Charles Leclerc showcased his prowess at the Monaco Grand Prix by topping both practice sessions on Friday, much to the delight of Ferrari fans. Despite an early collision and low expectations, Leclerc set the fastest lap times, reaffirming his dominance on his home circuit.

Practice Highlights

• Leclerc's Performance: Leclerc clocked a best time of 1:11.355 in the late afternoon session, following a lap of 1:11.964 in the opening practice. His performance was a surprise, especially after Ferrari's struggles at Imola.
• Piastri's Incident: McLaren's Oscar Piastri had a challenging day, ending up in the tyre wall at Sainte Devote but still managed to secure the second-fastest time, just 0.038 seconds behind Leclerc.
• Penalties Issued: Lance Stroll of Aston Martin received a one-place grid drop for a collision with Leclerc, while Oliver Bearman was handed a 10-place grid drop for overtaking during a red flag.

Driver Reactions

• Leclerc: Despite downplaying Ferrari's chances earlier, Leclerc expressed satisfaction with the day's results, highlighting the team's improved performance.
• Piastri: The Australian acknowledged a messy day but remained optimistic about his pace.
• Verstappen: The Red Bull driver complained about traffic hazards, describing some situations as 'quite dangerous.'

Session Details

• Practice One: Leclerc led the session, with Lewis Hamilton finishing third and Fernando Alonso rounding out the top 10.
• Practice Two: Leclerc continued his dominance, with Piastri splitting the Ferraris and Hamilton securing third place.

Technical Issues

• Stroll's Collision: The incident with Leclerc resulted in rear suspension damage and a gearbox change for Stroll's Aston Martin.
• Lawson's Mishap: Liam Lawson clipped the barrier at the tunnel exit, causing a puncture and rear suspension damage.

Looking Ahead

With qualifying and the race still to come, Leclerc's performance has set high expectations for Ferrari. The tight and twisty Monaco circuit continues to challenge drivers, making for an exciting weekend of racing.