Monaco GP FP1: Leclerc Leads, Verstappen Close Behind

Chloe Fitzgerald

4 min read

Post on May 26, 2025

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Leclerc's Dominant FP1 Performance

Charles Leclerc, driving for Ferrari, dominated the first practice session, leveraging his unparalleled knowledge of the Monaco circuit. His performance highlighted the significant advantage of home-track familiarity in this challenging environment.

• Fastest Lap Time and Margin: Leclerc posted the fastest lap time of the session, a blistering 1:12.227, edging out Verstappen by a significant margin of 0.2 seconds. This early lead is a strong indication of Ferrari's potential pace this weekend.
• Key Sectors Where Leclerc Excelled: Leclerc’s prowess was particularly evident in Sectors 1 and 3, showcasing exceptional precision through the tight corners and his mastery of the car's handling characteristics on the demanding Monaco track. His smooth driving style translated to consistent lap times.
• Ferrari's Car Setup: The Ferrari seemed well-suited to the Monaco track's unique demands, demonstrating excellent downforce and stability in the slow-speed corners. This suggests that Ferrari has tailored their car setup effectively for this specific circuit.
• Leclerc's Quotes: "It felt good to be back out on track in Monaco," Leclerc commented after the session. "The car felt good, and it's always special to drive here in front of the home crowd. We'll see what we can do in qualifying and the race."

Verstappen's Strong Showing Despite Track Challenges

Despite the notorious challenges of the Monaco track, Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, showcased his exceptional driving skill and delivered a strong performance, placing him firmly in contention for pole position and the race win.

• Verstappen's Fastest Lap Time and Comparison to Leclerc: Verstappen's fastest lap was only 0.2 seconds slower than Leclerc's, demonstrating the incredibly close competition between the two top drivers.
• Areas Where Verstappen Struggled and Excelled: While Verstappen seemed slightly less comfortable in certain slower corners compared to Leclerc, he exhibited superior speed on some of the faster sections, suggesting that the Red Bull may have a slight advantage in top speed.
• Red Bull's Car Setup: The Red Bull RB19 appeared competitive, although perhaps lacking the same level of low-speed cornering stability as the Ferrari. Fine-tuning the setup will be critical for Red Bull before qualifying.
• Verstappen's Comments: Verstappen remained cautiously optimistic after FP1, noting the challenges of the Monaco track and highlighting the need for a clean qualifying lap to secure a strong starting position.

Other Notable Performances and Surprises in FP1

Beyond the dominant performances of Leclerc and Verstappen, other drivers and teams showcased notable performances and unexpected surprises in FP1.

• Hamilton and Perez: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Sergio Perez (Red Bull) placed within the top 5, indicating a strong midfield battle is on the cards. However, both seemed slightly behind the pace of the top two.
• Alpine and McLaren: Alpine and McLaren showed promising pace, suggesting that the midfield battle will be intensely fought in this year's Monaco GP.
• Notable Incidents: There were a few minor off-track excursions but nothing major to disrupt the session's flow, suggesting drivers are exercising caution on this unforgiving circuit.
• Unexpected Performance Differences: Some teams that were anticipated to be stronger seemed to struggle more than expected, indicating the complexities of the Monaco circuit and the unique challenges it poses for different car setups.

Predictions for Qualifying and the Race Based on FP1

Based on the FP1 results, the Monaco GP looks set to be a thrilling showdown between Leclerc and Verstappen.

• Prediction for Pole Position: Leclerc's home-track advantage and his dominant performance in FP1 suggest that he is the favourite for pole position, although Verstappen will undoubtedly be pushing hard to challenge him.
• Prediction for Race Winner: The race winner will likely come from Leclerc and Verstappen. Tire strategy, the notoriously difficult overtaking opportunities, and any potential safety car periods could significantly influence the outcome.
• Potential Overtaking Opportunities: Overtaking is notoriously difficult in Monaco, making qualifying even more critical. The only real opportunities will likely be into turn 1 and potentially under braking for the tunnel.

Conclusion

FP1 at the Monaco Grand Prix provided a tantalizing glimpse into the weekend's potential battles, with Leclerc showing early dominance at his home race, closely pursued by Verstappen. The session highlighted the challenges and nuances of the Monaco track, setting the stage for an exciting qualifying session and race. The midfield battle also looks set to be intense, with several teams vying for strong positions.

Call to Action: Stay tuned for further updates as we move towards qualifying and the Monaco GP. Keep checking back for more analysis and insights on the Monaco Grand Prix and follow our coverage for all the latest from the thrilling Formula 1 season! Don't miss the next practice session and the crucial qualifying for the Monaco GP!