F1 returns to Monza, the home of Ferrari, this weekend as the Italian Grand Prix takes centre stage with plenty of intrigue left in the 2024 season.
Lando Norris cruised to his second ever win in Formula 1 with victory at the Dutch Grand Prix last time out and, in doing so, narrowed the gap to championship leader Max Verstappen to 70 points.
Verstappen had to settle for second at his home race while Charles Leclerc did well to fend off McLaren’s Oscar Piastri to seal the third spot on the podium. Leclerc will be eyeing a strong showing at the Scuderia’s home race, in what will be Carlos Sainz’s last Ferrari appearance in Italy.
Lewis Hamilton can also expect a strong reception ahead of his move next year, while Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli will appear in first practice on Friday for Mercedes ahead of his likely promotion in 2025. Franco Colapinto will also make his debut for Williams after Logan Sargeant’s axing.
Follow live updates from the Italian Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 ITALIAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- F1 heads to Monza, the home of Ferrari, for round 16 of the 2024 season
- Lando Norris takes pole position as Max Verstappen falters in qualifying
- Click HERE for the top-10 in qualifying
- NEW: Kimi Antonelli signs for Mercedes in 2025
- Max Verstappen has a 70-point lead with nine races remaining
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton ‘furious’ after P6 qualifying
17:30
Kieran Jackson
"I'm furious... I could have been on pole, I just didn't do the job"
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 31, 2024
A frustrated Lewis Hamilton after qualifying P6 in Monza ️ pic.twitter.com/d1qWwZKMQF
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: QUALIFYING REPORT - Lando Norris claims Italian Grand Prix pole as Max Verstappen struggles
17:15
Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris continued his bid for world championship glory by taking a brilliant pole position at the Italian Grand Prix – as his rival Max Verstappen could manage only seventh.
Six days after his emphatic win in the Netherlands, Norris took top spot at Monza’s ‘Temple of Speed’ with team-mate Oscar Piastri second as McLaren locked out the front row.
An unusually-ragged Verstappen labelled his Red Bull “shocking” as he finished almost seven tenths adrift.
George Russell qualified third for Mercedes with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz fourth and fifth respectively for Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton, fastest in two of the three practice sessions, was only sixth.
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen’s reaction to P7...
16:59
Kieran Jackson
"We have to really try and turn it around" ️❌
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 31, 2024
Max Verstappen says Red Bull "have to become more competitive" to remain in contention for the Drivers and Constructors Championships, after qualifying P7 for the Italian GP ️ pic.twitter.com/sLcyNhAhSk
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris’ pole clinching moment!
16:50
Kieran Jackson
The moment Lando took pole ✅ pic.twitter.com/MT7WcSDovh
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 31, 2024
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris after qualifying on pole...
16:41
Kieran Jackson
“Another pole which is amazing, to have two cars first and second with a tight field is a bit of a surprise but a nice one.
“It hurts me to say the second run was not a nice lap, but very very happy. It’s so close, a lot of quick drivers and quick cars. A lot of unknown things going into the race, plenty of question marks and excitement.”
How you feeling with that pole LN4 fans? pic.twitter.com/76l328i5vi
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 31, 2024
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: George Russell after qualifying P3...
16:30
Kieran Jackson
“Little bit better than I expected, not too far behind the McLarens, super happy with third!
“It’s going to be a tight battle, so exciting for F1 - we’ve been waiting for this competition. Some nice pizza tonight to fuel me up.”
A happy George reacts to taking P3 pic.twitter.com/JuCitYNL3O
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 31, 2024
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri in P2...
16:22
Kieran Jackson
Good lap but not quite enough in the second lap, said that too many times this season. It will be a pretty exciting race, it’s a tight field at the front.”
"There was no guarantee of a front-row lock-out" ❌
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 31, 2024
Oscar on his P2 in quali at Monza pic.twitter.com/sSeZcMyE3D
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: TOP-10 IN QUALIFYING
16:15
Kieran Jackson
1. Lando Norris
2. Oscar Piastri
3. George Russell
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Carlos Sainz
6. Lewis Hamilton
7. Max Verstappen
8. Sergio Perez
9. Alex Albon
10. Nico Hulkenberg
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris on pole position in Monza!
