Leclerc leads Ferrari 1-2 in hectic Monaco FP1, Hadjar suffers heavy crash

Credit: Formula One

The European leg of the season is officially here, first taking to the historic streets of Monaco with Formula One returning to one of the three motorsport events that make up the famed Triple Crown.

The weekend kicked off with the news of home hero Charles Leclerc signing a multi-year contract extension with Ferrari, followed by the announcement that the Las Vegas Grand Prix, another venue known for its glitz and glamour, had secured a 10-year contract extension.

With cars taking to the track for the first time in Monaco in this new regulatory era, here’s how a frenetic FP1 panned out.

As it Happened

As soon as the cars, all on the hard compounds, trundled out of the pitlane for the first time this weekend, home hero Leclerc immediately had a deep moment into Mirabeau but quickly recovered.

Meanwhile, both Racing Bulls drivers came over the radio to express difficulty in turning through the hairpin. As the first benchmarks were set, Lewis Hamilton set a rapid 1:15.892, taking the head of the field from Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri.

Going 10 minutes into the session, Sergio Pérez managed to haul his Cadillac to fifth, the former Monaco race-winner clearly leaning on his experience around this famed circuit.

As the lap times tumbled, Isack Hadjar slotted in behind Verstappen, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s lap time was good enough for fourth. 

Meanwhile, it was drama between the Haas drivers as Esteban Ocon felt he was being held up by Oliver Bearman, while the British driver contended that he was the driver compromised with Ocon tailing him, plainly sharing his frustration over the radio.

Leclerc soon topped the time sheets, lowering the benchmark to 1:14.928, half a second ahead of Antonelli who had beaten Hamilton’s previous benchmark, the British driver now in third. Hamilton quickly reclaimed that spot, strongly indicating as predicted that Ferrari were legitimate contenders for the win on Sunday.

With 30 minutes remaining, title contender George Russell still hadn’t had a strong showing, parked in ninth while Antonelli occupied first place, setting a 1:14.537 to sail past the Ferrari pair.

Soon after, Hadjar, on a pair of new hard tyres, slammed his Red Bull into the barriers at the Swimming Pool chicane after a rear snap. With a car to recover, debris shattered all over the track, and a barrier needing repairs, the session was immediately halted with the red flag.

As the session resumed, the sole remaining Red Bull driver Verstappen was exasperated over the radio, stating: “Guys, please fix this ***** release, it doesn't ***** work.”

With under 10 minutes to go, Antonelli remained on top followed by Leclerc and Verstappen, the Dutchman having decent pace despite his complaints. Hamilton quickly bested the Italian teenager’s lap time, with Leclerc then immediately responding with a 1:13.978, taking him ahead of his teammate.

A second red flag halted the session as Fernando Alonso lost the rear at the tunnel exit, clipping his front wing and scattering debris on track. 

As the session sputtered out with that final red flag, it was a Ferrari 1-2 followed by Verstappen, Antonelli, Russell, Norris, Nico Hülkenberg, Piastri, Bortoleto and Gasly in the top 10.

Looking Ahead

Ferrari look well in form, as is their habit around Monaco, but the fight for the win will in no way be straightforward. Despite Antonelli and Russell's fourth and fifth place finishes respectively this session, Mercedes by default will be Ferrari's biggest obstacles for the win. The likes of Red Bull and McLaren have also shown flashes of pace in this session, with the upcoming two practice hours set to determine in what capacity they could be threats to the win as well.

It's shaping up to be an intensely competitive weekend in Monaco, and all eyes for now will be on Ferrari as they hope to carry their FP1 momentum into qualifying and the race.