Leclerc Sets Early Pace as Hadjar Crashes in Monaco Practice

Charles Leclerc set the pace on home soil during Friday's running for the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, backing up a rapid FP1 performance with another strong showing in second practice. The Monegasque driver was the only man to dip into the 1:13s in the morning session, while teammate Lewis Hamilton slotted into second. While Ferrari impressed, drama elsewhere drew attention as Red Bull rookie Isack Hadjar crashed out and Lando Norris narrowly avoided a similar fate at the Swimming Pool exit.

Why it matters:

Monaco is a circuit where qualifying trim and driver confidence effectively dictate the entire weekend. Leclerc's early edge sends a clear signal that Ferrari has the raw speed to fight for pole position and the race win at a track where overtaking remains brutally difficult. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen's ongoing complaints about his Red Bull hint at underlying issues for the championship leader, and a subdued Friday for both Mercedes and McLaren raises the prospect that neither squad has fully dialed in its 2026 challenger for the tight, unforgiving Monte Carlo streets.

The details:

• Ferrari's early form: Leclerc dipped into the 1:13s during FP1 and carried that momentum into FP2, with Hamilton tracking him closely in second place. The Scuderia appears to have started the weekend with a genuine advantage over the rest of the field.
• Verstappen's concerns: The Dutchman still managed third in the opening session but was once again vocal about car issues, a worrying sign at a circuit where precision and absolute trust in the machinery are paramount.
• Hadjar's crash: Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar slammed into the wall at the Swimming Pool exit, bringing out the red flags and ending his session prematurely.
• Norris close call: The McLaren driver had a similar moment at the same corner but kept his car out of the barriers, though both McLaren and Mercedes appeared consistently off the pace throughout Friday.
• Russell's deficit: George Russell finished FP1 nearly half a second down on teammate Kimi Antonelli, leaving the Brackley squad with plenty of setup work to do before Saturday's qualifying.

What's next:

Saturday's final practice offers the last opportunity for teams to refine their race and qualifying setups before the all-important grid-determining session, where track position effectively locks in the race result. Ferrari will aim to convert its early speed into a front-row lockout, while Red Bull and Mercedes have significant ground to make up if they are to challenge for top honors. Hadjar's shunt also leaves his engineers facing a lengthy repair job ahead of the weekend's remaining sessions.