Lewis Hamilton sets fastest time in Monza

Formula 1 record world champion Hamilton, who will be assured of the support of the Tifosi in Italy next year as a Ferrari driver, was the fastest of the day in 1:20.738 minutes in the summer heat – but only three thousandths of a second ahead of McLaren driver Norris, who has been in the lead at the latest since his impressive Zandvoort victory last week, has made the World Championship more exciting again.

Defending champion Max Verstappen in the apparently still weakening Red Bull had to settle for 14th place, but the world championship leader (70 points ahead of Norris) also failed to set a fast lap. Nico Hülkenberg, on the other hand, impressed in seventh place in the Haas. The Argentinian Franco Colapinto, who was preferred over Mick Schumacher at Williams as the successor to the sacked Logan Sargeant, reached 17th place.

The number one topic of conversation on Friday, however, was Antonelli's first Formula 1 training session. After ten minutes, the 18-year-old Italian's session was over after a violent crash; his Silver Arrow hit the side of the tire wall at high speed in the Parabolica curve.

Antonelli, who is now considered the top favorite to succeed Hamilton at Mercedes, immediately apologized. The teenager was able to get out of his destroyed car under his own power.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, a well-known fan of the Italian talent, reassured his protégé via radio: “Everything is fine, Kimi, everything is fine.” The Austrian later said: “We need to slow him down rather than make him faster. His first laps were amazing. A stronger driver has to recover from that. And I'm sure he will.”

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 width was changed in some places, and flatter curbs were installed. This should make the traditional circuit even faster and smoother. One finding from Friday: the tires also wear out much faster.