The atmosphere in Monaco was electric as the final practice session for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix commenced, with teams and drivers pushing the limits to fine-tune their setups for the challenging street circuit. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc emerged as the dominant force, securing the top spot in what became a compelling preview of the intense qualifying battle ahead. However, the session concluded prematurely with a dramatic incident involving his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, highlighting the ever-present risks of racing on the narrow Monte Carlo streets. The final hour of practice provided valuable insights into car performance and driver confidence, setting the stage for a thrilling qualifying session.
Early Session Dynamics and Initial Pacesetters: The session began with a cautious approach from many front-runners, who initially opted to remain in the pit lane. This allowed some unexpected names to feature at the top of the early timings. Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg was the first to set a competitive pace, laying down a lap of 1:13.916 as the first quarter of an hour elapsed. This initial period saw a gradual build-up of activity, with teams carefully evaluating tire performance and track evolution on the notoriously unforgiving circuit. Drivers systematically worked through their planned programs, gathering crucial data on grip levels and car balance in preparation for the critical qualifying segment.
Leclerc’s Ascent to the Top: As the session progressed, the usual suspects began to assert their dominance. Lewis Hamilton and McLaren’s Lando Norris each had brief stints at the top of the leaderboard, showcasing their individual car’s potential. However, it was Charles Leclerc who truly began to show his hand, first posting a commanding 1:12.712 to claim the provisional top spot. While Norris briefly reclaimed P1 with a 1:12.347, Leclerc swiftly responded, finding even more time to post a 1:12.199, demonstrating his strong command over the challenging Monaco circuit and Ferrari’s competitive package. His ability to consistently extract pace underscored his comfort and confidence in the car.
Verstappen’s Medium Tire Strategy: Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen adopted a slightly different strategy early on, circulating primarily on Medium tires. After preparing his tires, the Dutchman unleashed an impressive lap of 1:11.961, momentarily taking P1. This performance on the Medium compound signalled that the red-banded C6 Soft tires might not be the sole route to a strong grid position in qualifying, suggesting strategic flexibility. Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, also demonstrated strong pace on Medium tires, posting a 1:12.056. Verstappen continued to push, further lowering his best time on Mediums to an impressive 1:11.653, highlighting the competitive edge of the Red Bull package even on a harder compound.
Soft Tire Struggles and Leclerc’s Mastery: While many drivers, including Verstappen, struggled to extract more pace from the C6 Soft tires after switching to them, Charles Leclerc appeared to master the compound. The Monegasque driver showed exceptional skill in switching on the Softs, consistently finding improvements across the challenging circuit. He climbed to the top of the timesheet with a 1:11.532s, moving ahead of Verstappen, who then improved his Medium tire time to 1:11.233s. Verstappen’s subsequent attempts on Soft tires, however, did not yield further improvements, leaving his Medium tire time as his best. This scenario was replicated across the paddock, with teams and drivers grappling with the optimal way to utilize the Soft compound on the unique Monaco layout.
Final Minutes and Hamilton’s Incident: In the closing stages of the session, only Leclerc managed to find consistent improvements on the Soft tires. He first posted a 1:11.179, and then, in the final moments, cemented his P1 position with an outstanding lap of 1:10.953, showcasing his absolute dominance. Lando Norris secured third for McLaren with a 1:11.247, just ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri. Lewis Hamilton, despite setting the fifth fastest time, encountered trouble in the final minute of the session. The seven-time champion made contact with the barriers in Turn 4, causing significant damage to the right side of his Ferrari. The incident immediately prompted a red flag, bringing the session to a premature and dramatic end, with no time left for any further running.
Top Ten Overview: Behind the leading trio of Leclerc, Verstappen, and Norris, the top ten was rounded out by a mix of established names and promising talents. Oscar Piastri secured fourth place for McLaren, closely followed by Lewis Hamilton in fifth before his crash. Alex Albon demonstrated strong pace for Williams, claiming sixth position, ahead of Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson. Carlos Sainz, in the second Williams, finished eighth. Yuki Tsunoda, who eventually found an improvement on Soft tires, secured ninth for Red Bull, while Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli completed the top ten, showing promising performance for his team. The varied tire strategies and the final incident underscored the unpredictable nature of Monaco practice.
Results:
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 1:10.953 (25 laps)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Honda RBPT): 1:11.233 (23 laps)
- Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes): 1:11.247 (23 laps)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes): 1:11.398 (21 laps)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 1:11.516 (26 laps)
- Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes): 1:11.668 (24 laps)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT): 1:11.814 (33 laps)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes): 1:11.893 (24 laps)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull/Honda RBPT): 1:11.952 (21 laps)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 1:12.013 (23 laps)
Disclaimer: This article provides a general overview based on reported session data. Race conditions and outcomes can vary. Always refer to official sources for precise results and information.
Source: FIA
AI Assistance: Gemini