F1 Italian GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 and Qualifying

Perez improves on his fourth flying lap to go second again on a 1m23.191s, but Hamilton goes faster still on a 1m22.262s - some 0.92s faster.

Tsunoda radios in to say his seatbelt is loose. I think I'd rather have slightly spongy brakes than loose belts, given the choice.

Leclerc now goes quicker than Perez and slots into second as the fastest hard-shod runner on a 1m24.120s. Russell meanwhile has joined the fray on hards.

After the first timed laps, perhaps no surprise to see Hamilton go top on his mediums with a 1m23.614s. That's six tenths up on Perez, with a 1m24.270s.

Russell is the only driver yet to venture out of the pits for Williams.

Most drivers have elected to start the session on the hard tyre, but a few have gone out on mediums. Those in the latter camp include Perez, the two Mercedes and two Haas drivers.

Immediately the track is full of cars looking to work on their set-ups for qualifying - remember, the cars enter parc ferme following this one-hour session, after which their set-up philosophy for the weekend will be locked in.

As you might expect, there are plenty of Ferrari fans in attendance this weekend. For a little insight into what it's like to race in front of the ultra-passionate Italian fans, why not bookmark a special edition of the Autosport podcast with guest Vitantonio Liuzzi looking back on an F1 career full of fits and starts? Listen in here: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/autosport-podcast-liuzzi-on-his-f1-career-and-italian-gp-preview/6663489/

Kubica, don't forget, finished on the podium at Monza in only his third F1 start in 2006, sharing the rostrum with none other than Michael Schumacher and the man who would replace him at Ferrari in 2007, Raikkonen. Kubica also took a podium in 2008, sharing with Sebastian Vettel and Heikki Kovalainen in what for a decade remained F1's youngest-ever podium until being usurped by the 2019 Brazilian GP - following Lewis Hamilton's penalty for contact with Alex Albon that promoted Carlos Sainz Jr.

There are set to be plenty of eyes on Alfa Romeo over the coming weeks with the seat alongside Bottas the only one yet to be determined for next year. Incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi is one driver in the frame, F2 racer Theo Pourchaire understood to be another. But keep an eye out too for the driver in Giovinazzi's sister car this weekend, as Robert Kubica continues in place of Kimi Raikkonen - who was forced out of last weekend's Dutch GP by a positive COVID-19 test.

Pictures of Russell meeting Hamilton as an 11-year-old karter have been doing the rounds on social media ever since the announcement on Tuesday, and on Thursday Russell spoke eloquently of his memories of that day as if it were only last weekend. In fairness, I can remember being overwhelmed at getting an autograph from A1GP champion-elect Adam Carroll in 2009. Here's Russell on first encountering "superhero" Hamilton: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/russell-recalls-meeting-superhero-hamilton-for-the-first-time/6663784/  

Aside from discussions over a return of the sprint format, there's been plenty happening in the paddock over the past week since we were in Zandvoort - not least in the driver market. Unless you've been under a rock, you'll have seen that Valtteri Bottas will be moving to Alfa Romeo, with George Russell taking his place at Mercedes, while Alex Albon has been confirmed at Williams.

In the same discussion, it emerged that F1 is considering making sprint races standalone events in 2022, rather than a means of deciding the grid for Sunday's grand prix. Also, don't expect to see a victory lap on the back of a truck as happened at Silverstone. Full details here: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-considering-standalone-sprint-race-plan-for-2022/6663763/

After F1's first experiment with the sprint race (let's just call it what it is, shall we?) at Silverstone, there was plenty of mixed reaction to the spectacle. Jonathan Noble sat down with F1's Ross Brawn to discuss what was learned from the experience, and why it's keen to take action to address the criticisms: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-f1-is-ready-to-act-on-sprint-race-criticisms/6663890/

We'll be getting underway with FP1 in a little over 15 minutes' time at 13:30 BST, before qualifying kicks off at 5pm BST.

In case you'd forgotten, it's the second trial of Formula 1's sprint format this weekend - so the timetable is a little unusual compared to normal.

Good afternoon and welcome to Autosport's live text coverage of Friday action from Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.