Leclerc collides with Stroll, then tops first Monaco practice

Charles Leclerc’s home weekend in Monaco got off to an imperfect start that still ended happily, with the 2024 Monte Carlo winner topping first practice in the principality.

Leclerc, a three-time Monaco pole-getter, set the benchmark for the weekend’s first timed session at 1m11.964s.It put him 0.163s ahead of Max Verstappen, who improved a set on of worn softs in the final moments to move into second place in the classification.

Leclerc’s session couldn’t have got off to a worse start, however, with the Ferrari driver rear-ending Lance Stroll just six minutes into the hour.

Stroll was traveling slowly off the racing line approaching the hairpin to allow Andrea Kimi Antonelli past, but once the Mercedes cruised past, the Canadian darted back to the right. He rejoined the racing line just as Leclerc steamed up behind him. Caught by surprise, the Monegasque hit the brakes but was powerless to avoid a crash.

“I just felt Leclerc crash into the back of me; I didn’t hear you,” Stroll told his race engineer after being warned of the scarlet car’s impending arrival.

The Ferrari limped away with a damaged front wing, while the Aston Martin sustained more extensive damage to its rear wing, floor diffuser, rear suspension and gearbox. Both drivers returned to pit lane, scattering debris on the way that caused a five-minute red flag for cleaning.

Stroll was subsequently withdrawn for repairs and was summoned to a post-session stewards investigation for causing a collision. Leclerc was able to rejoin the session shortly after the resumption, but despite going on to set the fastest time, he didn’t appear to have an easy time of things coaxing his Ferrari around the lap.

“We are nowhere,” he said before taking top spot. “Right corners super understeer, left corners super oversteer.”

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It was a perhaps foreboding notice to most of his pursuers. While Verstappen got close, Lando Norris in his fancied McLaren car was 0.326s adrift.

The Briton, who was brushing up against the barriers through the Swimming Pool almost immediately after pit lane opened, headed a tight three-car pack comprising Williams driver Alex Albon and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri covered by just 0.052s.

George Russell was sixth for Mercedes and 0.518s off the pace, beating Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly.

Lewis Hamilton was ninth after an alarming leap over the curbs exiting the Swimming Pool late in the session, his Ferrari vaulting into the air with all four wheels before landing with a crunch but mercifully avoiding the barriers, allowing the Briton to continue.

Fernando Alonso completed the top 10 ahead of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, whose session came close to ending in the barriers at Casino Square late in the hour.

Nico Hulkenberg was 12th ahead of Isack Hadjar – who was one of only two drivers not to use the soft tire – and Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull Racing car.

Haas teammates Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon were 15th and 16th ahead of Liam Lawson – who, like his Racing Bulls teammate, also didn’t use the soft compound – Gabriel Bortoleto, Franco Colapinto and the crashed-out Stroll.