Leclerc Tops Monaco GP Practice After Incident with Stroll

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari's home hero, emerged as the fastest in the first practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix despite an early collision with Aston Martin's Lance Stroll. The incident occurred at the hairpin, leading to a brief red flag period and a one-place grid penalty for Stroll.

Leclerc, who won last year's race from pole position, set a blistering time of 1:11.964, outpacing Red Bull's Max Verstappen by 0.163 seconds. McLaren's Lando Norris secured third place, while championship leader Oscar Piastri finished fifth on medium tyres.

Ferrari's Strong Performance

Leclerc's teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, initially led the session but dropped to ninth after an incident at the swimming pool exit. Mercedes' George Russell and Williams' Alex Albon also showed competitive pace, finishing sixth and seventh, respectively.

Stroll's Penalty and Ferrari's Recovery

Stewards found Stroll wholly responsible for the collision, citing his failure to yield to Leclerc's path. Despite the setback, Ferrari quickly replaced Leclerc's damaged front wing, allowing him to continue and dominate the session.

Leclerc's Optimism

Leclerc, who has started on pole in three of the last four Monaco races, expressed cautious optimism about Ferrari's chances. While the team has struggled with single-lap pace this season, Monaco's unique layout offers an opportunity to maximize performance without compromising straight-line speed.

Key Takeaways

• Leclerc's Time: 1:11.964, fastest in FP1.
• Stroll's Penalty: One-place grid drop for causing the collision.
• Ferrari's Strategy: Quick recovery and strong setup for Monaco's twisty circuit.

Monaco's challenging street circuit continues to test drivers and teams, with Leclerc and Ferrari emerging as early favorites for the weekend.