16:07
Kieran Jackson
Lando Norris went quicker and takes pole position with a 1:19:327, 0.108 secs ahead of Oscar Piastri as the papaya lock out the front row!
And Max Verstappen? Only down in P7!
George Russell put in a strong final lap to leap up to third, with Charles Leclerc in fourth and Carlos Sainz fifth!
6-10: Hamilton, Verstappen, Perez, Albon, Hulkenberg
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Final Q3 laps coming right up!
16:03
Kieran Jackson
Here we go then!
All cars on track. How much will the order shake-up - and can anyone budge Norris off pole position?!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris on provisional pole!
15:59
Kieran Jackson
Norris leads a McLaren one-two after the first laps - the Brit ahead of Piastri by 0.035 secs!
But the big news is in eighth place - Max Verstappen is way off! He’ll have one more chance...
Verstappen: “I had no grip at all on this set, shocking!”
1-10: Norris, Piastri, Russell, Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, Perez, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Albon
5:00 to go. All the cars make their way back to the garage to prepare for their final runs...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Q3 underway!
15:54
Kieran Jackson
Here we go then! 12 minutes, probably two laps each to decide pole for the Italian Grand Prix!
10 drivers involved: Verstappen, Perez, Norris, Piastri, Leclerc, Sainz, Russell, Hamilton, Albon, Hulkenberg
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Who will be on pole position in Monza?!
15:49
Kieran Jackson
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Fernando Alonso out in Q2!
15:46
Kieran Jackson
The Aston Martin driver misses out on Q3 for the fifth race running!
But he’s OK with it. Alonso: “I think P11 is better than expected.”
Bottom-five and out in Q2 (11-15): Alonso, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Gasly, Ocon
Alex Albon and Nico Hulkenberg with terrific performances in P9 and P10.
Top-3: Hamilton, Verstappen, Norris
Time now for the top-10 shootout in Monza!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE:
15:42
Kieran Jackson
Alex Albon’s time of 1:20:460 is the time to beat for those in the bottom-five as everyone bar the top three of Hamilton, Norris and Sainz come out for their final flying laps!
Current bottom-five (11-15): Alonso, Magnussen, Gasly, Ocon, Ricciardo
2:00 to go...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc not happy
15:39
Kieran Jackson
Leclerc: “The car is not turning at all... again!”
Leclerc only P7 at the moment...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton quickest out of everyone!
15:38
Kieran Jackson
The Mercedes cars went last and Lewis Hamilton goes to the top first up in Q2 with a 1:19:641 - 0.086 secs quicker than Lando Norris!
More importantly, at the bottom - Fernando Alonso is in trouble in P11! Alex Albon impressive in P10...
Current bottom-five (11-15): Alonso, Magnussen, Gasly, Ocon, Ricciardo
7:00 to go in Q2...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Q2 underway!
15:32
Kieran Jackson
Gravel swept, it’s time for Q2.
15 minutes where again we will lose the slowest five drivers from the rest of qualifying!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Here’s the ‘unsafe release’ between Verstappen and Piastri!
15:29
Kieran Jackson
The nearest of misses between Max and Oscar in the pits pic.twitter.com/fzaxxGmpFv
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 31, 2024
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Delay to Q2!
15:25
Kieran Jackson
From Colapinto’s journey in the gravel, a lot has made its way onto the racetrack so a number of marshals are sweeping it away - so a slight delay to Q2...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lance Stroll out in Q1!
15:20
Kieran Jackson
Sergio Perez survives as he goes P9 - but Lance Stroll doesn’t in P17!
Franco Colapinto is also out in Q1 and almost lost it in the second sector as he went through the gravel - but fortunately he saved it!
Bottom five and out in Q1 (16-20): Tsunoda, Stroll, Colapinto, Bottas, Zhou
Top-3: Norris, Leclerc, Piastri
Onto Q2 we go!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Perez needs to pull a lap out the bag here!
15:17
Kieran Jackson
That bottom-five is unchanged as all the cars bar the top three go out for their final flying laps in Q1!
In a busy pit lane, Oscar Piastri comes out of the pits and almost hits the onrushing Max Verstappen - that may be a penalty for an unsafe release.
