Another week, another driver announcement. Eighteen year old Kimi Antonelli sat next to Toto to hear him sing his praises as he takes the Mercedes seat for 2025. He looked like a tiny little boy. The wee man drove the car during FP1 and gifted Wolff an expensive crash. Also making his F1 debut in Free Practice was Franco Colapinto, who was replacing Sargeant (at last) in Williams. Monza is a strong track for the team, so the pressure was immediately on. Vowles said that there was nothing more Williams could do to help Sargeant with his driving career, so it will be interesting to see why they have gone for a rookie instead of Mick Schumacher,
In the first Qualifying session, there were a few offs, Sainz had a moment towards the start. Colapinto had the second biggest run in with the gravel. Magnussen however bought out the yellow flags with his, which was right at the end and damaged other people's laps too. This may have been because his car had broken down. Out went Tsunoda, Stroll, Colapinto (no surprise, Vowles only wants him ahead of the Saubers and Haas) and then both Saubers.
Alonso was happy with 11th in Q2, he was ahead of Ricciardo, Magnussen, Gasly and Ocon.
McLaren weren't sure how strong they would be at this track but Norris took pole, with Piastri behind him. Russell put in a quick lap to take 3rd place, then both Ferraris at their home track (LeClerc ahead of Sainz), Hamilton, Verstappen, Perez and finally Albon in the Williams beat Hulkenberg in the Haas.
It looks like it could be a great race as Ferrari will turn up the wick, Mercedes have something to offer and Verstappen will push for a podium, if not a win. (Perez will fall backwards).
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