Max Verstappen was quickest in the opening session of the Italian Grand Prix, but Andrea Kimi Antonelli suffered a dramatic crash on his F1 practice debut for Mercedes.
Italian teenager Antonelli, who is expected to succeed Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, was driving George Russell’s car and there were high hopes for his first official F1 appearance.
However, just 10 minutes into the session, he lost control of his car in the final corner of Monza’s fast circuit.
Antonelli hit the barriers hard, sending his car spinning almost 360 degrees into the tyre wall, and Mercedes now face a race to repair everything ahead of the second practice session at 4pm on Friday. Sky Sports F1.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff radioed the 18-year-old Antonelli to say he was “OK” shortly after the accident, and he was subsequently released from the medical centre.
“This is not how he wanted to spend the first 12 minutes of his F1 career,” Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandhok responded.
“He started to turn in and then suddenly oversteered at the apex. Maybe there was a gust of wind or something?”
“It’s tough. I’ve been through the shunt as a reserve driver. I feel pain, I feel embarrassed and I feel like I’ve let the team down.”
“Psychologically, I think it’ll be a bit of a boost. I think he’ll try a couple more times, maybe in Mexico and Abu Dhabi, but it’s going to be tough for him because there are very few races left that aren’t sprints or aren’t on street tracks.”
Verstappen starts weekend well
Championship leader Max Verstappen started the Italian Grand Prix weekend well, setting a time two-tenths of a second faster than Ferrari’s upgraded Charles Leclerc.
Having lost to Lando Norris by nearly 23 seconds at the Dutch Grand Prix just five days ago, Red Bull are looking much better at Monza, where some of the kerbs have been flattened and the track has been newly resurfaced.
The change of track could benefit Red Bull’s car as they struggle with the bumps and kerbs, with Verstappen looking to hold off Norris for his 70-point lead in the drivers’ standings.
Norris was 0.241s behind Verstappen, with Carlos Sainz in fourth place and Sauber’s Valtteri Bottas a surprising fifth.
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Sky Sports’ Ted Kravitz brings you the latest on Ferrari’s major upgrades from the pit lane at the Italian Grand Prix as they aim to win their home race.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished the session in sixth place, behind Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, Williams’ Alex Albon, Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton, who is competing in his final Italian Grand Prix with Mercedes before moving to Ferrari next year, admitted on Thursday he felt different going into the weekend.
Williams’ Franco Colapinto was 17th in his first session since taking over for Logan Sargent for the remainder of the season. Colapinto had a clean first practice run until the very end, when he dodged the wall after going into the gravel at the final corner.
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James Vowles said firing Logan Sargent was one of the hardest decisions he’s made.
Sky Sports F1 Italian Grand Prix Live Schedule
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Let’s take a look back at some of the most dramatic moments from the Italian Grand Prix.
Friday, August 30
1:55pm: F3 Qualifying
2:50pm: F2 Qualifying
3:45pm: Italian Grand Prix Practice 2 (session starts at 4pm)
5:15pm: F1 Show
Saturday, August 31
8:25am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Italian Grand Prix Practice 3 (Session starts at 11.30am)
1:10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Italian Grand Prix Qualifying Preparations
3pm: Italian Grand Prix Qualifying*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notes
Sunday, September 1
7:30am: F3 Feature Race
9am: F2 Feature Race
11am: Porsche Supercup
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Preparations for the Italian Grand Prix
2pm: Italian Grand Prix
4pm: The chequered flag: Reactions from the Italian Grand Prix
5pm: Ted’s Notes
* Live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event
The 2024 Formula 1 season continues this weekend with the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