Current bottom-five (16-20): Colapinto, Tsunoda, Bottas, Perez, Zhou
2:00 to go in Q1...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris fastest
15:13
Kieran Jackson
Norris the quickest up top with the only time in the 1:19s, with a 1:19:911 - a tenth quicker than Charles Leclerc and two-tenths faster than Carlos Sainz.
Towards the bottom, Sergio Perez is in the danger zone down in P19!
Current bottom-five (16-20): Colapinto, Tsunoda, Bottas, Perez, Zhou
Daniel Ricciardo will need to go quicker, he’s P15.
Russell in P5: “Tyres felt nowhere, sliding massively.”
5:00 to go...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Carlos Sainz almost loses it!
15:06
Kieran Jackson
Hairy moment for Carlos Sainz, who almost loses it in sector two but just saves the Ferrari from spinning into the wall!
Charles Leclerc quickest early on with a 1:20 flat, followed by Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen - many of the contenders yet to go.
12 minutes left...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying odds!
15:02
Kieran Jackson
Italian Grand Prix - Fastest qualifier odds
- Lando Norris - 5/2
- Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen - 9/2
- George Russell, Lewis Hamilton - 7/1
- Oscar Piastri - 15/2
- Alex Albon - 40/1
- Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez - 100/1
- Lance Stroll - 250/1
- Kevin Magnussen, Nico Hulkenberg - 500/1
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Q1 underway!
15:01
Kieran Jackson
Here we go then with the first stage of qualifying - 18 minutes where we will lose the slowest five drivers from the rest of qualifying!
A big moment for Franco Colapinto too - his first qualifying session in Formula 1!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying!
14:57
Kieran Jackson
Very excited for this one!
There’s four teams in contention for pole position and, arguably, Red Bull are only fourth-favourites judging from this practice!
Lando Norris needs another strong one-lap showing to keep the pressure on Max Verstappen in the title race, but what about Mercedes and Ferrari too?
Qualifying coming right up at 3pm (BST)!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Here are the Driver Standings heading into the Italian GP
14:50
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 295 points
2. Lando Norris - 225 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 192 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 179 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 172 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 154 points
7. Sergio Perez - 139 points
8. George Russell - 122 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 50 points
10. Lance Stroll - 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
14. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
15. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen - 5 points
17. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
18. Alex Albon - 4 points
19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: The tifosi are out in big numbers in Monza!
14:45
Kieran Jackson
But will they have a Ferrari on pole position to cheer for?
15 minutes until qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Was Toto joking here?!
14:38
Kieran Jackson
"I made up my mind five minutes after Lewis Hamilton told me he was going to Ferrari"
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) August 31, 2024
Toto Wolff on signing Kimi Antonelli for the 2025 season pic.twitter.com/s9pp4NBiID
Antonelli, Bearman, Doohan: Meet the F1 stars of tomorrow as sport finally bloods young talent
14:23
Kieran Jackson
Preview by Kieran Jackson
For Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old wonderkid who Mercedes have high hopes will be their version of Max Verstappen, it was the biggest of comedowns at the Italian Grand Prix on Friday. The scene was set, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza glistening in 35C sunshine, as the Italian prospect expected to replace Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows next year took to the track in first practice: his first session in Formula 1.
But after just 10 minutes, Antonelli slid violently off the tarmac, across the gravel and smashed into the tyre barrier at the final corner, Parabolica. Toto Wolff, who has overlooked Carlos Sainz and other experienced drivers in pursuing an early promotion from F2 for the teenager, grimaced in the garage.
Immediately, a learning curve. Welcome to the big boys, Kimi.
Full piece below:
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Constructor Standings ahead of Italian GP:
14:10
Kieran Jackson
1. Red Bull - 434 points
2. McLaren - 404 points
3. Ferrari - 370 points
4. Mercedes - 276 points
5. Aston Martin - 74 points
6. RB - 34 points
7. Haas - 27 points
8. Alpine - 11 points
9. Williams - 4 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: ICYMI - Kimi Antonelli replaces Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes F1 in 2025
14:00
Kieran Jackson
Teenage superstar Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been announced as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes next season.
The 18-year-old Mercedes junior, who has been racing in Formula 2 for Prema this year, is one of motorsport’s brightest talents and will partner George Russell in 2025.
