F1 2019 Italian Grand Prix: Friday as it happened!

Click here for Crash.net's live text commentary of the 2019 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix from Monza. 

Formula 1 returns for the second time in the space of a week for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Ferrari heads into its home race riding off the back of a wave of confidence following its first victory of the season at the Belgian Grand Prix last time out.

Charles Leclerc fended off a late charge from world championship leader Lewis Hamilton to record his maiden grand prix win, which he dedicated to his close friend Anthoine Hubert, who tragically lost his life after a serious crash in a supporting Formula 2 race that overshadowed the weekend in Spa.

The Scuderia has not stepped foot on the top step of the Monza podium since Fernando Alonso’s triumph back in 2010, though it will be optimistic of success this time around given the strengths of its power unit, which has proven to be the class of the field so far in 2019.

Back-to-back wins would provide Ferrari with a welcome boost heading into the final rounds of the campaign, following a frustrating opening half of the season that has seen Mercedes stroll into a comfortable lead in both world championships.

F1 will once again be joined by F2 and Formula 3 this weekend in Monza as its support races.

The opening F1 90-minute practice session gets underway at 1100, before second practice kicks off this afternoon at 1500.

Rain is forecast throughout the day, which could disrupt the planned running for the teams and drivers.