The 2025 FIA Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix weekend roared to life with the first free practice session, setting a thrilling tone on the legendary streets of Monte Carlo. Local hero Charles Leclerc, driving for Ferrari, immediately established his presence, ultimately topping the timesheets in a session marked by strategic tire choices, evolving track conditions, and several dramatic moments. The unique challenges of the narrow, unforgiving street circuit were evident from the outset, pushing drivers and their machines to the absolute limit in pursuit of crucial early advantage. This initial session offered a compelling glimpse into the competitive landscape as teams began their crucial setup work for the highly anticipated race weekend.
Leclerc’s Commanding Pace: Charles Leclerc showcased his exceptional mastery of his home circuit, setting the fastest lap of 1:11.964 just past the halfway point of the one-hour session. Despite reporting some balance issues with his Ferrari, the Monegasque driver’s pace proved unassailable. While Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris mounted strong challenges in the closing minutes, their efforts were not enough to displace Leclerc from the top spot. Leclerc consistently demonstrated confidence and precision, maintaining control of the session’s pace right up until the chequered flag, underlining his formidable potential for the weekend ahead.
Early Session Drama: The practice session began with an unexpected incident that brought out the red flags barely nine minutes into the running. Charles Leclerc, navigating a slow section of the track, encountered Lance Stroll moving at reduced speed onto the racing line near the hairpin, after allowing another car to pass. With little room to react, Leclerc made contact with the rear of Stroll’s Aston Martin. While Leclerc’s Ferrari sustained a broken front wing, which was swiftly replaced, Stroll’s car required more extensive repairs, including a new rear suspension and a gearbox change. Both drivers were subsequently called to the stewards to provide their accounts of the incident.
Shifting Leads and Track Evolution: Following the restart of the session, the leaderboard saw a dynamic shift as drivers adapted to the improving track conditions. Lewis Hamilton, in the other Ferrari, initially set the pace on medium compound tires, demonstrating strong early form. As the session progressed, championship leader Oscar Piastri and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris began to push harder, with Norris briefly holding the fastest time at 1:13.615. Shortly after, Piastri edged out his teammate, going 0.005 seconds quicker with a lap of 1:13.031. However, it was Leclerc who then made his decisive move, establishing the benchmark at 1:11.964, a time that would ultimately stand as the fastest for the session.
Late Session Incidents: The closing stages of Free Practice 1 were punctuated by a series of minor incidents as drivers continued to push the boundaries of the unforgiving street circuit. Lando Norris, despite his strong performance, ran straight on at Sainte Devote, highlighting the fine margins on offer. Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar made light contact with the barriers in the challenging swimming pool section, a testament to the tricky nature of that complex. Lewis Hamilton also had a heart-stopping moment in the same section, misjudging the entry to the swimming pool chicane and briefly going airborne off the kerb on his left, a stark reminder of Monaco’s zero-tolerance policy for error.
Verstappen’s Strategic Push: Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, employed a somewhat contrasting strategy for much of the session, spending the majority of his running on the durable hard compound tires. This focused approach allowed him to gather crucial data on race pace. However, in the final portion of the hour, the Dutchman switched to a set of C6 soft tires, signaling his intent to challenge for the top times. He completed two rapid flying laps on the softer compound; his first effort was only good for seventh, but his second, a lap of 1:12.127, propelled him into second place, a mere 0.163 seconds behind Leclerc. His third and final attempt saw him consolidate this position, proving his ability to extract performance when it mattered.
Top Performers of FP1:
- 1st: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:11.964
- 2nd: Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Honda RBPT) – 1:12.127
- 3rd: Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes) – 1:12.290
- 4th: Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes) – 1:12.314
- 5th: Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes) – 1:12.342
- 6th: George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:12.482
- 7th: Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes) – 1:12.534
- 8th: Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Renault) – 1:12.669
- 9th: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:12.690
- 10th: Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Mercedes) – 1:12.727
Disclaimer: Motorsport events are dynamic and results are provisional. Information is provided for general understanding and may not reflect real-time updates.
Source: FIA
AI Assistance: Gemini