Italian GP: Free Practice 1 - Re-Cap & Times

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX - FREE PRACTICE #1

    A very shocking start to the Italian GP weekend as Felipe Massa announces he will retire at the end of the 2016 season. Massa, who currently drives for Williams, will race in F1 for the last time at the end of November when the season concludes in Abu Dhabi.

    Massa suffered mechanical issues in this session, putting him off to a not-so-great start at Monza. Esteban Ocon also suffered from car troubles but both drivers were able to take part in the session and set times. 

    Mercedes topped the session with Nico Rosberg topping the time sheet with a 1:22.959. Team mate, Hamilton was right behind in 2nd. Raikkonen, Vettel and Perez completed the top 5.

    Alfonso Celis Jr. got to head back out in the other Force India, while Hulkenberg sat this session out. Celis finished the session in 12th with a 1:25.367. 

    Kevin Magnussen made his return behind the wheel of his Renault, after his shocking crash at Spa last week. The crash left him with only a cut/bruised ankle and luckily no other injuries. It was unclear however, if the Dane would pass the FIA medical exam ahead of this weekend. Magnussen indeed did pass and will be racing this weekend.

TIMES:

1. Nico Rosberg - 1:22.959 / Mercedes-Mercedes

2. Lewis Hamilton - 1:23.162 / Mercedes-Mercedes

3. Kimi Raikkonen - 1:24.047 / Ferrari-Ferrari

4. Sebastian Vettel - 1:24.307 / Ferrari-Ferrari

5. Sergio Perez - 1:24.650 / Force India-Mercedes

6. Romain Grosjean - 1:24.763 / Haas-Ferrari

7. Valtteri Bottas - 1:24.785 / Williams-Mercedes

8. Max Verstappen - 1:24.982 / Red Bull-TAG-HEUER

9. Esteban Gutierrez - 1:25.113 / Haas-Ferrari

10. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:25.120 / Red Bull-TAG-HEUER

11. Jenson Button - 1:25.351 / McLaren-Honda

12. Alfonso Celis Jr.* - 1:25.367 / Force India-Mercedes

13. Fernando Alonso - 1:25.507 / McLaren-Honda

14. Felipe Massa - 1:25.840 / Williams-Mercedes

15. Marcus Ericsson - 1:25.853 / Sauber-Ferrari

16. Carlos Sainz - 1:25.973 / Toro Rosso-Ferrari

17. Daniil Kvyat - 1:26.074 / Toro Rosso-Ferrari

18. Esteban Ocon - 1:26.391 / Manor-Mercedes

19. Felipe Nasr - 1:26.439 / Sauber-Ferrari

20. Pascal Wehrlein - 1:26.762 / Manor-Mercedes

21. Jolyon Palmer - 1:26.811 / Renault-Renault

22. Kevin Magnussen - 1:26.956 / Renault-Renault

* - Driving in this session only

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Article Written By: Amy Hawk

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