Charles Leclerc set the fastest time during the first free practice for the Monaco GP. Teammate Lewis Hamilton set the second fastest time, followed by Max Verstappen. The session was red-flagged twice.
Read more VIDEO: Isack Hadjar crashes in first free practice in Monaco
The first meters on European soil during a Grand Prix weekend this season are for Sergio Pérez. Now the drivers will only notice to what extent the slightly smaller dimensions and shorter wheelbase will help them to maneuver better on the winding circuit in the principality. Furthermore, Straight Mode is not applicable this weekend in Monaco, but the drivers can still use Overtake Mode.
Throughout the weekend, the drivers slowly but surely build up speed on the narrow street circuit. But this does not mean that the drivers lean back in the first free practice. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, in particular, are on par in the opening phase of the session.
In Monaco, it’s all about seeing and being seen. Three teams are showcasing a striking livery this weekend. McLaren’s is in celebration of their thousandth Grand Prix in Formula 1, and Audi’s is due to the launch of their new supercar, the Nuvolari. Aston Martin is giving extra attention to one of its sponsors, and the car partially changes color as it races around the track.
Ferrari is seen as a big favorite this weekend. Halfway through the session, local hero Charles Leclerc is at the top of the timesheet, followed by teammate Hamilton. The Monegasque extended his contract with Ferrari today, which will likely give him extra motivation to push the throttle a bit harder.
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While Kimi Antonelli sets the fastest time on the medium tire, the red flag follows not much later. Isack Hadjar writes off his Red Bull in the chicane after the swimming pool. This is exactly what you don’t need as a driver in Monaco if you want to build confidence. As soon as the marshals have removed the wreck and debris, the session continues.
With seventeen minutes left on the clock, the field is released again. The Ferraris are now also on the medium tire and set things straight: P1 and P2. Max Verstappen is not happy with the car, but still squeezes out a third-fastest time.
Then another red flag follows. Fernando Alonso goes sideways coming out of the tunnel. Miraculously, he only loses a piece of his front wing, but there are some parts on the track. Since we are in the final minutes of the session, no one can improve their time.
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