Monaco Grand Prix FP1 Report: Leclerc Sets the Pace
Monte Carlo, May 25, 2023 – Charles Leclerc led a competitive first free practice session for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, posting a fastest lap of 1:11.964. The Ferrari driver maintained his position at the top despite late challenges from reigning world champion Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Lando Norris, who rounded out the top three.
The session was briefly halted due to an incident involving Leclerc and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll. After contacting Stroll at the hairpin, Leclerc sustained damage to his front wing, while Stroll’s car was significantly affected, resulting in rear suspension and a gearbox change. Stroll reported via team radio that he did not hear his engineer’s warning about Leclerc approaching. Both drivers are now facing a stewards’ investigation into the incident.
Following the red flag, Lewis Hamilton initially took charge on medium tires before McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Norris ramped up the pace on softs. Norris clocked a time of 1:13.615, with Verstappen settling for third on hard tires early in the session.
As the session progressed, Leclerc managed to break the session’s early quietness with his benchmark time, while voicing concerns about his car’s balance. This performance has led to speculation that Ferrari might be more competitive in Monaco than initially feared.
In the final minutes, Verstappen pushed hard to secure second place, finishing just 0.163 seconds off Leclerc’s best time. Norris maintained his third position ahead of Williams’ Alex Albon and McLaren teammate Piastri. George Russell of Mercedes finished sixth, followed by Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly, Hamilton, and Fernando Alonso.
FP1 Results Summary
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:11.964
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:12.127
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:12.149
- Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:12.522
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:12.555
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:12.595
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) – 1:12.696
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:12.755
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) – 1:12.856
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:12.863
As teams prepare for subsequent sessions, the tight streets of Monaco promise further intrigue and challenges ahead. The next practice session will provide deeper insights into the competitive landscape as teams refine their setups for qualifying.
