F1 2024 Italian GP at Monza LIVE: Practice schedule, start time updates and times as Antonelli signs in Monza

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.

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

• Free practice 3: 11:30am
• Qualifying: 3pm

“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.”

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.

Thanks for following our coverage today and please join us for qualifying tomorrow at 3pm (BST) at Monza!

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.

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!

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