The opening day of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix delivered a blend of high drama, unexpected performances, and a dominant display from local hero Charles Leclerc. As drivers navigated the tight confines of Monte Carlo, multiple red flags disrupted both practice sessions, setting the stage for a thrilling qualifying day ahead.
FP1: Leclerc Leads Despite Early Collision
Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets in Free Practice 1 with a lap time of 1:11.964, despite an early incident that brought out a red flag. Just under ten minutes into the session, Leclerc collided with Lance Stroll at the Loews Hairpin. Stroll moved back onto the racing line as Leclerc approached on a hot lap, resulting in contact that damaged Leclerc’s front wing and Stroll’s rear suspension. Both drivers managed to return to the pits, and Leclerc’s Ferrari was quickly repaired, allowing him to continue and set the fastest time.
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris completed the top three, with lap times of 1:12.127 and 1:12.290, respectively. Notably, Alexander Albon impressed by securing fourth place, just 0.350 seconds off Leclerc’s pace. Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader, finished fifth, albeit on medium tyres.
FP2: Leclerc Maintains Dominance Amidst Red Flags
In the second practice session, Leclerc continued his strong performance, setting a best time of 1:11.355. Oscar Piastri was a close second, just 0.038 seconds behind, while Lewis Hamilton secured third place with a time of 1:11.460.
The session was marred by two red flags. First, Isack Hadjar clipped the barriers at the Nouvelle Chicane, damaging his tyre. Shortly after, Piastri crashed at Sainte Devote, destroying his front wing. Despite these incidents, both drivers managed to return to the pits without significant issues.
Liam Lawson and Hadjar delivered surprising performances, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively. Fernando Alonso and Alex Albon also showed competitive pace, securing seventh and eighth positions. Max Verstappen, however, struggled to find rhythm, ending the session in tenth place.
Stroll Penalized for FP1 Collision
Following the FP1 incident, Lance Stroll received a one-place grid penalty for causing a collision with Leclerc. The stewards deemed Stroll “wholly to blame” for the crash, noting that he failed to heed a warning about Leclerc’s approach. This penalty could prove costly for Stroll, especially on a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult.
Looking Ahead to Qualifying
As the teams prepare for qualifying, Ferrari appears strong with Leclerc leading both sessions. McLaren and Red Bull also show competitive pace, while the disruptions in practice highlight the challenges of the Monaco circuit. With the new mandatory two-stop rule in place, strategy will play a crucial role in the race outcome.
Qualifying is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, at 16:00 local time. With the tight margins observed in practice, fans can anticipate an exciting battle for pole position on the streets of Monte Carlo.
