Hamilton first in first practice

Lewis Hamilton led the opening practice session Friday for the Italian Grand Prix, reacting well to his race-ending accident in Belgium two weeks ago.

Hamilton clocked 1 minute, 23.865 seconds around the high-speed Monza circuit and McLaren teammate Jenson Button was next, 0.921 seconds behind.

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull teammate Mark Webber were third and fourth, respectively, while defending champion Fernando Alonso of Ferrari was only seventh after his session was cut short by an apparent cut left rear tire.

Mercedes driver Michael Schumacher, who has won a record five times at Monza, was 11th after driving onto the gravel midway through the session.