Lewis Hamilton described the Monaco circuit as “the coolest track ever” after Ferrari’s promising begin to the weekend forward of Saturday’s all-important qualifying.
Hamilton completed third, only one tenth behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc who topped each of Friday’s follow periods on dwelling soil.
Ferrari have endured a largely troublesome 2025 and weren’t anticipated to contest for the win in Monaco however each drivers had been on the tempo early on, even with visitors incidents for Hamilton and a collision with Lance Stroll for Leclerc.
“It was awesome. It’s the coolest track ever to drive. The most fun. Every year is such a blast. It doesn’t matter what car you’re in,” mentioned Hamilton, who’s but to take Ferrari pole for a Grand Prix.
“Clearly, it is useful whenever you’re in a automotive that feels good and is fast. With the grip, the pace, it is slim, quick, the very best rollercoaster experience of the 12 months. It is such a privilege. Solely 20 drivers drive this monitor.
“This morning I texted my assistant Ellen and I said ‘I’m so lucky to be able to do this’ and I was so excited for the day.”
Hamilton has outqualified Leclerc simply as soon as in regular qualifying and could have a troublesome job to beat final 12 months’s Monaco Grand Prix winner.
The seven-time world champion is aware of the place he is dropping out although and plans to solely make tweaks to the automotive.
He mentioned: “I would say there is more to find in my driving, in lines and braking. I’ve got one tenth for example just in Turn 1. There are bits here and there throughout the lap.
“There are delicate adjustments I must make to the automotive. I can’t make many adjustments in any respect. We would change one small factor like 1 / 4 of diploma of camber, however most that will likely be it.”
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Watch the second Lewis Hamilton needed to drastically navigate visitors to keep away from a collision
Although there will likely be a compulsory two tyre adjustments for Sunday’s race, which ought to boost the Monaco Grand Prix, qualifying will nonetheless be crucial since overtaking is so troublesome.
Leclerc will look to proceed his blistering type into Saturday however is “not convinced” about Ferrari’s tempo but.
“Friday in Monaco is always very special, very specific. I think everyone is taking their reference. It’s too early to feel very positive about the weekend,” he mentioned.
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An early crimson flag was deployed throughout P1 of the Monaco Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc crashed into the again of Lance Stroll, who was given a one-grid place penalty
“But the Friday has been very positive for us. I’ve been feeling very good with the car. It hasn’t started the way I wanted with the crash with Lance [Stroll] but after that it was smooth and I’m happy overall with the car.
“The one lap tempo was sturdy. No matter compound we had been on, I used to be feeling fairly comfy and the lap time was coming fairly shortly, in order that’s at all times an excellent signal. Qualifying will likely be elementary and we have now to start out in entrance if we would like an excellent end result.”
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Forward of the Monaco Grand Prix, the drivers have their say on the brand new additional pit-stop rule
Norris searching for progress in small areas
Norris stayed out of bother all through the day however was nonetheless outpaced by McLaren team-mate Piastri in second follow as he completed fourth and three tenths down on Leclerc.
The McLaren driver, who has been outqualified in three of the final 4 Saturdays by Piastri, says he’s nonetheless discovering it difficult to comfortably put a fast lap collectively.
“It’s always good fun here. Always stressful, just difficult at times to get clean laps in. A nice feeling. I felt comfortable from the beginning but need to progress more in some areas,” he mentioned.
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David Croft and Karun Chandhok had been on the SkyPad to look again on Friday’s enthralling follow periods on the Monaco Grand Prix
“We are talking small things. But when you are talking hundredths here and there, they all add up.
“It is simply too troublesome to get the braking proper, the cornering proper, the tyres and grip, the sensation all within the excellent window.”
Piastri made a uncommon unforced error when he discovered the wall at Flip 1 within the second session however managed to reverse again out and misplaced little monitor time.
At first, his confidence gave the impression to be dented however he went second quickest behind Leclerc, albeit with the benefit of monitor evolution.
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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri crashed into the wall because the crimson flag was issued for a second time throughout P2
“The whole day has been up and down. When we get everything together, the pace is quite good,” mentioned Piastri, who leads Norris by 13 factors within the drivers’ standings.
“It’s just not proving that easy to do, so some things to look at, especially for myself it’s been a very messy day. I will just try and reset because the pace of the car is there. Ferrari look a lot stronger than they have done.”
Not for the primary time this 12 months, Crimson Bull look to be out of competition after Friday as Max Verstappen was solely tenth and 7 tenths off pace-setter Leclerc.
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Oscar Piastri describes Friday’s follow as ‘messy’, following his P2 crash into the boundaries through the Monaco Grand Prix
Verstappen mentioned: “FP1 was quite positive then we made some changes for FP2 to see how far we could push the balance and I think we overdid it a little bit.
“I could not assault the corners anymore how I would love after which you’re shredding a whole lot of tempo and the lap time was not popping out of it.
“I don’t expect us to be the quickest but we want to be a lot closer than we were in FP2. But, I’m quite confident we can be a lot closer.
“Ferrari once more look very quick. McLaren had been shut behind however over the entire season, the tempo, Ferrari have taken an enormous step ahead right here.”
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Max Verstappen believes Crimson Bull might want to enhance in the event that they’re to match the tempo of Ferrari round Monaco
Sky Sports activities F1’s Monaco GP schedule
Saturday Could 24
9.40am: F3 Dash
11.15am: Monaco GP Apply Three (session begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Dash
2.10pm: Monaco GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: MONACO GP QUALIFYING
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
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Look again at a number of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday Could 25
6.55am: F3 Characteristic Race
8.35am: F2 Characteristic Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Monaco GP build-up*
2pm: The MONACO GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Monaco GP response
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
5.30pm: The Indy 500
*additionally dwell on Sky Sports activities Predominant Occasion
Subsequent up in F1’s European triple-header is the ‘Jewel within the Crown’, the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, with protection beginning on Friday dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
