Leclerc tops home FP1 in Monaco as red flags disrupt session

Charles Leclerc set the pace in his home grand prix’s first practice session at Monaco, topping the timesheets with a 1:13.978 – the only driver to dip under the 1:14 mark. Lewis Hamilton ended the session second for Mercedes, followed by Max Verstappen in third. Two red flags, caused by crashes for Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso, limited running in the final stages.

Why it matters:

Practice pace in Monaco carries extra weight because overtaking is nearly impossible on race day. Leclerc’s early advantage provides a strong foundation for a crucial qualifying session, and for a home win that has eluded him so far. Ferrari’s immediate performance on the streets of Monte Carlo signals they are ready to challenge Mercedes, who had been the benchmark in recent rounds.

The details:

• Leclerc’s early scare: The Ferrari driver locked up on his out lap and ran deep into the Mirabeau escape road but reversed out without damage.
• Antonelli’s mid-session surge: The Mercedes driver bolted on medium tyres and shot to the top, establishing a 0.4s advantage before others improved.
• First red flag (Hadjar): Isack Hadjar crashed heavily exiting the Swimming Pool section, bringing out a red flag with about 30 minutes left. He had been running eighth at the time.
• Hamilton responds: With 10 minutes left, Hamilton took the lead with a 1:14.204 on mediums. Leclerc countered with his 1:13.978 lap to retake the top spot.
• Second red flag (Alonso): Fernando Alonso clipped the wall at the Harbour Chicane, damaging his front wing and scattering debris. The stoppage left no time for further improvements.
• Haas radio spat: Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman exchanged heated radio messages when Ocon felt his lap was compromised by catching his teammate through the Swimming Pool section. Bearman disagreed, creating a minor team tension.

What's next:

FP2 will give teams a chance to refine their setups ahead of Saturday’s qualifying, where grid position is everything. Leclerc carries momentum, but Hamilton and Verstappen are likely to close the gap. The red flag interruptions may have masked true race-pace runs, making the second session more revealing for long-run simulations.