In a thrilling start to this year’s Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Charles Leclerc delighted his home crowd by claiming the fastest time in the first practice session. The picturesque Monte Carlo circuit witnessed Leclerc setting a blistering pace, reinforcing his prowess on this iconic track.
Leclerc clocked an impressive 1:11.964, distancing himself by 0.163 seconds from Max Verstappen, the Red Bull ace and reigning World Champion. Verstappen, fresh from his victory at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, had to settle for the second spot in this session, giving a clear indication of the competitive spirit simmering between these two champions.
Lando Norris from McLaren followed closely in third. He showed commendable form coming off a strong performance, and his teammate, Oscar Piastri, who leads in the World Championship standings, secured fifth place. Sandwiched between the McLarens was Williams driver Alex Albon, who has been displaying consistent form, adding a fourth-place achievement to his season’s tally.
George Russell, driving for Mercedes, took sixth place, highlighting the fierce mid-field competition. As the session progressed, Carlos Sainz from Williams claimed the seventh spot, narrowly ahead of Pierre Gasly in the Alpine. A notable moment was Lewis Hamilton’s close shave at the Swimming Pools section, where his vehicle momentarily took flight, yet he still managed to finish ninth.
Closing the top ten was Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. However, Alonso’s teammate, Lance Stroll, encountered misfortune after an early collision with Leclerc, leaving Stroll without a competitive time. This incident is under FIA investigation, potentially influencing the dynamics of team strategies as the weekend unfolds.
As the sun sets over Monte Carlo, the opening session of the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix sets a promising stage for the weekend ahead. With Leclerc at the helm and the rest of the pack eagerly chasing, racing fans can anticipate an exhilarating battle on this legendary circuit.
