Max Verstappen has topped the opening practice session of the Italian Grand Prix weekend, slotting two-tenths ahead of the leading Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.
The FP1 outing marked the heavily anticipated debut for Mercedes junior Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
However, the session was red-flagged 10 minutes into the session after Antonelli crashed at the final corner.
Antonelli, who is widely expected to race for Mercedes next year, lost control of his car on a fast lap and skated across the gravel before impacting the barrier.
Lando Norris rounded out the top three, finishing ahead of the other locally supported Ferrari car of Carlos Sainz and Stake's Valtteri Bottas.
Result Free practice 1 - Italian
Oscar Piastri ended the session in sixth place as he looks to have a stronger weekend compared to Zandvoort last weekend.
Lewis Hamilton was seventh for Mercedes with the team forced to rely on the seven-time world champion's data after Antonelli's collision.
Albon was eighth in the leading Williams car, while team-mate Franco Colapinto who is making his grand prix debut this weekend, was 17th.
The Argentine suffered a trip through the gravel in the final moments of the session but avoided damage to his car.
Sergio Perez was ninth fastest for Red Bull, lapping 0.004s ahead of Fernando Alonso who rounded out the top 10.
Focus now shifts to the second practice session later today where teams will conduct long-run and qualifying simulations ahead of the remainder of the weekend.
George Russell will return to the cockpit, taking over from Antonelli.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel and have a chance to win the F1 car of your favourite driver!
SUBSCRIBE & WINMost read
In this article
Join the conversation!