Full story below:
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Here are the Driver Standings heading into the Monza weekend...
13:50
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 295 points
2. Lando Norris - 225 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 192 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 179 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 172 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 154 points
7. Sergio Perez - 139 points
8. George Russell - 122 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 50 points
10. Lance Stroll - 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
14. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
15. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen - 5 points
17. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
18. Alex Albon - 4 points
19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
McLaren F1 boss refuses to prioritise Lando Norris as No 1 driver
13:35
Kieran Jackson
McLaren boss Andrea Stella has ruled out prioritising Lando Norris as the team’s No 1 driver after the British star’s victory at the Dutch Grand Prix closed the gap on Max Verstappen to 70 points.
Norris is the defending champion’s closest competitor and won his second race in Formula 1 by 20 seconds at what is Verstappen’s home race in Zandvoort.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’ teammate, is 116 points behind Verstappen after putting together a solid run of results around his victory in Hungary in July. As such, the output of McLaren as a team is king for Stella.
Full quotes below:
What time is qualifying this afternoon in Monza?
13:24
Kieran Jackson
Saturday 31 August
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 1 September
- Race: 2pm
How can I watch it online and on TV?
The Italian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom - and ESPN in the United States. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 12:30pm (BST).
You can watch highlights on free-to-air Channel 4 at 5:30pm (BST) on Saturday evening for qualifying and 5:30pm on Sunday evening for the race.
Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action at Monza on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Who is Franco Colapinto? Argentine F1 driver replacing axed Logan Sargeant at Williams
13:12
Kieran Jackson
A top-10 appearance for Colapinto in FP3 - but who is Williams’ new driver?
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: FP3 RESULTS IN FULL
13:02
Kieran Jackson
It's bragging rights to Mercedes ahead of qualifying
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 31, 2024
Here's the full FP3 classification, including a top ten appearance for rookie Franco Colapinto #F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/MRoC41pUZX
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton quickest in FP3!
12:45
Kieran Jackson
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton quickest in FP3!
12:36
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton quickest then after a late flurry of quick laps - but his time of 1:20:117 is the one to beat!
George Russell is in second, 0.093 secs behind, with Charles Leclerc in third and Oscar Piastri in fourth.
Lando Norris is only P5 - 0.145 secs behind Hamilton - and Max Verstappen down in sixth!
7-10: Sainz, Albon, Colapinto, Hulkenberg
And Sergio Perez? P18!
Meanwhile, Kevin Magnussen has been told to stop on the track in sector two right at the end of the session - maybe an engine issue?!
Fascinating session though!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Max Verstappen only sixth-fastest
12:24
Kieran Jackson
Verstappen’s quickest lap yet but he’s two-tenths down and is only sixth on the timesheet!
Verstappen: “The car doesn’t seem to turn in low speed or medium speed.”
It’s now a Mercedes one-two with Lewis Hamilton in first and George Russell 0.093 secs behind!
1-10: Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Verstappen, Sianz, Albon, Colapinto, Alonso
Final 5 mins.
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris up to second!
12:20
Kieran Jackson
Quick... but not quick enough for top spot in FP3!
Lando Norris is 0.026 secs short of Charles Leclerc’s new leading time of 1:20:2
Oscar Piastri is a tad behind in third, with Carlos Sainz in fourth.
Max Verstappen? Down in P9!
Final soft tyre runs coming up though in the last 15 minutes!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Charles Leclerc shoots up to P1!
12:03
Kieran Jackson
The prospects look good for Ferrari at their home track as Charles Leclerc goes top of the timesheet with a 1:20:614, 0.092 secs quicker than George Russell behind him on mediums.
Carlos Sainz is third in the other Ferrari, with Lewis Hamilton fourth and Lando Norris fifth - there doesn’t seem to be too much difference between the soft and the medium in terms of lap time.
6-10: Piastri, Verstappen, Hulkenberg, Perez, Alonso
30 mins gone, 30 mins to go!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Oscar Piastri quickest early on
11:47
Kieran Jackson
The only frontrunner on softs early on, Piastri sets a 1:20:887 up top, 0.063 secs quicker than Max Verstappen on mediums.
