Ferrari dominate FP1 in Monaco: Leclerc leads after two red flags

The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix weekend began in typically dramatic fashion, with a disrupted but revealing Practice 1 session around the iconic Circuit de Monaco. Under warm, sunny conditions, FP1 delivered red flags, close calls with the barriers, and a clear early message: Ferrari have arrived in the Principality in formidable shape.

Ferrari Set the Early Pace at Home

Charles Leclerc wasted little time reminding everyone why Monaco is his territory. Despite clipping the barriers early on and surviving a few heart-in-mouth moments at the Swimming Pool and Antony Noghes, the Monegasque put together a stunning lap of 1:13.978 on the medium tyres to top the session. It was a confident, committed effort that underlined Ferrari’s strength on a circuit where mechanical grip and driver bravery outweigh outright power.

Lewis Hamilton completed a Ferrari one-two, just 0.226s adrift, looking increasingly comfortable as the session evolved. The seven-time world champion topped the times earlier on hard tyres and carried that momentum into the medium-tyre runs, giving Ferrari a perfect start to a weekend where expectations are already high following Leclerc’s recent contract extension.

Red Flags and Close Calls Disrupt FP1

Practice was far from clean. Two red flags interrupted the rhythm of the session, first for Isack Hadjar and later for Fernando Alonso. Hadjar’s crash at the Swimming Pool was an unusual one, with the Red Bull Racing driver losing the rear before the corner and sliding into the barriers front-on. Thankfully, he walked away unhurt, though his running was effectively over.

Alonso’s incident came later, as the Aston Martin snapped sideways on the exit of the tunnel. The Spaniard did well to avoid a heavier impact but still clipped the barriers, shedding part of his front wing and triggering another stoppage. With limited green-flag running late on, several drivers were left frustrated at the lack of clean laps.

Verstappen and Mercedes Lurking Close Behind

Max Verstappen ended FP1 in third, 0.513s off Leclerc, though his session was far from smooth. Radio frustration over car release issues and a lack of confidence on early runs suggested Red Bull still have work to do to unlock performance here.

Mercedes, meanwhile, looked quietly encouraged. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli finished fourth, just ahead of George Russell, and appeared increasingly comfortable as track conditions improved. Antonelli briefly topped the session on mediums and looked composed throughout, a stark contrast to his difficult Monaco weekend last year.

Audi Impress, McLaren Searching for Answers

One of the standout stories of FP1 was Audi’s performance. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto finished seventh and ninth respectively, both inside the top ten and, crucially, without any reliability concerns. After a tricky start to the season, this was a very solid opening statement in Monaco.

McLaren, by contrast, left some performance on the table. Lando Norris was sixth and Oscar Piastri eighth, both hampered by traffic and the red flags. Team boss Zak Brown admitted the Ferraris looked strong, noting that while McLaren expect to be competitive, there is still lap time to find.

Incidents, Investigations, and Work to Do

Elsewhere, Racing Bulls endured a messy session. Liam Lawson clipped the barriers, was involved in an impeding incident, and is under investigation for leaving the pit lane on a red light. Both Lawson and Arvid Lindblad reported steering issues, leaving the team with plenty to analyse overnight.

Haas also had a tense FP1, with radio exchanges between Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman highlighting frustration over traffic and compromised laps.

Early Verdict from FP1 in Monaco

While Practice 1 at Monaco always comes with caveats, Ferrari’s one-two is impossible to ignore. Leclerc looks at ease on home soil, Hamilton is firmly in the mix, and rivals are already chasing. With qualifying set to be decisive once again in the Principality, FP1 has laid the groundwork for a fascinating weekend ahead.