Charles Leclerc. Photo supplied by Ferrari
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Formula1 News: Leclerc tops GP of Monaco Practice 1

Posted by AR1 staff

The winner of the 2024 GP of Monaco, Charles Leclerc, turned a lap of 1m11.964s to top opening practice for this year’s race in his #16 Ferrari.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

Despite running into the back of Moving Chicane Lance Stroll and breaking his front wing and floor, Leclerc recovered to lead the session, topping World Champion Max Verstappen’s Red Bull by 0.163s.

Lando Norris was third fastest for McLaren, 0.326s behind Leclerc.

Alex Albon was 4th fastest in the improving Williams, 0.350s behind Leclerc and ahead of many of the top teams.  What James Vowles has done to this team in a year is simply amazing.

Oscar Piastri rounded out the top-5, 0.378s behind, but he spent the last part of the session on race simulations with heavy fuel load.

Once again Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamiltn, was far behind in 9th, 0.726s behind his teammate.

Everyone out there suffered with traffic, drivers struggling to get out of the way, others oblivious as radio communication came through too late, and some just preparing their own laps to the cost of others.

And it is only going to get worse on that front when Qualifying rolls around.

Kimi Antonelli hit the wall late on, clipping it down at Turn 3 and limping back to the pits. Russell, Norris… Plenty of others also kissed the barriers.

Then there was Hamilton’s flight over the chicane curb, which came after he too brushed the barriers, sending him straight on over the apex and over the high sausage curbs.

2025 GP of Monaco Practice 1 Results

Pos No Nat. Driver Car Time Behind Laps
1 16 MON Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:11.964 +0.000s 33
2 1 NED Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT 1:12.127 +0.163s 30
3 4 GBR Lando Norris McLaren Mercedes 1:12.290 +0.326s 32
4 23 THA Alexander Albon Williams Mercedes 1:12.314 +0.350s 33
5 81 AUS Oscar Piastri McLaren Mercedes 1:12.342 +0.378s 28
6 63 GBR George Russell Mercedes 1:12.482 +0.518s 33
7 55 ESP Carlos Sainz Williams Mercedes 1:12.534 +0.570s 36
8 10 FRA Pierre Gasly Alpine Renault 1:12.669 +0.705s 29
9 44 GBR Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:12.690 +0.726s 30
10 14 ESP Fernando Alonso Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes 1:12.727 +0.763s 28
11 12 ITA Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:12.765 +0.801s 34
12 27 GER Nico Hulkenberg Kick Sauber Ferrari 1:12.979 +1.015s 30
13 6 FRA Isack Hadjar Racing Bulls Honda RBPT 1:13.187 +1.223s 35
14 22 JPN Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT 1:13.232 +1.268s 32
15 87 GBR Oliver Bearman Haas Ferrari 1:13.329 +1.365s 34
16 31 FRA Esteban Ocon Haas Ferrari 1:13.394 +1.430s 31
17 30 NZL Liam Lawson Racing Bulls Honda RBPT 1:13.429 +1.465s 37
18 5 BRA Gabriel Bortoleto Kick Sauber Ferrari 1:13.470 +1.506s 29
19 43 ARG Franco Colapinto Alpine Renault 1:13.820 +1.856s 32
20 18 CAN Lance Stroll Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes 1:15.635 +3.671s 4