Ferrari delighted home supporters by securing the top two positions during Friday’s opening practice session. Charles Leclerc led Hamilton before finishing second in Free Practice 2, while Hamilton placed fifth.

Hamilton finished the second session almost half a second behind Mercedes Driver George Russell. Hamilton attributed part of the gap to running without a tow along Monza’s long straights. “The long run wasn’t bad, just lacking a bit of pace,” Hamilton said.

“But a lot of the pace came from straight-line speed, a lot to do with tows and stuff. I was pretty on my own out there.”

Hamilton said Ferrari needed to improve straight-line performance and car balance before qualifying, with Mercedes and McLaren showing competitive pace. “The Mercedes is very quick on the straights as always, so we have some work to do overnight to see if we can improve that and improve the balance a little bit,” Hamilton said.

“It’s going to be tight; it is very close. We are up against the McLarens and the Mercedes; they both look very, very competitive.”

Hamilton has shown improved form during a second season with Ferrari, including a first Grand Prix victory for the Italian team in Barcelona.

The seven-time World Champion sits joint-second in the Drivers’ Championship standings, 59 points behind Mercedes Driver Kimi Antonelli.

However, Hamilton has yet to secure a pole position for Ferrari. A first pole in red at Ferrari’s home race would carry added significance. “I mean, that’s the dream, that’s the ultimate dream. Whether or not we can is the big, big question,” Hamilton said.

“It is going to take a lot of work tonight to try and figure out if we have gone wrong anywhere and if there are any places we can improve.”

Hamilton said qualifying success would also depend on positioning and gaining a tow at the right moment. “Being in the right place at the right time on this track is going to help a lot,” Hamilton said.

–F1/ChannelAfrica–