Lewis Hamilton Makes Striking Ducati Entrance at Italian GP, Tops FP1

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton made a memorable arrival at the Italian Grand Prix, riding into Monza on a Ducati Panigale V4 S superbike. Dressed in the Italian tricolore livery, his entrance captivated fans as he prepared for his first race at the historic track with Ferrari.

Why it matters

Hamilton's unique arrival, combined with strong initial practice performances, sets an exciting tone for the Italian Grand Prix. It's a symbolic gesture as he anticipates his move to Ferrari, and despite a grid penalty, he showed promising pace.

The details

• Practice Performance: Hamilton topped the FP1 timesheets with 1m20.117s, 0.169 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri, with Charles Leclerc securing a Ferrari 1-2. He finished fifth in FP2, which was led by Lando Norris.
• Grid Penalty: Hamilton faces a five-place grid penalty due to a yellow flag infringement at the Dutch Grand Prix.
• The Ducati: The Panigale V4 S featured the Italian tricolore livery. It houses a 1103cc Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine, producing 215 horsepower and 120.9 Nm of torque. Weighing 187 kg dry, it boasts advanced rider aids and MotoGP-derived technology.

Hamilton's reaction

“P1 was a good session, P2 we made some changes and the car was a bit worse. The good thing is we can go back on it,” Hamilton stated after Friday’s practice. “Lots of positives to take from today and we will do some work overnight and I hope tomorrow we can be better.”

Looking ahead

Despite the grid penalty, Hamilton's strong practice pace suggests he will be a contender. The passionate tifosi will be keenly watching his performance throughout the weekend.