Lewis Hamilton described the Monaco circuit as “the coolest track ever” after Ferrari’s promising start to the weekend ahead of Saturday’s all-important qualifying.
Hamilton finished third, just one tenth behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc who topped both of Friday’s practice sessions on home soil.
Ferrari have endured a largely difficult 2025 and were not expected to contest for the win in Monaco but both drivers were on the pace early on, even with traffic 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,” said Hamilton, who is yet to take Ferrari pole for a Grand Prix.
“Obviously, it’s helpful when you’re in a car that feels good and is quick. With the grip, the speed, it’s narrow, fast, the best rollercoaster ride of the year. It’s such a privilege. Only 20 drivers drive this track.
“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.”
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Watch the dramatic moment as Lewis Hamilton’s car flies after sweeping the barriers
Hamilton has outqualified Leclerc just once in normal qualifying and will have a tough task to beat last year’s Monaco Grand Prix winner.
The seven-time world champion knows where he’s losing out though and plans to only make tweaks to the car.
He said: “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 subtle changes I need to make to the car. I will not make many changes at all. We might change one small thing like a quarter of degree of camber, but maximum that will be it.”
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Watch the moment Lewis Hamilton had to drastically navigate traffic to avoid a collision
Even though there will be a mandatory two tyre changes for Sunday’s race, which should spice up the Monaco Grand Prix, qualifying will still be critical since overtaking is so difficult.
Leclerc will look to continue his blistering form into Saturday but is “not convinced” about Ferrari’s pace yet.
“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 said.
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An early red flag was deployed during P1 of the Monaco Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc crashed into the back 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 pace was strong. Whatever compound we were on, I was feeling quite comfortable and the lap time was coming pretty quickly, so that’s always a good sign. Qualifying will be fundamental and we have to start in front if we want a good result.”
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Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, the drivers have their say on the new extra pit-stop rule
Norris looking for progress in small areas
Lando Norris stayed out of trouble throughout the day but was still outpaced by McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri in second practice as he finished fourth and three tenths down on Leclerc.
The McLaren driver, who has been outqualified in three of the last four Saturdays by Piastri, says he is still finding it tricky to comfortably put a quick lap together.
“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 said.
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David Croft and Karun Chandhok were at the SkyPad to look back on Friday’s enthralling practice sessions at the Monaco Grand Prix
“We are talking small things. But when you are talking hundredths here and there, they all add up.
“It’s just too difficult to get the braking right, the cornering right, the tyres and grip, the feeling all in the perfect window.”
Piastri made a rare unforced error when he found the wall at Turn 1 in the second session but managed to reverse back out and lost little track time.
At first, his confidence appeared to be dented but he went second quickest behind Leclerc, albeit with the advantage of track evolution.
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McLaren’s Oscar Piastri crashed into the wall as the red flag was issued for a second time during P2
“The whole day has been up and down. When we get everything together, the pace is quite good,” said Piastri, who leads Norris by 13 points in 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 first time this year, Red Bull look to be out of contention after Friday as Max Verstappen was only 10th and seven tenths off pace-setter Leclerc.
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Oscar Piastri describes Friday’s practice as ‘messy’, following his P2 crash into the barriers during the Monaco Grand Prix
Verstappen said: “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 couldn’t attack the corners anymore how I would like and then you are shredding a lot of pace and the lap time was not coming 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 again look very fast. McLaren were close behind but over the whole season, the pace, Ferrari have taken a big step forward here.”
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Max Verstappen believes Red Bull will need to improve if they’re to match the pace of Ferrari around Monaco
Sky Sports F1’s Monaco GP schedule
Saturday May 24
9.40am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Monaco GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.10pm: Monaco GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: MONACO GP QUALIFYING
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday May 25
6.55am: F3 Feature Race
8.35am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Monaco GP build-up*
2pm: The MONACO GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Monaco GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
5.30pm: The Indy 500
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Next up in F1’s European triple-header is the ‘Jewel in the Crown’, the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, with coverage starting on Friday live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