George Russell and Lewis Hamilton are third and fourth respectively, with Sergio Perez fifth.
Plenty of time for that to change though...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: FP3 underway!
11:31
Kieran Jackson
Third practice then! And the Sauber of Valtteri Bottas is the first car out on track at Monza...
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: FP3 at Monza!
11:27
Kieran Jackson
We’re about to get underway with the third and final hour of practice in Monza!
The final chance for the drivers and teams to get up to speed with their cars and the track before qualifying this afternoon!
And it’s another belting sunny day just outside Milan!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton hopes Lando Norris can take F1 title race against Max Verstappen ‘down to the wire’
11:22
Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton insists there are “plenty of points to play for” as Lando Norris looks to launch an ambitious title fightback against Max Verstappen.
McLaren’s Norris trails Verstappen by 70 points with nine races left but will be buoyed by his superior speed during his win last Sunday at the Dutch Grand Prix, where the Brit beat the Dutchman by 22.8 seconds.
And seven-time F1 champion Hamilton, who won his first world championship with McLaren in 2008 and was involved in a famous title race with Verstappen in 2021, hopes his compatriot can take it down to the final race in Abu Dhabi on December 8.
“There are a lot of points on the table so it is not impossible,” Hamilton said ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
Full quotes below:
Constructors’ Championship
11:14
Kieran Jackson
1. Red Bull - 434 points
2. McLaren - 404 points
3. Ferrari - 370 points
4. Mercedes - 276 points
5. Aston Martin - 74 points
6. RB - 34 points
7. Haas - 27 points
8. Alpine - 11 points
9. Williams - 4 points
10. Sauber - 0 points
Antonelli, Bearman, Doohan: Meet the F1 stars of tomorrow as sport finally bloods young talent
11:05
Kieran Jackson
Preview by Kieran Jackson
For Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old wonderkid who Mercedes have high hopes will be their version of Max Verstappen, it was the biggest of comedowns at the Italian Grand Prix on Friday. The scene was set, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza glistening in 35C sunshine, as the Italian prospect expected to replace Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows next year took to the track in first practice: his first session in Formula 1.
But after just 10 minutes, Antonelli slid violently off the tarmac, across the gravel and smashed into the tyre barrier at the final corner, Parabolica. Toto Wolff, who has overlooked Carlos Sainz and other experienced drivers in pursuing an early promotion from F2 for the teenager, grimaced in the garage.
Immediately, a learning curve. Welcome to the big boys, Kimi.
Full piece below:
Driver Standings ahead of Monza:
11:00
Kieran Jackson
1. Max Verstappen - 295 points
2. Lando Norris - 225 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 192 points
4. Oscar Piastri - 179 points
5. Carlos Sainz - 172 points
6. Lewis Hamilton - 154 points
7. Sergio Perez - 139 points
8. George Russell - 122 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 50 points
10. Lance Stroll - 24 points
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 22 points
12. Yuki Tsunoda - 22 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 12 points
14. Pierre Gasly - 8 points
15. Oliver Bearman - 6 points
16. Kevin Magnussen - 5 points
17. Esteban Ocon - 5 points
18. Alex Albon - 4 points
19. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
Start times this weekend in Monza:
10:55
Kieran Jackson
Saturday 31 August
- Free practice 3: 11:30am
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday 1 September
- Race: 2pm
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Antonelli reacts...
10:52
Kieran Jackson
“It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025,” said Antonelli. “Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy.
“I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me. I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity. I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team.
“I’m also really excited to become George’s team-mate. He came through the team’s junior programme just like myself and is someone I have a huge amount of respect for. He is super-fast, a multiple grand prix winner, and has already helped me improve as a driver. I am looking forward to learning from him and working together to deliver on track.”
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Kimi Antonelli replaces Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes F1 in 2025
10:51
Kieran Jackson
Teenage superstar Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been announced as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes next season.
The 18-year-old Mercedes junior, who has been racing in Formula 2 for Prema this year, is one of motorsport’s brightest talents and will partner George Russell in 2025 and beyond.
Seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton, who won six of his seven titles with the Silver Arrows, will leave Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of the season following 12 years with the team.
And Wolff, instead of signing Williams-bound Carlos Sainz and with Max Verstappen staying at Red Bull, has opted to hand Italian youngster Antonelli the chance of a lifetime with a race contract at Mercedes.
