Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) set the best time in the first free practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix, 7th round of the Formula 1 World Championship, Friday in Monte-Carlo.
On the time sheet, he leads by a very short head (39/1000) the Red Bull of the Mexican Sergio Pérez and by 70/1000 the single-seater of his teammate, the Spaniard Carlos Sainz.
Behind the trio, the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – current leader of the championship – sets the fourth time, 181/1000 from his rival in the championship.
The McLaren of Briton Lando Norris 5th and the AlphaTauri of Frenchman Pierre Gasly, 6th, follow. The other Frenchman in the event Esteban Ocon (Alpine) posted a meager 16th time.
At Mercedes, in great shape during the previous round in Spain, the Britons George Russell and Lewis Hamilton took the 8th and 10th times respectively.
This first test session in Monaco, a historic F1 event, was marked by a single red flag. Victim of a mechanical problem, the German Mick Schumacher (Haas) stopped near the track, blocking the entrance to the pit lane.
