The Monegasque driver topped both practice sessions at Imola, edging McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 0.192s in the second session, on a strong day for Ferrari following the arrival of its upgrade package.
Yuki Tsunoda impressed in FP2 by shooting up to third place for RB, ahead of both Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, with Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari in sixth.
It was a tough day for world champions Red Bull with Max Verstappen suffering multiple off-track moments and fading to seventh, just ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez in eighth.
Miami GP winner Lando Norris bailed out of his qualifying simulation lap to see him drop to 12th for McLaren in FP2.
