F1 Monaco GP 2026: Leclerc Leads Ferrari 1-2 in First Practice

Charles Leclerc set the pace in the opening practice for the Monaco Grand Prix, leading a commanding Ferrari 1-2 ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. The Monegasque driver lapped the 3.337km circuit in 1m13.978s, 0.226s quicker than Hamilton, with Max Verstappen third for Red Bull, over half a second adrift.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's early strength on the tight, twisty Monaco streets signals a potential weekend advantage. This circuit heavily favors chassis and driver confidence over raw engine power, and the Scuderia's immediate pace suggests they are the team to beat around the principality. With Leclerc chasing his first home win, the momentum could be decisive.

The details:

• Leclerc leads: A 1m13.978s lap puts Leclerc at the sharp end, setting the benchmark for the weekend. His Monaco pedigree is unmatched, with multiple pole positions and near-misses.
• Ferrari 1-2: Hamilton's +0.226s gap shows immediate adaptation to both the team and the circuit. The two Ferraris were clearly operating in a different window.
• Verstappen in third: World champion Max Verstappen ended +0.513s back, with Red Bull appearing solid but not yet matching Ferrari's low-speed grip.
• Mercedes close: Kimi Antonelli and George Russell took fourth and fifth, albeit trailing by 0.559s and 1.005s respectively. The W15 looked competitive but not front-running.
• McLaren struggles: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were sixth and eighth, over a second off the pace. The McLaren seemed understeer-prone through the slow corners.
• Surprises: Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg placed seventh, just 0.052s behind Piastri. Gabriel Bortoleto was ninth, while veteran Fernando Alonso languished in 20th for Aston Martin.

The big picture:

Monaco remains a unique challenge, but the FP1 order often holds a strong correlation to qualifying. Ferrari's dominance in the sector times—especially through the swimming pool complex—indicates a car that rotates well in low-speed turns. Red Bull and Mercedes will need to extract more from their setups if they are to challenge for pole.

What's next:

FP2 later today will offer a clearer picture of true pace as teams run qualifying simulations on lower fuel. All eyes are on Ferrari's ability to sustain their form, and whether Verstappen can find a tenth or two overnight. Leclerc's home crowd will be hopeful.