Leclerc fastest in 1st practice session for Italian GP

MONZA, Italy (AP) — Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc posted the fastest time Friday in a rain-affected first practice session for the Italian Grand Prix.

Leclerc was .306 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr. and .545 clear of Lando Norris in wet conditions that caused several cars to spin off the track.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was fourth fastest, 0.825 seconds off the pace, while Sebastian Vettel was more than two seconds slower than the leader.

There were three red flags during the session, including crashes by Kimi Raikkonen and Sergio Perez. Both walked away unscathed.

After Leclerc’s maiden Formula One win at last weekend’s Belgian GP, Ferrari is looking to end a nine-year wait for success at its home race.

There is a second practice session later Friday.