Tifosi flock to Nastro Azzurro event to see Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

The pair appeared at Piazzetta Reale for the "Drive to Monza" event ahead of Ferrari's home Formula 1 race at Monza this weekend. Thousands of fans gathered to see Leclerc and Hamilton, with the event broadcast live on Sky Sport in Italy.

Ferrari will head to Monza under intense home support, with the Italian Grand Prix traditionally one of the most important weekends of the season for the Maranello-based team.

The event formed part of Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%'s partnership with Ferrari and also featured a DJ set by Peggy Gou.

"'Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Drive to Monza' became one of the most iconic events of the Monza Grand Prix: an experience that unites brand heritage, passion and Italian style, turning a major sporting moment into a unique occasion for togetherness," Birra Peroni Marketing Director Viviana Manera said.

The programme continued inside Palazzo Reale as guests marked the beginning of the Italian Grand Prix weekend.

Ferrari partner PUMA was also due to stage a performance linked to its Michael Schumacher Special Edition collection, while the Ferrari Museum displayed the F1-2000 raced by Schumacher.

The German won the 2000 Formula 1 world championship in the car, ending Ferrari's long wait for a drivers' title and beginning a run of five successive championships for Schumacher.

This year's Monza weekend forms part of Ferrari's celebrations marking 30 years since Schumacher's first season with the team in 1996.

Ferrari will race at Monza on Sunday in front of the Tifosi, with Leclerc and Hamilton carrying the team's hopes of a home victory at the historic circuit. It would be the seven time F1 World Champions sixth victory at Monza, and the Scuderia's 21st at home.