EL1 at Monza: Leclerc dominates a rainy session

After the downpours which fell on the suburbs of Milan on Thursday evening, the downpour which showered the Monza circuit this Friday morning would almost pass for drizzle. This in no way diminishes the challenge faced by the 20 gladiators on the grid at the Italian temple of speed. 

At the end of the first 90 minutes of driving of the Lombard weekend, it was finally Charles Leclerc who wins the best time with a time of 1’27”905 on the 5,793 kilometers of the transalpine route. The Monegasque, winner at Spa-Francorchamps last Sunday, took advantage of a drying out of the track at the end of the session to lower his mark on medium slick tires. To the delight of the fans already present in large numbers at the Monza Autodromo.

Leclerc dominates a ranking with a unique look since he is ahead of the McLaren de Carlos Sainz et Lando Norris. The first one Mercedes is 4th in the hands of the world championship leader Lewis Hamilton. The Briton precedes the highest ranked Red Bull, that ofAlexander albon, And the Toro Rosso by Daniil Kvyat. 

Max Verstappen must be satisfied with the 7th time, ahead Sebastian Vettel on Ferrari. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Pierre Gasly (Toro Rosso) complete the Top 10 in a session interrupted three times.

Kimi Räikkönen was the first to trigger a neutralization by running aground in the gravel with his Alfa Romeo. Moments later, Sergio Pérez hit the wall at the exit of the Ascari chicane and resulted in a second red flag. The two drivers are the only ones who were unable to set a time during these FP1.

The final red flag came following a minor spin by Gasly at the first chicane. The Frenchman remained momentarily stuck astride the bolted sausages placed out of trajectory. Bottas and Antonio Giovinazzi also performed non-imposed free figures while many other drivers often cut straight at the first chicane.

Although the weather is currently milder in Monza, further showers are expected this afternoon for the second free runs.