FP1: Perez tops first practice at Monaco

F1 Grand Prix, GP Monaco, Monte Carlo Circuit

For the first time this season, Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Pérez topped a session. He was fastest in the first session of the day as drivers got acquainted with the Monaco circuit after not driving there in 2020.

Just like in Spain two weeks ago, a limited number of fans were again present to add to the buzz that defined the Monaco Grand Prix.

Sergio Perez emerged fastest late in the session but needed soft tyres to do so. Carlons Sainz' run on medium tyres therefore seemed all the more impressive as he ended just 0.119s off of the Red Bull. Max Verstappen in third was close behind, also on the medium compound.

Pierre Gasly ended up a respectable fourth for AlphaTauri, topping the Mercedes duo of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas who both used the medium compound Pirelli tyres, contrary to Gasly's softs.

Lando Norris positioned the Gulf-liveried McLaren MCL35M in 7th place, contrasting to a disappointing 15th for Monaco specialist Daniel Ricciardo.

Sebastian Vettel, Yuki Tsunoda and Kimi Räikkönen completed the top ten.

Home hero Charles Leclerc, who is hoping to end his string of DNFs area Monaco this weekend encountered more misfortune as on only his fourth lap a gearbox issue forced him to return to the pits. The Monegasque wasn't seen on track anymore as mechanics were busy sorting out the problem.