F1-EL1: Mercedes already far ahead at Monza

In the den of Ferrari, Mercedes W06 Hybrid clearly set the pace this morning, during the first free practice session of the Italian Grand Prix on the Monza track. The reigning World Champion Lewis Hamilton dominated the session with a best time set in 1'24 "670, almost half a second ahead of his teammate Nico Rosberg.

If the gap between the two residents of the Silver Arrows, who are getting a new engine this weekend, is important, it is even more so for the competition. Despite a spin in the last ten minutes at the start of the first chicane, Sebastian Vettel places the first Ferrari in third position but more than 1″5 behind leader Hamilton.

The Force Indias of Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez take advantage of the good top speed of their VJM08s to move into 4th and 5th positions, between the two Italian single-seaters, as Kimi Räikkönen climbs into 6th position.

Daniel Ricciardo places the first car powered by the Power Unit Renault in seventh place ahead of both Williams by Felipe Massa and Valtteri Bottas. Pastor Maldonado completes the top 10 at the wheel of his Lotus E23 Hybrid.

The session was interrupted by a red flag in the first hour, following the exit from the track of Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso) at the level of the Parabolica. The Spaniard will only have completed eight short laps. Jolyon Palmer, who replaced Romain Grosjean in EL1 finished 15th, while both McLaren de Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button take 17th and 18th positions ahead of the two Manors.

The second free practice session will begin at 14 p.m. French time.