After concluding FP1 with a Ferrari 1-2, the second practice of the weekend did not go as smoothly. While FP2 had more hiccups, the Ferrari duo still finished in the top 5. With Charles Leclerc in P2, only 0.083s behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, and Lewis Hamilton in P5.
The Monegasque driver took a trip across the gravel and grass while on his soft tyre run in FP2. After a lock-up when he had already committed to the corner, the SF25 dragged him across the gravel. Similarly, Hamilton had a dip in the gravel when he went off track as well. The Ferrari team appeared to have made changes to the car between the sessions which led to both drivers experiencing some issues during their FP2 run.
Hamilton: “It’s all I ever thought it would be and more”
The Italian GP weekend becomes Hamilton’s first time around Monza as a Ferrari driver. As it is the Scuderia team’s home Grand Prix, the Tifosi are cheering them on from every angle. While the seven-time World Champion was fastest around the track in FP1, he settled for P5 in FP2.
Hamilton was asked about his first time driving a Ferrari around the iconic Monza track. He responded seemingly in awe, stating in the TV media pen:
“It’s pretty incredible. Amazing feeling leaving the garage, just the whole experience. While I’m in blue, I joined the team to be in red, but the experience we had on Thursday with the Tifosi in Milan, and then to come here and drive out the garage in the red car, it’s all I ever thought it would be and more. FP1 was a good session, and then FP2, we made some changes in the car, it was a bit worse. The good thing is we can go back on it.”
When asked whether he was happy with how Friday’s practice sessions went, the Ferrari driver responded:
“Yeah, definitely, as I said, FP1 was really strong and FP2 was definitely much more of a struggle, but it’s better to have that in FP2 and learn from it rather than FP3. So, lots of positives to take from today, and we’ll do some work overnight and I hope that tomorrow we can be better.”
A looming penalty as the challenge for the weekend
After the Dutch GP, Hamilton was given a 5-place grid penalty to serve in Monza for a yellow flag infringement. As the driver failed to slow down during the double yellow flags, it puts him at a disadvantage on Ferrari’s home soil. As the driver continued to speak about the upcoming challenges of the weekend he mentioned the penalty, stating:
“I think the McLarens are obviously still very, very fast, and it’s close with everyone in the top five, top ten, so it’ll be a challenge. It’s not easy to overtake and I’ve obviously got that penalty which is unfortunate, but better have it now than next year, I guess.”
As Hamilton stated, the Formula 1 field is incredibly close with narrow margins separating the top teams. While it can be difficult to overtake in the temple of speed, the start of the race could be an opportunity to push through.
He continued to be asked if he could dream of an exciting weekend ahead, and the former World Champion expressed:
“Well, as I said, wherever I qualify I’m starting five places back from that which is not great and I think it’s going to be really difficult to overtake. We’re all so close within the top fifteen I think it is. But I do feel optimistic, I still feel like I could potentially move forwards. I was much happier with the car today so I hope that continues tomorrow – it will continue tomorrow cause I’ll make the changes tonight and come with a fresh head tomorrow.”
The SF25 is “tricky but fast”
Last year, the Italian GP was incredible for Leclerc as he won the Grand Prix here for the second time in his career. Standing on the top step of the podium in Monza in red must undoubtably be one of the most incredible moments as a Ferrari driver. While Leclerc would wish for a repeat of 2024, the SF25 makes it difficult to achieve without a miracle.
This time around, the Monegasque driver ended up P2 in the first two practice sessions. However, he still urges Ferrari to focus on the consistency as they move forward. When asked if they were quick on low-fuel while high-fuel becomes tricker to handle, Leclerc responded:
“Both actually, on low fuel and high fuel it’s been quite tricky but fast. So, I’d rather be in this position than having a consistent car but slow. We need to work a little bit on consistency. On the short runs we managed to extract, more or less, what there was in the car. However, for tomorrow we need to get that consistency, and we are working on that. With the two cars we tried different things, especially in FP1, and it seems that we kind of know the direction for tomorrow. So I hope it’s the right one, but I’m confident it is.”
A tight Qualifying battle
The F1 field has been incredibly close in Qualifying this season. However, last year the margins were also small around Monza. While Qualifying was a McLaren 1-2, with the two Ferrari cars behind in P4 and P5, Leclerc still managed to battle his way to an amazing win during the race. This season, several teams have continuously improved their performance throughout the season, forcing the grid even closer together.
When asked if it’s a surprise to see Williams in the top three in FP2, the Ferrari driver expressed it was expected, stating:
“I spoke with Alex, I spoke with Carlos, and both told me they expected to be quick and considering where they have been quick since the beginning of the season, I knew they would be quick. For now they are actually in the fight for really the top positions, which is nice. I think it’s going to be a tight quali. It was the case last year, and I’m sure it will be the case tomorrow.”
Additionally, the 2024 Monza winner was asked if he could fight for pole this time. Leclerc candidly responded:
“Ah, that’s a difficult question. For now, I think it’s on the cards, but I don’t know how much Red Bull and McLaren have pushed just yet, I think they have more than what we have in their pocket. We still need to improve the car, but if we do, I think there is a possibility, yeah.”
While it remains to be seen how much the other teams will improve tomorrow, the Ferrari duo hope the overnight changes will be enough to put them back in the fight on home soil.
