Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton lead Ferrari in Italian Grand Prix practice
10 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 12:43 PM
Last updated Sep 4, 2026

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time during the opening practice session of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 4, 2026. Driving for Ferrari, Leclerc recorded a 1:23.008 lap on medium tires to lead teammate Lewis Hamilton by 0.173 seconds. George Russell placed third for Mercedes, finishing 0.304 seconds off the lead time. The session included testing for Ferrari, which introduced both engine and chassis upgrades for their home race weekend. Four rookies participated in the session, and a brief red flag occurred after Colton Herta stopped on track due to a suspected hydraulic issue. Drivers and teams are currently analyzing data from the morning session before returning to the track.
- •Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap of 1:23.008 on medium tires.
- •Lewis Hamilton finished second, securing a Ferrari one-two in the opening session.
- •George Russell placed third for Mercedes while testing soft tires.
- •Colton Herta triggered a red flag after his car experienced a suspected hydraulic issue.
- 12:43 PMESPN F1 — Leclerc fastest in FP1 at Italian GP, Hamilton 2nd
- 12:16 PMYahoo Sports — Leclerc leads Hamilton in first practice at Monza
- 12:16 PMBBC Sport — Leclerc leads Hamilton in first practice at Monza
- 12:16 PMBBC News — Italian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc leads Lewis Hamilton in first practice - BBC
- 11:45 AMMotorsport.com — F1 Italian GP: Charles Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 in FP1
- 11:43 AMAutosport — F1 Italian GP: Leclerc heads Ferrari 1-2 in opening practice
- 11:43 AMRacer — Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 in first Italian GP practice
"Charles Leclerc led a Ferrari 1-2 to set the fastest time in first free practice at Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix. Leclerc's time of 1m23.008s, set on medium tyres, was quick enough to pip team-mate Lewis Hamilton on a hot summer afternoon at the historic Monza circuit. Leclerc set his time halfway through the first of three practice sessions, boosting expectations from the partisan home ...Keep reading
"Charles Leclerc led a Ferrari 1-2 to set the fastest time in first free practice at Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix. Leclerc's time of 1m23.008s, set on medium tyres, was quick enough to pip team-mate Lewis Hamilton on a hot summer afternoon at the historic Monza circuit. Leclerc set his time halfway through the first of three practice sessions, boosting expectations from the partisan home ...Keep reading
"Charles Leclerc led a one-two from team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Italian Grand Prix first practice as Ferrari impressed after debuting an engine upgrade at Monza.
Sources
External links- ESPN F1Sep 4, 2026, 12:43 PMLeclerc fastest in FP1 at Italian GP, Hamilton 2nd
Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets in first practice at the Italian Grand Prix, marking a perfect start to Ferrari's weekend on home soil.
- Yahoo SportsSep 4, 2026, 12:16 PMLeclerc leads Hamilton in first practice at Monza
Charles Leclerc leads Lewis Hamilton in first practice at the Italian Grand Prix to start the weekend off on a positive note for Ferrari.
- BBC SportSep 4, 2026, 12:16 PMLeclerc leads Hamilton in first practice at Monza
Charles Leclerc leads Lewis Hamilton in first practice at the Italian Grand Prix to start the weekend off on a positive note for Ferrari.
- BBC NewsSep 4, 2026, 12:16 PMItalian Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc leads Lewis Hamilton in first practice - BBC
Charles Leclerc leads Lewis Hamilton in first practice at the Italian Grand Prix to start the weekend off on a positive note for Ferrari.
- AutosportSep 4, 2026, 11:43 AMF1 Italian GP: Leclerc heads Ferrari 1-2 in opening practice
Charles Leclerc led a Ferrari 1-2 to set the fastest time in first free practice at Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix. Leclerc's time of 1m23.008s, set on medium tyres, was quick enough to pip team-mate Lewis Hamilton on a hot summer afternoon at the historic Monza circuit. Leclerc set his time halfway through the first of three practice sessions, boosting expectations from the partisan home ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comSep 4, 2026, 11:45 AMF1 Italian GP: Charles Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 in FP1
Charles Leclerc led a Ferrari 1-2 to set the fastest time in first free practice at Formula 1's Italian Grand Prix. Leclerc's time of 1m23.008s, set on medium tyres, was quick enough to pip team-mate Lewis Hamilton on a hot summer afternoon at the historic Monza circuit. Leclerc set his time halfway through the first of three practice sessions, boosting expectations from the partisan home ...Keep reading
- RacerSep 4, 2026, 11:43 AMLeclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 in first Italian GP practice
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton locked out the top two spots of the opening practice session for Ferrari at the team’s home grand prix.
- Formula1.com—Leclerc leads Hamilton in first Italian GP practice
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton claimed a Ferrari 1-2 during the opening practice session of the Italian Grand Prix weekend.
- Sky Sports—Leclerc leads Hamilton as Ferrari seal practice one-two after upgrades
Charles Leclerc led a one-two from team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Italian Grand Prix first practice as Ferrari impressed after debuting an engine upgrade at Monza.
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