Monaco GP: Charles Leclerc quickest in Observe Two with Lewis Hamilton third as Ferrari impress | F1 Information
Charles Leclerc completed quickest and Lewis Hamilton was third as Ferrari set an eye catching tempo in Observe Two to cap a formidable Friday on the Monaco Grand Prix.
Regardless of Leclerc having confused on Thursday that Ferrari’s 2025 automotive was unlikely to be as suited to the low-speed twists and turns of Monaco as final yr’s, when he claimed pole and gained his residence race, the Monegasque nonetheless topped each of Friday’s observe periods.
Leclerc set a finest lap of 1:11.355 in a second session which featured two crimson flags for crashes to narrowly end forward of McLaren’s championship-leading Oscar Piastri and Ferrari team-mate Hamilton on the head of the timesheet.
“Ferrari are the massive story,” mentioned Sky Sports activities F1’s Karun Chandhok.
“This can be a very spectacular day contemplating the expectations coming in.”
A late quick lap noticed Piastri cut up the Ferraris, the Australian recovering effectively after a uncommon mistake noticed him run straight into the obstacles at Ste Dedicate, the long-lasting monitor’s opening nook.
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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri crashed into the wall because the crimson flag was issued for a second time throughout P2 in Monaco
The influence broke the entrance wing on Piastri’s automotive however he was capable of make it again to the pit lane and, following repairs, steadily moved his manner again up the timesheet to ultimately end simply 0.038s behind Leclerc.
Hamilton, a three-time winner in Monaco, was 0.105s behind Ferrari team-mate Leclerc in third to supply hope of his best weekend but on the Scuderia.
Lando Norris was fourth within the second McLaren, forward of the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar who each completed within the prime six. Hadjar was sixth regardless of twice hitting Monaco’s omnipresent obstacles, first on the harbourside chicane after which Ste Dedicate.
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David Croft and Karun Chandhok had been left shocked after the marshals did not flinch when Isack Hadjar slammed into the obstacles proper subsequent to them throughout P2 of the Monaco GP
However the senior Crimson Bull crew skilled one other tough Friday, ending down the timesheet.
World champion and Imola victor Max Verstappen was solely tenth, only one place and one tenth forward of team-mate Yuki Tsunoda. The Dutchman was considered one of many drivers to be pissed off by site visitors round Monaco’s tight confines after a number of near-misses with slower-running vehicles, and had a late off-track second himself into the Ste Dedicate run-off.
“Monaco is all the time fairly tough with site visitors however two occasions right this moment it was fairly harmful – in FP1 then one time in FP2 – which isn’t best,” mentioned Verstappen.
“I do know it is observe however it may have been fairly a giant crash in the event you do not again out of it shortly or learn the state of affairs however fortunately all the pieces went effectively.”
Mercedes additionally appeared to battle, ending ninth and twelfth with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, respectively.
Fernando Alonso was seventh for Aston Martin, with Alex Albon eighth within the lead Williams.
Are Ferrari the true deal in Monaco once more?
Though Leclerc might have been eager to minimize his probabilities of back-to-back residence wins residence wins in a season the place Ferrari have flattered to deceive, the Friday timesheets actually appeared to emphatically belie fairly that degree of pessimism – even when questions stay about whether or not they may stay the outright quickest automotive come qualifying.
Sky Sports activities F1’s Jenson Button mentioned: “Wanting on the pace traces and the sectors the place they’re fast, I feel they may be operating a bit of extra energy right this moment in comparison with others.
“However nonetheless, the automotive appears good out on monitor and they can get their entrance tyre working, which is the important thing factor.”
Verstappen additionally recommended: “Ferrari once more look very quick.
“McLaren had been shut behind however over the entire season, the tempo, Ferrari have taken a giant step ahead right here.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Monaco GP schedule
Saturday Might 24
9.40am: F3 Dash
11.15am: Monaco GP Observe Three (session begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Dash
2.10pm: Monaco GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: MONACO GP QUALIFYING
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
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Look again at among the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday Might 25
6.55am: F3 Function Race
8.35am: F2 Function Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Monaco GP build-up*
2pm: The MONACO GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Monaco GP response
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
5.30pm: The Indy 500
*additionally stay on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion
Subsequent up in F1’s European triple-header is the ‘Jewel within the Crown’, the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, with protection beginning on Friday stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
