0”068 between Leclerc and Hamilton in EL2 at Monza

Could this be a foretaste of the duel that is coming up for Sunday? After dominating the first free practices of the Italian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc doubled the lead at Monza with the best time in EL2 and a time of 1’20”978. 

The Monegasque, freshly crowned with his first career victory at Spa-Francorchamps, is ahead of his closest rival, Lewis Hamilton on Mercedes, of 68 small thousandths. His teammate Sebastian Vettel is relegated to 0”201. 

Valtteri Bottas must be satisfied with 4th place aboard the second Flèche d’Argent, while the pilots Red Bull, Max Verstappen before Alexander albon, complete a top 6 with a more familiar look than that of the morning, showered by showers. 

Nice performance from Pierre Gasly with the 7th time on board his Toro Rosso. The Frenchman precedes his compatriot Romain Grosjean (Haas), while Daniel Ricciardo (Renault) and Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) complete the Top 10. 

Despite milder track conditions than in FP1, the temple of speed remained somewhat wet in places and the session was briefly interrupted due to gravel spread on the track. At the end of this opening day at Monza, it is difficult to have a very clear reading of the forces present even if the big cars are there. 

It remains to be seen what the qualifying session will bring when the drivers will do everything to take the slipstream of a teammate or a competitor. Some estimate potential lap winnings of more than half a second. Unless the weather acts up again.