FP1: Leclerc tops rain-hit first session at Monza

F1 Grand Prix, GP Italy, Autodromo Nazionale di Monza

A late lap on medium tyres in the closing stages of the session saw Charles Leclerc go fastest on a drying Monza circuit. McLaren drivers Sainz and Norris in a session that was interrupted by three red flags.

The session started very wet, with full wet tyres the only viable option to do some running. However, as the rain faded, teams have plenty of time to try the intermediates, on which Valtteri Bottas proved fastest, before drivers switched to the dry weather slicks.

Bottas still ended ninth with that effort while team mate Lewis Hamilton ended up fourth. His best effort was on slicks, but an better lap was on the table until the Briton spun his Mercedes.

By that time, Kimi Raikkonen was already out of action as he had beached his Alfa Romeo at Parabolica. Having come a bit too hard on the throttle, the rear of his car went another way and brought him to a standstill in the gravel.

A second red flag came due to Sergio Perez. The Mexican spun on the exit of Ascari, and in the event damaged the front and rear of his car. Though it appears limited to wing damage, he noted the gearbox may also have been damaged.

The third and final red flag was due to Pierre Gasly's spin at the same corner a bit later. The Frenchman only just avoided a collision with Red Bull's Albon.