Ferrari star Charles Leclerc dominates the free practice sessions in Monaco. However, there are already indications that the legendary Grand Prix in the Principality could become a thousandth thriller. However, the drivers have other concerns on the newly paved track.
In what is probably the most important qualifying session of the Formula 1 year in Monaco, the drivers have to contend with an additional problem: the stiffer new cars are shaken up on the very demanding track in the Principality - finding the perfect set-up will be an even greater balancing act. "The track has been repaved, but it's probably the bumpiest I've ever ridden on," said Lewis Hamilton. "In some places it felt like my eyeballs were going to fall out of my head because of the bumps."
The reigning champion Max Verstappen also noted after free practice on Friday that the cockpit boundary would be bumped "more and more violently". The two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was sure before the first exit that this would happen. "Everything you need in Monaco: These cars don't have it," joked the Spaniard.
The training sessions were dominated by local hero Charles Leclerc. The 24-year-old Monegasse raced to first place in both practice sessions. The main adversary Verstappen could not match the times of the Ferrari star. For Leclerc, who has not yet been able to finish a Formula 1 race in his home country, this was the right confidence booster. However, there were indications that it could be extremely close in the fight for thousandths of a second on the circuit, which is only 3.337 kilometers long.
The vehicle set-up therefore plays a decisive role for qualifying on Saturday (3 p.m. on Sky and in the live ticker on ntv.de). Apart from the sensational victory of Frenchman Olivier Panis in 1996 - he won from 14th place on the grid, only four drivers made it to the finish line - perfect qualifying is the prerequisite for victory in Monaco. The statistics prove it: After Panis, only those who started the Grand Prix from at least third place triumphed. In eleven of the last twelve editions, the winner came from the front row.
