Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has clocked the quickest time at Monza in the first practice session of the Italian Grand Prix.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was an early crowd favourite during the practice, and he played his part by waving to the fans while making his way around the circuit during an installation lap.

Rodolfo Gonzalez recorded the first lap time of the session, but McLaren's Jenson Button swiftly took the lead by clocking a time of 1:29.494s.

As the session continued, Hamilton came out onto the track, but had to take the escape road at the second chicane after locking up. However, the 28-year-old managed to finished his lap in 1:25.564s.

Alonso finished the session clocking the second quickest time, with Hamilton's teammate Nico Rosberg in third and Championship leader Sebastian Vettel for Red Bull in fourth.

First practice full standings:

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
2. Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)
3. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
4. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull)
5. Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
6. Sergio Perez (McLaren)
7. Jenson Button (McLaren)
8. Mark Webber (Red Bull)
9. Pastor Maldonado (Williams)
10. Jean-Eric Vergne (Toro Rosso)
11. Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber)
12. Romain Grosjean (Lotus)
13. Daniel Ricciardo (Toro Rosso)
14. Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
15. Paul di Resta (Force India)
16. Valterri Bottas (Williams)
17. James Calado (Force India)
18. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
19. Charles Pic (Caterham)
20. Max Chilton (Marussia)
21. Heikki Kovalainen (Caterham)
22. Rodolfo Gonzalez (Marussia)