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Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time for Mercedes in Friday practice at the Italian Grand Prix, narrowly edging out McLaren’s Lando Norris by just 0.003 seconds. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz followed closely in third during the second session, with both teams showcasing competitive pace ahead of Sunday’s race at Monza.
However, the spotlight was on Hamilton’s potential successor, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who made his debut for Mercedes under challenging circumstances. The 18-year-old Italian, expected to replace Hamilton next season, crashed heavily during his first session after attempting to push harder following a strong initial lap. The incident, which occurred at the Parabolica, left Antonelli’s car severely damaged, delaying George Russell’s return to the track by nearly 25 minutes in the second session.
Antonelli’s debut, though promising in flashes, highlighted the intense pressure facing the young driver as he steps into the F1 spotlight. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the challenges Antonelli faced, particularly given the hype surrounding his debut at Monza. Wolff reassured the young driver over the radio, emphasizing that the crash is part of the learning curve for any driver aspiring to be a champion.
Despite Antonelli’s crash, the day was not without positives for Mercedes. Russell managed to post the sixth fastest time after a brief setback due to a red flag caused by Kevin Magnussen’s crash in the Haas. Meanwhile, Championship leader Max Verstappen, who was quickest in the first session, ended the second session in 13th place after a mistake at Parabolica during his qualifying simulation. However, Verstappen’s pace on race-simulation runs suggested he remains a strong contender for the weekend.
