Monza’s high-speed theatre throws open its doors again as the Italian Grand Prix weekend roars into life, with FP1 set to offer more than just routine installation laps.
This year, the opening session is as much about tomorrow as it is about Sunday. Several teams will hand their cars to rookies, cashing in one of their mandatory young driver slots and trusting fresh hands at one of the fastest circuits on the calendar. For those hopefuls, it’s not a gentle introduction. It’s Monza. Flat-out straights, savage braking zones, and nowhere to hide.
The first green light comes at 12:30 local time (11:30 UK), with 60 minutes on the clock at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. One hour for engineers to pin down low-drag setups, for race drivers to lock into qualifying trim, and for rookies to prove they belong in this company.
Expect slipstream trains. Expect traffic headaches. Expect teams juggling long runs with low-fuel blasts as they chase top speed and stability over the kerbs.
The Temple of Speed rarely eases anyone in. FP1 will show who’s dialled in early—and who’s already on the back foot.
