trails by 70 points in the drivers´ championship after a stunning win at last weekend´s Dutch GP, the fifth straight race not to be won by Red Bull´s Verstappen. Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli´s first ever F1 drive ended quickly and in spectacular fashion as he span off the track with just four completed laps under his belt.

The 18-year-old was given a chance by Mercedes to drive George Russell´s car but lost control at the Parabolica turn 10 minutes into the session and smashed into the trackside barriers, seriously damaging the front end. Antonelli apologised as he climbed out apparently unhurt, and Mercedes called the incident “unfortunate but all part of the learning curve”.



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