- Hamilton Sparks Ferrari Surge with Monaco Practice Masterclass
Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton delivered a vintage performance on Friday as Ferrari dominated second practice for the Monaco Grand Prix with a commanding one-two finish on the famous Monte Carlo streets.
The 41-year-old Briton topped the timesheets ahead of Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, underlining the Italian team’s growing confidence heading into Sunday’s race and further fueling hopes of a Hamilton resurgence in his debut season with the Scuderia.
Hamilton clocked a best lap of 1 minute 13.026 seconds, edging hometown favourite Leclerc by 0.111 seconds around the tight and unforgiving Mediterranean street circuit. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen finished third for Red Bull, just 0.168 seconds off the pace.
Fresh from a strong runner-up finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, Hamilton appeared rejuvenated throughout the session as he chased what would be a record-extending 105th career pole position and 106th Formula One victory.
The British star has enjoyed considerable success in Monaco, winning the prestigious race in 2008, 2016 and 2019, and will also be aiming to equal the legendary Ayrton Senna’s record of eight Monaco podium finishes this weekend.
Mercedes also showed promising pace with George Russell placing fourth, while championship-leading teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli ended the session fifth despite being half a second slower than Hamilton.
Red Bull youngster Isack Hadjar recovered impressively from an earlier crash in opening practice to finish sixth. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was seventh, but teammate and reigning world champion Lando Norris endured a frustrating outing after suffering a battery-related electrical failure that left him stranded at the Nouvelle Chicane and down in 19th place.
The two Audis of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto finished eighth and ninth respectively, while Haas rookie Oliver Bearman rounded out the top 10.
It proved another difficult day for Aston Martin as two-time world champion Fernando Alonso languished in 20th, with teammate Lance Stroll down in 22nd.
Under clear blue skies and mild temperatures of 22 degrees Celsius, the session began with Verstappen setting the early benchmark before Ferrari quickly took control. Hamilton and Leclerc traded fastest laps throughout the opening stages as the track conditions steadily improved.
Hamilton first moved to the top with a lap of 1:13.729 on medium tyres, nearly three-tenths clear of Verstappen, before Leclerc briefly reclaimed the lead after switching to soft tyres.
Ferrari’s pace became increasingly evident during the closing stages. Leclerc initially posted a 1:13.137 to go fastest before Hamilton responded moments later with an even quicker lap that ultimately remained unbeaten.
The session ended with another dramatic moment when Mexican veteran Sergio Perez pulled over at Casino Square in his Cadillac entry, smoke pouring from the cockpit due to a front-right brake issue as the American manufacturer continued its first European Formula One campaign.
