MONTECARLO — To all Charles. The first day of free tests to Montecarlo closes under the name of Leclerc. The Monegasque is the fastest at home: lap after lap, he finishes Friday in 1’11”278 with his Ferrariputting his future teammate behind him, Lewis Hamilton2nd on Mercedes at 188 thousandths: the 7-time world champion had finished in the lead in the morning.
Leclerc and his confidence in Monte Carlo
For Leclerc, who wants to erase the curse of the home GP (never a podium, a thousand misfortunes and troubles of which he was the victim), a start to the weekend that promises very well. He doesn’t even care about one result between the three, Charles really wants to win this time. And on a circuit like this, narrow and tortuous where it is impossible to overtake, the race is on Saturday: qualifying, and therefore the starting position, almost always decides the result on Sunday. The road is still long, anything can happen: a wall too close, a breath of wind, too dark in the tunnels. But Leclerc knows this city by heart and will try to inhabit it once and for all.
Leclerc, small mistake at St Devote
He doesn’t want to see obstacles or doesn’t want to be influenced: small mistake at St Devote, curve and patron saint of the city (turns and gets back on track); at the end of the morning session where he didn’t even try the fastest tires (5th), he takes the debris left by the Sauber under the red Zhou that scratches itself on the barriers. Charles damages the floor, gets it repaired, gets back on track. The replacement will most likely take place tomorrow, when perfection in every millimeter will count.
Verstappen fourth and nervous
Meanwhile, Leclerc’s design begins to take shape and look beautiful. Not only the ride, but also the pace (as far as it matters in Monaco) is one of the best. Because the best ever is from the other red one from Carlos Sainz (6th in pole simulation), who instead found 2 podiums in the Principality with the red (2021 and 2022). Third on the Aston Martin is Fernando Alonso, in one of the most positive sessions since the beginning of the year for the Spaniard. A little too much hopping Max Verstappen who is even 4th, 5 tenths behind Leclerc. The Dutchman complains, but you can’t trust him: he also did it on Friday in Imola a week ago, then he took pole and also the race, although fighting against old and new heels.
Newey at the Red Bull garage
In the pits Red Bull it also arrived Adrian Newey, albeit in civilian clothes: is the engineer who greeted the team in Miami in extraordinary help? Assuming that Max really needs it: in the meantime, he puts it behind him McLarenin livery as a tribute to Senna, by Lando Norris who is challenging him very closely in these latest races (Oscar Piastri instead only 12°). Perhaps Perez need a hand from the genius engineer? Checo with the other blue is 8th behind Verdona Stroll and slightly ahead of the Williams Of Albon. Closing out the top ten is the other Mercedes George Russell. It’s only Friday, as always. But it’s a beautiful Friday.
