Formula 1 has arrived at the glamorous and nerve-wracking streets of Monte Carlo for the renowned Monaco Grand Prix. This opening practice session, often a precursor for what the weekend holds, did not disappoint with its fair share of drama and unexpected turns.
After Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched a hard-fought victory in Imola, narrowly fending off McLaren's Lando Norris, all eyes were on who would dominate the serpentine circuit of Monaco. As it turns out, the FP1 session became a stage for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to shine—at least for the time being.
Hamilton clocked in the fastest time of the session, catapulting to the top of the leaderboard on soft tyres just before the red flags were waved. The culprit? Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu, who spectacularly hit the wall at the notorious Sainte Devote corner, causing significant disruption.
Mercedes Back in the Game?
This FP1 session is a promising start for Mercedes. Hamilton’s performance hints that the team might be finding its footing after grappling with issues in the early part of the season. George Russell also impressed, making it a strong showing for the Silver Arrows.
Meanwhile, the drama didn’t end with Zhou’s abrupt introduction to the Monaco barriers. Reigning champion Max Verstappen had a less-than-perfect session, scraping the barriers multiple times as he wrestled with his car’s balance. Verstappen only managed his fastest laps on medium tyres, leaving fans speculating on what he could unleash on softer compounds.
Ferrari’s Silent Practice
Ferrari played their cards close to their chest during FP1. Both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz ran on medium tyres, not looking to ruffle any feathers just yet. The team will likely aim to dial in their settings during the next sessions as they hunt for a triumphant home race for Leclerc.
As always, the Monaco Grand Prix promises not just a race, but a spectacle. Each lap around its tight corners and unforgiving walls is a test of precision and nerve, and FP1 just gave us a taste of what’s to come. Watch the intense action from FP1 in Monaco via the video player above and stay tuned for more updates as the weekend unfolds.