Ferrari experiences a shocking turn of events: Leclerc takes the lead at home, with Piastri barely trailing behind.
Monaco Grand Prix Practice Sessions: Leclerc Sets Pace Ahead of Piastri and Hamilton
Monaco - Charles Leclerc, the winner of last year's Monaco Grand Prix, set the fastest time in the first practice session of the 2025 event, despite an early accident. The Ferrari driver recorded a time of 1:11.355 minutes, narrowly ahead of championship leader Oscar Piastri in his McLaren, who trailed by just 0.038 seconds. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton completed the top three, racing the second Ferrari.
Reigning champion Max Verstappen faced issues in his Red Bull and placed tenth, while German Nico Hülkenberg, racing for the Kick Sauber team in his adopted home, finished in 16th place.
The 27-year-old Leclerc, who has secured the first starting position three times in his home race, is now a strong candidate for pole position in Saturday's qualifying session. His performance on the narrow and winding Monaco track, where overtaking is almost impossible, promises a fierce competition for the coveted pole position.
The practice sessions were interrupted several times. French Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar hit the track barrier with his rear end, causing the first halt. A subsequent session was also halted, and an initial practice session was stopped due to a collision between Leclerc and Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, necessitating track cleaning. Stroll was penalized with a grid drop for causing the crash, which will push him to a less desirable starting position in the Grand Prix.
After an incident with the guardrail, Piastri returned to the McLaren garage to assess the damage before resuming his practice session. As of the current standings, Piastri leads the championship standings with a 13-point lead over teammate Lando Norris, with Verstappen trailing by 22 points. The Dutchman has already won in Monaco in both 2021 and 2023.
Meanwhile, in Hamm, city news focuses on the Spring Regatta on the Canal, flood protection measures for the future, and potential changes in the Council's party structure. Details about these developments can be found in our dedicated Hamm news section.
The competition for the pole position in Saturday's qualifying session is expected to be intense, with Charles Leclerc leading the pack after setting the fastest time in racing at Monaco's Grand Prix practice sessions. Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts in Hamm are eagerly awaiting the Spring Regatta on the Canal, as the city council discusses potential changes in its party structure and plans for future flood protection measures.
