Lewis Hamilton topped the times for Mercedes ahead of fellow Briton Jenson Button in Friday morning's opening free practice for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.
The championship chasing Englishman, who is 29 points adrift of team-mate German Nico Rosberg in the title race, was six-tenths of a second clear of the McLaren driver in a clear demonstration of his intent to make up lost ground.
Rosberg, who on Thursday apologised and took responsibility for his collision with Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix, was third fastest ahead of two time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, Dane Kevin Magnussen in the second McLaren and defednign four time champion German Sebastian Vettel in th eleading Red Bull.
Vettel's Red Bull team mate Australian Daniel Ricciardo, winner of three of the last six races, only completed 12 laps and had to retire to his garage with an engine problem with half an hour remaining.
Finn Kimi Raikkonen was seventh fastest in the second Ferrari ahead of Mexican Sergio Perez of Force India, Russian Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso and German Nico Hulkenberg, 10th in the second Force India.
The two Williams men were outside the top ten despite being among the quickest through the speed trap and Finn Valtteri Bottas was clearly giving it his all.
Source: AFP