Oscar Piastri therefore nipped ahead of Verstappen in fourth during the session that was twice halted, with Charles Leclerc, so far the slower of the two Ferrari cars throughout practice at Monza, sixth in front of the Tifosi.
Before any drivers could set a representative time in Friday’s second F1 session – the two Alfa Romeo cars had however completed initial laps well off the expected pace – the session was halted after it had barely begun due to Lance Stroll stopping his Aston Martin just past the Ascari chicane.
