Valtteri Bottas pipped Max Verstappen as drivers got the grips with Mugello during Practice 1 at the Tuscan Grand Prix.
On Formula 1’s first-ever race weekend at the Italian circuit, the Finn set a new lap record of 1m17.879s, beating Rubens Barrichello’s unofficial previous fastest in a 2004 Ferrari.
It was only enough for Bottas to be half a tenth clear of Max Verstappen in second, however, as the Red Bull looks more than happy around the sweeping turns of Mugello.
At Ferrari’s 1000th race, and after two miserable weekends at Spa and Monza, Charles Leclerc gave the small number of fans in the grandstands some hope in third, just three-tenths slower than Bottas.
Lewis Hamilton is taking his time to get upto speed around a new circuit for him, as the six-time world champion was half a second down on his Mercedes teammate in fourth.
Fresh from his maiden F1 win a five days ago at Monza, Pierre Gasly is looking quick again in fifth, ahead of Esteban Ocon and AlphaTauri teammate Daniil Kvyat in seventh.
Lando Norris’ years of watching Valentino Rossi race at Mugello in MotoGP is coming in handy as the Briton was eighth.
Alex Albon was 1.1s slower than Verstappen in ninth in the second Red Bull as Daniel Ricciardo completed the top 10 for Renault.
Exactly 20 years after the test at this track that earned him his F1 debut with Sauber in 2001, Kimi Raikkonen sat 11th in Practice 1 at the same team under their current guise as Alfa Romeo.
There were more struggles for Sebastian Vettel, as he was a full second behind teammate Leclerc in 13th on the same soft compound tyre.
Carlos Sainz was another driver somewhat out of position in 15th, as the two Racing Points were 18th and 19th, having set their best time on the hard Pirelli rubber.
Despite the intimidating gravel traps that surround the circuit, only Nicholas Latifi had a significant moment, with a spin between Turns 2 and 3 before continuing.
Instead, the main issue seen was traffic as several drivers struggled to get out of the way of others in areas where the corners come thick and fast.
Based on first impressions though, a fun weekend lies in store at Mugello as drivers start to push the limits a little more.
Full results from Practice 1 can be seen below:
