Ferrari opened the 2026 Italian Grand Prix weekend with a one-two in FP1 at Monza, as Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in 1:26.636 ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who finished 0.173 seconds behind his team-mate. It was an encouraging start for the Maranello team on home soil, although the opening practice session also suggested that Mercedes could represent a significant threat over the longer runs.
Ferrari therefore began its Monza weekend in the best possible way on the timesheets, but the team will now have to prove that it can maintain that level throughout the remainder of the Italian Grand Prix. With different programmes, tyre compounds and fuel loads in use during FP1, the opening classification offered only an early indication of the competitive picture.
Ferrari’s upgraded Power Unit begins its Monza test
The most important development Ferrari has brought to Monza is its updated Power Unit, introduced through the second ADUO development token. The objective is to reduce the significant engine-performance deficit to Mercedes and Red Bull Powertrains, making the Italian Grand Prix an important first test of the new specification. Ferrari’s latest work includes its ADUO-2 turbo and compressor development, with efficiency playing a central role in the revised package.
On paper, Monza is not considered one of the circuits best suited to the SF-26, although the 2026 regulations have already made predictions difficult. Ferrari was expected to struggle at venues such as Silverstone and Spa, yet Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton helped the team secure two unexpected victories across those events.
The Italian Grand Prix result could therefore also carry significant implications for the championship. Monza should offer another indication of whether Ferrari can realistically remain in contention for at least the Constructors’ Championship, while also providing a clearer picture of how much progress has been made with the updated engine package. Charles Leclerc had already discussed Ferrari’s engine and floor upgrades for the Italian Grand Prix ahead of the weekend.
Ferrari begin Monza FP1 first and second
Ferrari began its programme using the hardest tyre compound, with Hard tyres fitted to both Charles Leclerc’s and Lewis Hamilton’s SF-26. The opening laps were not straightforward for Charles Leclerc, who made several mistakes through the second sector before also encountering traffic that disrupted his rhythm. Despite those difficulties, the balance of the SF-26 appeared encouraging, with no particularly obvious weaknesses emerging during the first runs.
After the first stint, which lasted ten laps, Lewis Hamilton sat third, almost two tenths behind Lando Norris’ benchmark, which had been set on Medium tyres. Charles Leclerc was fourth, around three tenths away from the McLaren driver.
Ferrari then sent both drivers back onto the circuit on Medium tyres. Charles Leclerc immediately moved to the top of the timesheets on his first attempt despite being on a tyre disadvantage compared with Mercedes and McLaren at that stage of the session. Lewis Hamilton initially placed third, around half a second behind his team-mate after four attempts on the same compound.
Mercedes show stronger long-run pace in FP1
Ferrari opted to retain the same set of Medium tyres for the third stint. Lewis Hamilton immediately improved his lap time and moved into second place, just under two tenths behind Charles Leclerc, completing the Ferrari one-two that remained intact until the chequered flag.
Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, switched his attention to a race-pace simulation. The Monegasque driver progressively improved his lap times and, towards the end of the run, began approaching the pace recorded by Mercedes, which appeared to be the fastest team on average during the longer runs. The early performance of Ferrari’s rival can also be followed through the latest Mercedes Formula 1 coverage.
Lewis Hamilton did not begin his race simulation until five minutes remained in the session and was consequently unable to complete a particularly clean or representative long run before FP1 ended.
Why Ferrari’s FP1 one-two does not reveal the full picture
The opening practice session ultimately revealed very little about the true competitive order because the teams were running different programmes and did not show the full potential of their cars. Ferrari’s start to the Italian Grand Prix weekend was nevertheless positive, particularly with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupying the top two positions during the first track running with the latest Power Unit specification.
It remains far too early, however, to draw firm conclusions about Ferrari’s prospects at Monza. FP2 should provide a more useful indication of both qualifying and race pace, while Saturday’s third practice session and qualifying will offer a much clearer picture of where the SF-26 really stands against Mercedes, McLaren and the rest of the field.
The Italian Grand Prix weekend will also provide Ferrari with valuable data on whether its latest developments are delivering the expected gains under Monza’s demanding conditions, with further analysis available in our Ferrari technical analysis coverage.
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