Team Insights from Friday Practice at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix

Ferrari

Ferrari's duo, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, started the Monaco weekend aggressively, with both drivers pushing the limits and even flirting with the barriers. Leclerc topped the first practice session, but Hamilton outpaced him in FP2 by a narrow margin of 0.111 seconds, setting the stage for a potential intra-team duel for pole position.

Leclerc remarked on the tricky nature of the day, particularly with brake balance, but remained optimistic about qualifying. Hamilton echoed this sentiment, praising the car's performance and emphasizing the importance of fine-tuning ahead of the critical sessions.

Mercedes

Mercedes had a mixed start in Monaco. Kimi Antonelli initially outpaced teammate George Russell in FP1, but Russell reversed the trend in FP2. Despite improvements, both drivers acknowledged the need for significant overnight work to challenge Ferrari and Red Bull.

Russell noted the challenging nature of the weekend, with the team needing to find more pace, while Antonelli focused on addressing issues in the middle sector of the track. Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin shared cautious optimism, acknowledging the need to boost single-lap performance.

McLaren

Celebrating their 1000th Grand Prix, McLaren's Friday was less than ideal. Lando Norris faced early retirement in FP2 due to a suspected battery issue, leaving him with limited track time. Oscar Piastri had his share of woes, hitting the walls and struggling to match the pace of the front runners.

Norris and Piastri both acknowledged the need for improvements, with Chief Technical Officer Rob Marshall highlighting challenges in tyre temperature and setup that need addressing before qualifying.

Audi

Audi showed strong form, with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto both finishing in the top 10 in both practice sessions. Hulkenberg used his experience to edge out his teammate, but Bortoleto closed the gap in FP2, indicating a tight battle within the team for a Q3 spot.

Alpine

Alpine had a steady start, with Pierre Gasly finishing in the top 10. Franco Colapinto hit the barriers in FP2 but avoided major damage. Both drivers recognized the need for further improvements to be competitive in qualifying.

Steve Nielsen, Alpine's Managing Director, expressed dissatisfaction with their current pace but remained hopeful for better performance in the coming sessions.

Haas

Haas had an eventful Friday, with Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman involved in some on-track squabbles. Bearman found a setup he liked in FP2, while Ocon struggled with a steering issue. Team Principal Ayao Komatsu focused on resolving these issues overnight.

Williams

Williams showed potential, with Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz close to the top 10. Both drivers highlighted the challenges of traffic and the importance of getting the car into a good window for qualifying.

Racing Bulls

Racing Bulls had a challenging day, with Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson both facing steering issues. Team Principal Alan Permane remained confident in finding improvements overnight to aim for a Q3 finish.

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso had a rough start, bringing out the red flags after a mishap in the tunnel. Lance Stroll also faced reliability issues. Team Ambassador Pedro de la Rosa acknowledged the challenges but focused on making overnight improvements.

Cadillac

Cadillac's Sergio Perez showed promise in FP1 but suffered a brake fire in FP2, cutting his session short. Valtteri Bottas struggled with car setup but remained optimistic about overnight improvements.

Pirelli

Pirelli noted that most teams began with the Hard compound to assess track conditions. They anticipate a one-stop strategy, with the Soft compound being crucial for qualifying. Managing traffic will be essential, given the crowded track conditions.

Overall, Friday in Monaco presented a mixed bag for teams, with Ferrari and Red Bull showing competitive promise while others, like McLaren and Mercedes, faced challenges. The stage is set for an intriguing qualifying session as teams work overnight to find those crucial tenths.