As red flags interrupt session
Charles Leclerc set the pace in opening practice for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, with the Monegasque posting a lap of 1:13.978 to top the timesheet 0.226s clear ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton to hand Ferrari a one-two at the start of a weekend on which the team has been tipped to be strong. Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull, just over half a second off the benchmark.
Homer hero Leclerc looked quick from the off, despite an early scare when he locked up on Hard tyres and ran into the escape road at Turn 5. The opening phase of the session was busy, with traffic immediately becoming a factor on the shortest layout of the season. Haas pair Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman were among those caught out as drivers struggled to find clear air, but Ferrari soon moved to the top of the order, Leclerc posting a 1:14.928 to lead Hamilton by 0.182s.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was third at that stage for Mercedes, 0.508s off the pace, while Verstappen reported that his tyres were “dead” as he sat almost nine tenths off the pace. As the session reached half distance, several teams switched to Medium tyres and lap times began to fall.
Antonelli was the first to dislodge Leclerc, improving to 1:14.537, with Mercedes team-mate George Russell moving up to third. Ferrari, however, remained in the garage as work continued on both cars, before the session was halted with 25 minutes remaining.
The red flag was triggered by Isack Hadjar, who lost control of his RB22 through the Turn 15-16 chicane, bouncing over the kerbs and into the barrier.
Running resumed with 15 minutes to go, and Ferrari returned on Medium tyres. Hamilton briefly went fastest with a 1:14.204, but Leclerc responded moments later to become the first driver into the 1:13s, sealing top spot with a 1:13.978.
A second late stoppage followed when Fernando Alonso struck the barrier at the chicane, leaving debris from his Aston Martin on track and effectively ending the session.
Behind Leclerc, Hamilton and Verstappen, Antonelli finished fourth, 0.559s off the pace, with Russell fifth. Lando Norris was sixth for McLaren ahead of Nico Hulkenberg’s Audi, Oscar Piastri, Gabriel Bortoleto and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
2026 FIA Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix – Free Practice 1
1 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:13.978 31 162.388
2 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:14.204 0.226 28 161.894
3 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:14.491 0.513 26 161.270
4 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:14.537 0.559 31 161.170
5 George Russell Mercedes 1:14.983 1.005 29 160.212
6 Lando Norris McLaren/Mercedes 1:15.291 1.313 27 159.556
7 Nico Hülkenberg Audi 1:15.343 1.365 27 159.446
8 Oscar Piastri McLaren/Mercedes 1:15.565 1.587 29 158.978
9 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:15.750 1.772 31 158.590
10 Pierre Gasly Alpine/Mercedes 1:15.828 1.850 32 158.426
11 Alexander Albon Williams/Mercedes 1:15.989 2.011 33 158.091
12 Carlos Sainz Williams/Mercedes 1:16.041 2.063 31 157.983
13 Isack Hadjar Red Bull/Red Bull Ford 1:16.148 2.170 14 157.761
14 Sergio Pérez Cadillac/Ferrari 1:16.170 2.192 28 157.715
15 Franco Colapinto Alpine/Mercedes 1:16.189 2.211 32 157.676
16 Oliver Bearman Haas/Ferrari 1:16.292 2.314 31 157.463
17 Esteban Ocon Haas/Ferrari 1:16.333 2.355 31 157.378
18 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:16.389 2.411 34 157.263
19 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford 1:16.431 2.453 31 157.177
20 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin/Honda 1:16.678 2.700 21 156.670
21 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac/Ferrari 1:17.460 3.482 27 155.089
22 Lance Stroll Aston Martin/Honda 1:17.556 3.578 16 154.897
