Ferrari fly but Norris fastest in Monza practice

MONZA, Italy :Ferrari made a flying start to their home Italian Formula One Grand Prix on Friday but McLaren's title contender Lando Norris, bouncing back from the body blow of car failure in the previous race, set the practice pace.

The Briton lapped Monza's sunlit 'Pista Magica' with a best lap of one minute and 19.878 seconds in the afternoon's second session, 0.083 quicker than Ferrari's 2024 winner Charles Leclerc.

Norris is 34 points behind championship-leading teammate Oscar Piastri with runaway leaders McLaren chasing a sixth win in a row on Sunday.

"At the moment it's a little bit close for my liking, but we’re not in a bad spot," said Norris. "We've still got a few things to improve, but it's good we're still at the top of the timings despite that."

Former Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz was third fastest for Williams with Piastri fourth and Ferrari's seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton fifth.

Hamilton, making his first Monza appearance in Ferrari red, and Leclerc had delighted the Ferrari fans with a surprise one-two in first practice.

Five-times Italian GP winner Hamilton's leading time then was 1:20.117, with Leclerc 0.169 slower.

"The mood in general is very good, and we had a positive push from the tifosi (fans) all week, from Monday morning in front of the factory. This is an extra energy and a good one," said Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur.

Hamilton has yet to stand on the podium for Ferrari and Friday was a morale boost for the team after a double blank in the Netherlands last weekend when both cars crashed.

The Briton will carry a five-place grid penalty into Sunday's race from Zandvoort.

"It's very special to be out on track in front of the tifosi, the passion and energy here in Monza is truly unique," said