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Goodbye!
Friday 30 August 2024 18:05
Kieran Jackson
Thanks for following our coverage today and please join us for qualifying tomorrow at 3pm (BST) at Monza!
It should be a cracker!
Antonelli, Bearman, Doohan: Meet the F1 stars of tomorrow as sport finally bloods young talent
Friday 30 August 2024 17:40
Kieran Jackson
Preview by Kieran Jackson
For Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old wonderkid who Mercedes have high hopes will be their version of Max Verstappen, it was the biggest of comedowns at the Italian Grand Prix on Friday. The scene was set, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza glistening in 35C sunshine, as the Italian prospect expected to replace Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows next year took to the track in first practice: his first session in Formula 1.
But after just 10 minutes, Antonelli slid violently off the tarmac, across the gravel and smashed into the tyre barrier at the final corner, Parabolica. Toto Wolff, who has overlooked Carlos Sainz and other experienced drivers in pursuing an early promotion from F2 for the teenager, grimaced in the garage.
Immediately, a learning curve. Welcome to the big boys, Kimi.
Full piece below:
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: FP2 RESULTS IN FULL
Friday 30 August 2024 17:21
Kieran Jackson
Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari lock out the top six ✅
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 30, 2024
Here's the classification from FP2 #F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/jBdBzYldPg
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lewis Hamilton quickest in FP2!
Friday 30 August 2024 17:09
Kieran Jackson
The seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton sets the standard to close out Friday, with a time of 1:20:738 just 0.003 secs quicker than Lando Norris in second! Carlos Sainz is third, a tenth off.
4-10: Piastri, Leclerc, Russell, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Alonso, Stroll
Max Verstappen did not set a quick time on the soft tyre and is down in 14th!
It all leaves it pretty open heading into qualifying tomorrow!
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: FP2 resumes!
Friday 30 August 2024 16:47
Kieran Jackson
Magnussen’s car has been cleared from the wall and, with 20 minutes to go, we’re back on track in Monza!
Sergio Perez’s car is now on track, too, no doubt keen to set a qualifying simulation lap.
Top-3: Hamilton, Norris, Sainz
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Kevin Magnussen crashes!
Friday 30 August 2024 16:33
Kieran Jackson
Another big shunt!
Kevin Magnussen is in the wall at the second Lesmo right-hand turn, spinning off track and smashing into the advertising board!
RED FLAG!
Magnussen says he’s “OK.”
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Lando Norris up in P1!
Friday 30 August 2024 16:28
Kieran Jackson
As the qualifying runs begin, Lando Norris shoots to the top of the timesheet with a McLaren one-two - 1:20:741 is the time to beat, 0.1177 secs quicker than Piastri.
Charles Leclerc is in third, with Nico Hulkenberg a surprise name in fourth and Lewis Hamilton in fifth
Meanwhile, Hamilton sounds unamused over radio: “I can hear someone laughing in the background.”
His team-mate George Russell is now out on track with his car fixed but oddly, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez is yet to leave the pit-lane...
35 mins to go.
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Carlos Sainz quickest early on!
Friday 30 August 2024 16:15
Kieran Jackson
They’re all on medium tyres to begin with and Carlos Sainz is fastest with a 1:21:264, 0.341 secs quicker than Lando Norris and 0.346 secs quicker than Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton is in the mix in fourth, as is Oscar Piastri in fifth.
15 mins gone.
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: FP2 underway
Friday 30 August 2024 16:02
Kieran Jackson
The Alpine of Esteban Ocon is the first car out on track for this second hour of practice! Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc also gives the tifosi fans in the grandstand a wave as he leaves the pit lane!
George Russell, in the Mercedes garage, is still standing up as the mechanics put the finishing touches to fixing the car from Antonelli’s crash earlier.
Should be about 10 minutes until it’s ready.
F1 Italian Grand Prix LIVE: Second practice coming right up!
Friday 30 August 2024 15:56
Kieran Jackson
We’re five minutes away from FP2 in Monza!
George Russell will be back in the car - but is his Mercedes car completely fixed following Kimi Antonelli’s crash earlier?
Another important hour ahead for Wil
