Monza will host the last Grand Prix weekend held in Europe in 2012 before Formula 1 travels to Asia and America for the last seven races.
French Toro Rosso driver Jean-Éric Vergne was first on-track, but all of the drivers were presented with a selection of challenges. Between the Ascari Chicane and Parabolica new tarmac has been laid and a number of leaves had fallen onto the racing line in the braking zone of the former.
McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton, who has been a subject of discussion this week, set the first lap time, almost six seconds slower than the 1:25.422 of Mercedes' Michael Schumacher as the circuit was yet to be rubbered in.
More than usual, braking and kerbs are the name of the day at Monza. A couple of drivers tested the limits at the first turn, not least Brazilian Ferrari driver Felipe Massa and his former Ferrari team mate Kimi Räikkönen, but only the Iceman dared to take an extremely tight line into second chicane the Roggia. Räikkönen experienced a high-flying moment which damaged the undertray of his Lotus.
In the last part of the first free practice session, Spanish Ferrari driver and current Championship leader Fernando Alonso pulled off at the Rettifilo with a suspected engine problem. Venezuelan Williams driver Pastor Maldonado stopped on the exit of the Roggia, with his FW34 getting stuck in second gear and with his DRS flap jammed open.
Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher, who knows Monza all too well, led the way from Belgian Grand Prix winner Jenson Button and his German Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg. Both Ferrari's ended the session in fourth and fifth , with Fernando Alonso being the top Ferrari driver.
McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton, whose future is still undecided, came in sixth in front of Lotus driver Kimi Räikkönen, who came in seventh.
Mexican Sauber driver Sergio Perez, who hopes to have a better weekend than last weekend in Belgium when he had to retire from the race, finished the session in eighth ahead of Australian Red Bull driver Mark Webber in ninth. Williams driver Pastor Maldonado completed the top ten.
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