Leclerc Leads Hamilton as Ferrari Dominate Monaco Practice

Charles Leclerc set the pace from teammate Lewis Hamilton in first practice for the Monaco Grand Prix, reinforcing Ferrari's status as early favorites around the tight, twisty streets. The local hero lapped 0.226s quicker than Hamilton with a 1:13.978, while championship leaders Mercedes could only manage fourth and fifth with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

Why it matters:

Monaco's unique circuit often amplifies car strengths, and Ferrari's immediate pace suggests they may finally have a package capable of converting their recent promise into a win. Mercedes have swept all poles and victories so far in 2026, but this session hints that streak could be under serious threat.

The details:

• Ferrari 1-2: Leclerc and Hamilton ran seamlessly, with the latter adapting quickly to the Scuderia's machinery on a track where driver confidence is everything.
• Red Bull in the mix: Max Verstappen slotted into third, splitting the Ferraris and Mercedes, though still half a second off the top time.
• McLaren struggles: Defending race winner Lando Norris finished sixth, over a second behind Leclerc, with teammate Oscar Piastri eighth – a worrying sign for the reigning constructors' champions.
• Crashes halt session: Isack Hadjar lost his Red Bull exiting the Swimming Pool section, and Fernando Alonso clipped the barriers at the harbor chicane, causing two brief red flags. Both drivers escaped damage beyond a broken front wing for Aston Martin.

What's next:

With FP2 and qualifying looming, Ferrari must prove this pace is sustainable over a single lap and a race stint. For Mercedes, the gap is manageable but demands immediate setup work. Monaco often rewards consistency over raw speed, and Leclerc – who just signed a contract extension – will be eager to finally win his home race.