MONACO - Ferrari struck first at the Monaco Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc posting the fastest lap in Friday's opening practice session. The local favorite edged teammate Lewis Hamilton by 0.226 seconds.
Leclerc, the 2024 winner and last year's runner-up, clocked 1:13.978 around the tight principality circuit. Hamilton, still chasing his first win since joining Ferrari, sported a dazzling pink helmet for the glamorous event.
The twisty street course with its slow corners and lack of long straights is expected to neutralize Mercedes' power advantage. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli managed only fourth, 0.559 seconds back, with teammate George Russell fifth. Red Bull's Max Verstappen took third, while reigning champion Lando Norris was sixth.
Two red flags interrupted the session: Red Bull's Isack Hadjar crashed into barriers at the swimming pool chicane but walked away, and Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso damaged his front end late in the session.