“Prodigy” Kimi Antonelli with heavy crash in training at Monza

Nico Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Haas) finished second to last ahead of Antonelli. Franco Colapinto, the first Argentinian in Formula 1 in 23 years, took 17th place as successor to Logan Sargeant in the Williams, and Colapinto also went off into the gravel.

The high-speed track in northern Italy has been rebuilt for around 21 million euros ahead of this year's Italian Grand Prix (Sunday, 3 p.m./RTL and Sky). New asphalt was laid, the track was changed in width in some places, and flatter curbs were installed. This should make the traditional circuit in Lombardy even faster and smoother.

Antonelli doesn't just have a big advocate in Wolff. “I said a long time ago that the team should choose Kimi,” Hamilton said on Thursday about the Formula 2 driver.

Antonelli drove George Russell's racing car on Friday. The Englishman, who is set to drive for Mercedes in 2025, must now hope for a quick repair of his car for the second practice session (5 p.m./Sky).