Norris fastest from Leclerc in Monza practice

Italian Grand Prix

Venue: Monza Dates: 5-7 September Race start: 14:00 BST on Sunday

Coverage: Live commentary of practice and qualifying on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and Sports Extra 2 with race on BBC Radio 5 Live; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app

Lando Norris topped Friday practice at the Italian Grand Prix at the start of a weekend in which he needs to make inroads into team-mate Oscar Piastri's championship lead.

Norris dropped to 34 points behind the Australian with nine races remaining following a retirement in last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix, the first race after Formula 1's summer break.

Norris was 0.083 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in second place, ahead of Williams' Carlos Sainz, Piastri, the second Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen's Red Bull.

Hamilton has a five-place grid penalty for the grand prix after an infringement on the reconnaissance laps before the Dutch event.

Piastri missed the first practice session as McLaren protege Alex Dunne was driving his car, and set his fastest time on his second lap on the soft tyres after a problem on his first attempt.

Both McLaren drivers were among several drivers to have moments as they tested the limits at the high-speed and historic Monza circuit.

Norris had a big slide at the second chicane, known as Roggia, and Piastri had his own moment, running a little wide and kicking up the gravel at the second Lesmo.

The biggest incident involved Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who brought out a red flag when he had a spin at the second Lesmo.

More to follow