Charles Leclerc set the pace in the opening practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix, navigating his home track with precision. Meanwhile, red flags disrupted the session due to incidents involving Alonso and Hadjar.
As the sixth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season unfolds in Monaco, Charles Leclerc took full advantage of his home turf to lead the first practice session. The Ferrari driver clocked a best time of 1m 13.978s, comfortably ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
The session wasn't without its challenges. Two red flags interrupted proceedings: one caused by Ayumu Hadjar after a collision at the Swimming Pool chicane, and another by Fernando Alonso, who managed to recover his car after clipping the barriers.
Racing Bulls had a mixed session, with Lawson under scrutiny after exiting the pit lane under a red light. Both Lawson and his teammate faced steering issues, adding to their woes.
Audi showed promise, with both drivers finishing in the top ten, a relief given their previous reliability issues. Meanwhile, McLaren's Zak Brown acknowledged the strong pace of the Ferraris, suggesting that a Mercedes-Ferrari battle could be on the cards.
With the session resuming briefly, drivers like Hulkenberg took the opportunity for practice starts, though the competitive running was effectively over. As the teams analyze data and prepare for the next practice, the stage is set for a thrilling weekend in Monaco.