The iconic streets of Monaco once again played host to thrilling Formula 1 action as drivers prepared for the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. Following a strong showing in the opening practice, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc reaffirmed his dominance in the second free practice session, securing the top spot. The session, a crucial period for teams to fine-tune their cars on the challenging street circuit, was marked by intense competition and a couple of red flag interruptions, underscoring the demanding nature of the Monegasque track. Leclerc’s consistent performance signals a strong weekend ahead for the local hero and his Ferrari team.
Session Dynamics and Early Pace: The second practice session commenced with immediate intensity, as teams and drivers wasted no time in pushing their machines to the limits on the tight and winding circuit. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and his teammate Lando Norris initially set the benchmark, demonstrating the strong pace of the McLaren package. However, their early advantage was quickly challenged by Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, who momentarily usurped their lead. The competitive atmosphere was palpable from the onset, with drivers vying for every tenth of a second on the unique Monaco layout.
Red Flags and Incidents: The session experienced its first halt at the 10-minute mark when Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar clipped the barrier at the Nouvelle Chicane. The incident resulted in a rear left puncture for the French rookie, forcing him to stop on track and bringing out the red flags. Despite the setback, Hadjar displayed resilience, managing to limp his car back to the pit lane for repairs and rejoining the session after a brief stoppage. Shortly after the resumption of green flag running, another red flag incident occurred, this time involving Oscar Piastri. The Australian went straight on at Sainte Devote, damaging his front wing. Similar to Hadjar, Piastri managed to guide his car back to the pits under caution, allowing his team to perform quick repairs and get him back out on track once the session recommenced. These incidents highlight the fine margins and unforgiving nature of the Monaco circuit, where even the slightest error can have significant consequences.
Tyre Strategies and Qualifying Simulations: As the session progressed, teams experimented with different tire compounds to gather crucial data for qualifying and the race. Initially, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton showcased competitive pace on the hard Pirelli rubber, trading leading lap times. This phase allowed teams to assess the durability and performance characteristics of the harder compounds. As the session entered its latter stages, the focus shifted towards qualifying simulations. Drivers began making the switch to the softer C6 Pirelli tires, known for their maximum grip and potential for fast lap times over a single lap. This transition marked a clear intent from teams to simulate qualifying conditions and extract the absolute maximum performance from their cars.
Leclerc’s Dominance and Top Performances: It was on the softer C6 Pirelli tires that Charles Leclerc truly shined, demonstrating exceptional car control and pace. The Ferrari driver initially posted a rapid lap of 1:11.414 before further improving to a 1:11.355 just past the halfway mark of the session. His performance was particularly impressive, showcasing his intimate knowledge of his home circuit and the capabilities of his Ferrari. While he might have gone even quicker after recording a personal best in the first sector, small fractions of time were lost across the remainder of the lap. Oscar Piastri came closest to challenging Leclerc’s supremacy, his lap of 1:11.393 placing him just 0.038 seconds behind the Monegasque. Lewis Hamilton in the other Ferrari also delivered a strong performance, securing third place with a lap of 1:11.460, just under seven hundredths slower than Piastri.
Midfield Surprises and Other Notable Laps: Beyond the top three, the session revealed strong performances from other teams and drivers. Lando Norris, Piastri’s McLaren teammate, secured a commendable fourth place, 0.322 seconds off Leclerc’s pace. A notable surprise came from Liam Lawson, who put his Racing Bulls car in an impressive fifth position with a lap of 1:11.823. His teammate, Isack Hadjar, also showed remarkable recovery after his early incident, finishing sixth, just two hundredths of a second behind Lawson. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin finished seventh, ahead of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. Championship leader Max Verstappen and Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda finished 10th and 11th respectively, suggesting they might have more pace to unlock as the weekend progresses.
Results of Free Practice 2:
- 1 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:11.355
- 2 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:11.393
- 3 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:11.460
- 4 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:11.677
- 5 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1:11.823
- 6 Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls/Honda RBPT 1:11.842
- 7 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:11.890
- 8 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:11.918
- 9 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:12.002
- 10 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:12.068
- 11 Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull/Honda RBPT 1:12.072
- 12 George Russell Mercedes 1:12.092
- 13 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:12.151
- 14 Gabriel Bortoleto Sauber/Ferrari 1:12.234
- 15 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:12.259
- 16 Nico Hülkenberg Sauber/Ferrari 1:12.262
- 17 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Renault 1:12.404
- 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Mercedes 1:12.512
- 19 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:12.541
- 20 Franco Colapinto Alpine/Renault 1:13.415
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on provisional practice results and observations from the event. Outcomes in motorsport can change rapidly, and actual race results may vary.
Source: FIA
AI Assistance: Gemini