- Ferrari topped both Friday practice sessions in Monaco.
- Max Verstappen ended FP2 just 0.168s off the pace.
- FP3 could still reshape the fight before qualifying.
Friday in Monaco belonged to Ferrari, but not by enough to make Saturday comfortable.
Charles Leclerc set the pace in FP1 before Lewis Hamilton led a Ferrari one-two in FP2, giving the Scuderia the cleanest start of any frontrunning team in Monte Carlo.
Monaco qualifying is likely to decide Sunday’s Grand Prix, which makes Friday’s picture especially important. On a circuit where braking confidence, traction and low-speed balance matter more than straight-line speed, Ferrari look well placed.
The problem is Max Verstappen.
He was not fastest. Red Bull did not look as naturally settled as Ferrari. Yet Verstappen still finished FP2 third, just 0.168s away from Hamilton’s benchmark.
At Monaco, that is close enough to be dangerous.
FP2 top three
| Driver | FP2 Position | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Hamilton | 1st | — |
| Charles Leclerc | 2nd | +0.105 |
| Max Verstappen | 3rd | +0.168 |
Why is Max Verstappen still a threat in Monaco?
Verstappen does not need much.
Ferrari’s pace was real, but Monaco has a habit of shrinking margins. A cleaner out-lap, better tyre preparation or one slightly braver commitment through the Swimming Pool section can change the entire complexion of qualifying.
That is why Verstappen remains such an awkward presence for Ferrari.
Red Bull may not have had the strongest package on Friday, but Verstappen rarely needs a perfect car to become a pole threat. His best qualifying laps often come when the car is just close enough to let him attack.
Monaco rewards that kind of driver.
Ferrari have pace, but also pressure
The dynamic is fascinating because Ferrari are no longer chasing.
They are defending an advantage.
Leclerc carries the emotional weight of a home Grand Prix, while Hamilton has a genuine chance to claim one of his biggest moments since joining Ferrari. Both looked sharp on Friday, but Monaco qualifying is brutally unforgiving.
Traffic, yellow flags and track evolution can ruin a session before a driver has made a mistake of their own.
That is where Verstappen’s presence matters. He forces Ferrari to be precise. Not good. Precise.
What to watch in FP3
- Whether Ferrari retain their one-lap advantage.
- Whether Red Bull find another tenth for Verstappen.
- Whether McLaren recover after Lando Norris’ disrupted FP2.
- Whether track evolution brings Mercedes further into the fight.
FP3 may sharpen the picture, but it is unlikely to remove the tension.
Ferrari deserve to start qualifying as favourites. The car looked settled, both drivers were quick and the timesheet backed up the impression that they have found a strong window.
But Friday’s margins suggest Verstappen remains the driver most likely to spoil the script.
Ferrari were fastest.
Monaco may still give Verstappen enough room to make that irrelevant.
