Monaco GP 2024: You Won't Believe Who Topped the Charts in FP3
The third practice session for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix delivered juicy highlights. Charles Leclerc ignited the streets with a sensational time, registering a 1:11.369 in his Ferrari. Max Verstappen, never one to back down, showed up late with a fierce drive to secure second, just 0.197 seconds off Leclerc’s pace.
Lewis Hamilton flexed Mercedes’ muscles by finishing third, clocking in just under three and a half tenths behind the leader. His performance nudged McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who bagged the fourth spot and kept the heat on. Interestingly, Sergio Perez completed the top five, followed by another impressive performance from George Russell in his Mercedes, wrapping up sixth.
The Rivals’ Play
Carlos Sainz might have expected more but settled for seventh, lagging 0.610 seconds behind his Ferrari teammate Leclerc. McLaren’s Lando Norris, showing that Monaco’s narrow streets suit his style, finished eighth. Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso completed the top ten, both showing competitive form.
Crucial Late Moves
The latter part of FP3 redefined the standings. Verstappen’s late surge eradicated any complacency, and Hamilton's consistency remains formidable. Piastri and Perez, meanwhile, seem poised to disrupt the traditional frontrunners. George Russell’s tactical approach also consistently places him within contention, providing Mercedes a bright hope for more podium finishes.
Midfield Battle and Beyond
Down the order, the mid-pack hustle was just as intense. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly secured 11th, followed closely by Williams' Alex Albon in 12th. Haas duo Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen stayed close in 13th and 14th, respectively, while Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll managed 15th.
Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and Williams’ Logan Sargeant capped their practice sessions in 16th and 17th positions. Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo managed 18th, with a clear gap to Sauber’s Guanyu Zhou in 19th and Valtteri Bottas rounding out the standings.
Full FP3 Results at a Glance
| Position | Driver | Team | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:11.369 | 26 | |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:11.566 | 0.197 | 27 |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:11.710 | 0.341 | 25 |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:11.901 | 0.532 | 25 |
| 5 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 1:11.923 | 0.554 | 24 |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:11.968 | 0.599 | 33 |
| 7 | Carlos Sainz Jr | Ferrari | 1:11.979 | 0.610 | 26 |
| 8 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:11.988 | 0.619 | 24 |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | 1:11.991 | 0.622 | 27 |
| 10 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:12.087 | 0.718 | 25 |
| 11 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:12.144 | 0.775 | 26 |
| 12 | Alex Albon | Williams | 1:12.180 | 0.811 | 24 |
| 13 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | 1:12.192 | 0.823 | 24 |
| 14 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1:12.216 | 0.847 | 31 |
| 15 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:12.331 | 0.962 | 25 |
| 16 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1:12.472 | 1.103 | 25 |
| 17 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | 1:12.703 | 1.334 | 21 |
| 18 | Daniel Ricciardo | Red Bull | 1:12.829 | 1.460 | 28 |
| 19 | Guanyu Zhou | Sauber | 1:13.830 | 2.461 | 28 |
| 20 | Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | 2 |
Stay tuned for the thrilling developments as qualifying looms, surely promising more speed drama on the legendary streets of Monaco.