P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix was overshadowed by a hefty crash for Mercedes debutant Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Max Verstappen set the fastest time in the opening practice session for the Italian Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc coming in second for Ferrari. The session saw the debut of Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who unfortunately crashed 10 minutes into the session, bringing out the red flag. Lando Norris finished third, followed by Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas. Oscar Piastri ended the session in sixth place, aiming for a better performance than at Zandvoort. Lewis Hamilton was seventh, providing crucial data for Mercedes after Antonelli’s incident. Focus now shifts to the second practice session for long runs and qualifying simulations, with George Russell taking over from Antonelli in the cockpit.
