Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the best time in the first free practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix, Friday April 24. The seven-time world champion dominated Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and his teammate and compatriot, George Russell. Another Briton, Lando Norris, took 4e time at the wheel of the second McLaren on the grid repainted in the colors of the Brazilian flag in homage to the legend Ayrton Senna, who died 30 years ago on the Imola circuit.
A red flag
Monegasque Charles Leclerc completed the top 5 of this one-hour session. At the wheel of his Ferrari, he hopes to achieve his first victory on home soil in Monaco on Sunday, which has eluded him since his debut in the elite in 2018. The three-time reigning world champion, the Dutchman Max Verstappen, was only 11e on the timesheet at the end of these first tests, ahead of his teammate, the Mexican Sergio Pérez.
Unlike several of their competitors, however, the two Red Bull drivers did not drive on soft tires, settling for slower medium tires to set their best time. These first tests were marked by a single red flag waved at the end of the session, when the Chinese Zhou Guanyu (Sauber) hit the barriers around the circuit, spreading debris on the track.
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The ranking of free practice 1
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes), 1’12”169
2. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren), 1’12”198
3. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes), 1’12”295
4. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren), 1’12”396
5. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari), 1’12”397
6. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin), 1’12”775
7. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin), 1’12”789
8. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls), 1’12”875
9. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Racing Bulls), 1’12”901
10. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari), 1’12”954
…
18. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine), 1’14”159
20. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine), 1’15”574
