Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Lewis Hamilton was fastest ahead of Charles Leclerc as Ferrari underlined their position as favorites to win the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hamilton beat Leclerc by 0.111s with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen but the Ferrari had a perfect Friday, going one-two in first practice.
The unique nature of the Monaco circuit, which has several slow- and medium-speed corners, suits the characteristics of Ferrari’s cars, meaning Hamilton and Leclerc have a great chance of securing the team’s first Grand Prix win since October 2024.
Mercedes have won five races so far this season but George Russell, who is 43 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, was 0.379s behind Hamilton.
Antonelli was half a second behind, so Mercedes could struggle to get on the podium if they can’t qualify at the front, as overtaking will be challenging in Sunday’s race.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
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 possible battery problem, the same problem 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 show much competition, either in seventh place, behind Issac Hajjar, who crashed at the start of the first practice session.
Audi finished eighth in Monaco with Nico Hulkenberg and ninth with Gabriel Bortoletto, so the Australian will be aiming to score points for the first time since the start of the season at the Grand Prix.
Cadillac’s Sergio Perez produced the only red flag of the session when his brakes caught fire with five minutes remaining.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Red Bull’s Issac Hazor is out of first practice after hitting the barrier at the Monaco GP
Can Ferrari convert speed into perfect results?
Although the cars are narrow this year, qualifying will largely dictate the outcome of Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix and everything points to a Ferrari front-row lockout.
The big question is whether it will be Hamilton or Leclerc on pole position. Leclerc was in control for most of the day but Hamilton and several tweaks to his garage-side setup paid off and he looked one with the car.
Ferrari’s main weakness in 2026 was the straights, but Monaco is the least power-sensitive circuit on the calendar.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Lewis Hamilton was full of praise for Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc
of Sky Sports F1 Bernie Collins said: “From our understanding, the Ferrari has a small turbo. It’s the first bit that starts spinning as you come out of the corner.
“Small turbos spin faster and they get up to speed faster. That’s why they have better starts. In slower corners, you go through a lot of that initial acceleration. That’s the Ferrari’s strength.”
Verstappen was Ferrari’s closest rival all day as he finished third in both sessions, making the most of Red Bull’s short-wheelbase car.
McLaren and Mercedes brought some unusual aerodynamic parts to Monaco to add downforce to their rear wings, but it didn’t translate into enough performance to beat Ferrari.
Sky Sports F1’s Monaco GP live schedule
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Martin Brundle guesses who said these iconic Monaco Grand Prix radio messages
Saturday 6th June
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: Monaco Grand Prix*
4pm: Monaco GP Reaction: Checkered flag*
*Also on Sky Sports main events
Watch the Monaco Grand Prix, the first of six races in eight weeks, on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime
