Courtesy: Fanpage
Charles Leclerc was the surprise name at the top of the time charts ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, finishing second in practice. Max Verstappen and Red Bull were expected to lead the way around Monte Carlo’s streets, but Leclerc’s pace in Thursday’s afternoon session suggests Ferrari could mount a challenge this weekend.
After missing most of FP1 due to a gearbox issue, Leclerc was out in the second session at his home event after the gearbox on his SF21 was replaced. He set the session’s first-time lap – a 1m18.757s on medium compound tyres – but was quickly deposed as he had to brake hard to avoid a pack of cars running slowly through the final corners.
It was Ferrari’s first 1-2 finish in any F1 session since second practice for the 2019 Brazilian Grand Prix, and it marked the latest step in the team’s recovery from a difficult 2020 season. Ferrari’s performance in Monaco surprised title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, but both drivers believed Sainz and Leclerc would be a serious threat at the front this weekend.
Hamilton, who leads Verstappen by 14 points heading into this weekend’s fifth round of the season, predicts that Red Bull will be difficult to beat at a track that has suited their machinery in previous seasons. However, Verstappen finished four-tenths slower than Leclerc, while teammate Sergio Perez was only eighth, one second back. Hamilton finished 0.390 seconds slower than Leclerc.
Sainz has an impressive record in Monaco, scoring points in each of his five starts and finishing sixth in both 2017 and 2019. Following the cancellation of last year’s race due to the coronavirus, Formula One has returned to Monte Carlo. It was the first time since 1954 that the sport’s pinnacle event did not take place.
What are your predictions for the race? Hamilton is definitely on his best career start, with 3 wins from 4. Meanwhile, Monaco has suited the Redbull car in recent years, with Max trying to close the gap between him and Hamilton. However, the surprise FP2 can mean that Ferrari is also in the race, wanting to move to 3rd place on the constructors’ table.
Nicely done guys! 🤩 #Charles16 P1#Carlos55 P2#essereFerrari 🔴 #MonacoGP #FP2 pic.twitter.com/O8iNZ9VyEi
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) May 20, 2021