Lewis Hamilton was fastest from Charles Leclerc as Ferrari underlined their status as favourites for victory at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hamilton beat Leclerc by 0.111s with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen only 0.168s off the pace but Ferrari had a perfect Friday, having also had a one-two in first practice.
The unique nature of the Monaco circuit, which features several slow and medium speed corners, suit the characteristics of Ferrari’s car which means Hamilton and Leclerc have a big opportunity to earn the team’s first Grand Prix victory since October 2024.
Mercedes have won all five races so far this season but George Russell, who is 43 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, was 0.379s adrift of Hamilton.
Antonelli was half a second behind, so it could be a fight for Mercedes to get onto the podium if they are unable to qualify towards the front, given overtaking will be challenging in Sunday’s race.
Sky Sports F1’s Bernie Collins takes a closer look at McLaren and Mercedes’ new rear wings ahead of the Monaco GP
Lando Norris suffered a potential battery problem, the same issue that led to Russell’s retirement at the Canadian Grand Prix, and lost 45 minutes of crucial track time.
His team-mate Oscar Piastri did not look too competitive, either, in seventh, behind Isack Hadjar who crashed early in first practice.
Cadillac’s Sergio Perez caused the only red flag of the session when his brakes caught fire with five minutes remaining.
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar is out early in first practice after hitting the barrier at the Monaco GP
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Monaco GP live schedule
Martin Brundle guesses who said these iconic Monaco Grand Prix radio messages
Saturday June 6
9.40am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Monaco GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.15pm: Monaco GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: MONACO GP QUALIFYING*
Sunday June 7
6.50am: F3 Feature Race
8.30am: F2 Feature Race
10.50am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Monaco GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2pm: THE MONACO GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Monaco GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Watch the Monaco Grand Prix, the first of six races in eight weeks, live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
