FP1: Verstappen pips Leclerc in opening session in Monza

Reigning champion Max Verstappen set the benchmark in the opening session of the Italian Grand Prix, beating Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Zandvoort winner Lando Norris. F1technical's lead journalist Balázs Szabo reports from the Monza track.

The first session of the Monza round took place in very high temperatures, posing a real challenge both for drivers and machines.

Italian sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli finally made his debut on an F1 race weekend. However, the F2 driver did not enjoy his first outing for long as he crashed into the barriers at Parabolica 10 minutes in, having suffered a snap midway through the corner.

The 18-year-old was taken to the medical centre for checks while his heavily-damaged car was brought back to the pits.

After the relatively long stoppage, Max Verstappen set the benchmark on Pirelli's softs, beating the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc by two tenths of a second.

Zandvoort winner Lando Norris took third, from Carlos Sainz in P4.

Kick Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas led the middle part of the session, having posted encouraging lap times all through the session. Despite falling back in the second half of the one-hour session, he took an impressive P5 in the end.

Oscar Piastri looked less comfortable during the opening session, ending up in P6, from Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in P7.

Williams also had an important day with Franco Colapinto making his F1 debut at Monza. The British outfit announced earlier this week that the Argentine racer would replace Logan Sargeant at the team for the remainder of the season.

The former F2 driver took 17th while his new team-mate Alexander Albon ended up 8th quickest, with six tenths of a second separating them.