Leclerc on top for Ferrari after dramatic Italy GP practice

MONZA, Italy: Charles Leclerc delighted a rain-soaked crowd on Friday when he claimed the best time for Ferrari in a dramatic opening free practice at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. The 21-year-old Monegasque, who secured his maiden victory at last Sunday’s tragic Belgian Grand Prix, topped the times ahead of Carlos Sainz of McLaren, the pair making the most of drying conditions in the final part of a mostly-treacherous 90 minutes punctuated by three red-flag stoppages. It was Leclerc’s first return to the cockpit since he dedicated his victory at Spa-Francorchamps to the memory of his close friend Frenchman Anthoine Hubert who died after crashing in a Formula Two race in Belgium last Saturday.Kimi Raikkonen, Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly caused suspensions of the action by crashing out of control, all escaping unhurt while several other drivers survived lurid spins in the difficult conditions.Running on medium compound slick tyres, Leclerc’s best lap in one minute and 27.905 lifted him three-tenths clear of Sainz with rookie Lando Norris an impressive third for McLaren ahead of Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Red Bull new boy Alex Albon was fifth ahead of former team-mate Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso and Max Verstappen, in the second Red Bull and four-time champion German Sebastian Vettel in the second Ferrari.

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2ZPW5sF