FP1: Sainz heads Alonso in opening Monaco practice

F1 Grand Prix, GP Monaco, Monte Carlo Circuit

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz set the pace on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo to top the opening practice with Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso taking second.

Following a difficult Miami Grand Prix that saw the Scuderia struggle for race pace, Carlos Sainz started off his and Ferrari’s weekend in the first European round of the season in a promising way by topping the opening practice session. The Spaniard clocked a time of 1m13.372s on Pirelli’s medium to head Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso with the two-time world champion ending the session by over three tenths of a second behind.

Lewis Hamilton looked more comfortable in his heavily upgraded W14 in the first 60-minute practice, finishing third fastest. The Briton racked up a total of 27 laps, and led the standing midway through the session before the Spanish duo of Sainz and Alonso eclipsed his effort of 1m14.035s.

For the first time this season, Red Bull looked slightly off the pace with reigning world champion Max Verstappen complaining of bottoming. The Dutchman took sixth while his team mate Sergio Perez set the fourth fastest time with Ferrari’s home favourite Charles Leclerc ending the session in P5.

Following the announcement of the Honda engine partnership from the 2026 season onwards, Ason Martin’s Canadian driver Lance Stroll Williams continued to show an impressive form with Alexander Albon finishing in P10, just three tenths of a second behind Verstappen.

However, his endured a bad end to his session as he crashed into the barriers on the exit of Turn 1. The incident brought the session to an early end.

Albon’s teammate Logans Sargeant completed an eye-catchning mileage with 30 laps, but his effort of 1m15.557s was only enough for a P18.

After introducing a successful upgrade to the floor in Miami, Haas had a difficult opening session. Kevin Magnussen took 12th, finishing in the ultra close midfield.

His teammate Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the leaderboard with over 2.4s off Sainz’ pace. The German driver had a torrid session as he collided with the wall at Turn 13, damaging his left-rear tyre. Although he could make it back to the garage, the session was briefly stopped as marshals were forced to repair the barriers.