Leclerc fastest in Free Practice 1 at Monaco with a 1:11.964. Verstappen trails by just a tenth, Norris third at three-tenths. Piastri fifth behind Albon, Hamilton only ninth
The eighth round of the 2025 Formula 1 season is underway on the iconic streets of Monte Carlo. Following Verstappen’s impressive win in Imola, McLaren looks to bounce back with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Ferrari’s role uncertain, Mercedes as the outsider. Despite a season of underwhelming results, local hero Charles Leclerc is aiming for glory on home turf—a weekend where qualifying will be more crucial than ever. Notably, this is the first time in Monaco that two mandatory pit stops will be trialed during the race.
Session Report
14:30- Leclerc tops the timesheets with a 1:11.964. Verstappen finishes second, 0.163s behind, Norris third at three-tenths. Albon takes a surprising fourth ahead of Piastri. Hamilton ends up ninth.
14:24- Verstappen improves. The Red Bull driver jumps to second on the red compound, closing the gap to within two-tenths of Leclerc
14:15- Current Standings:
Leclerc leads, followed by Norris and Piastri. Strong performance by Williams in fourth and fifth. Hamilton sixth, while Verstappen sits in twelth
14:07- Ferrari Back on Top:
Leclerc clocks the fastest lap (1:11.964). Norris, despite an error at Turn 1, holds second. Leclerc, however, complains over team radio about oversteer in left-hand corners and understeer in right-handers.
14:03- Mercedes Struggling:
Russell only seventh, rookie Antonelli down in sixteenth
13:57- Hamilton Responds on Mediums:
After Leclerc posts a lap on softs, Hamilton sets a 1:12.290 on the yellow compound—just ahead of Leclerc. Norris, on reds, still holds an edge
13:52- McLaren Leads Early Push:
Norris and Piastri go 1-2 for McLaren on the C6 softs. Leclerc third on the same compound. Verstappen on hards, Hamilton on mediums
13:46- Green Flag:
Session resumes after an interruption
13:42- Red Flag Drama: Leclerc crashes into a slow-moving Stroll at the Casino corner. Fortunately, only front wing damage for the Monegasque. Stroll later admits he didn’t hear the call from the pit wall.
13:38- Leclerc’s Front Wing Broken:
Leclerc limps back to the pits with a damaged front wing, no further major consequences
13:32- Early Off for Leclerc: The Ferrari driver goes deep at Mirabeau on the yellow tire. Meanwhile, McLaren runs on reds
13:30- GREEN FLAG! The session starts!
Photo: Scuderia Ferrari HP, Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team
