Charles Leclerc capped off a dominant run through practice by going fastest again in FP3 at the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, delivering a clean sweep ahead of the most crucial qualifying session of the 2025 F1 season. The Monegasque driver thrilled home fans by dipping into the 1m10s for the first time this weekend, posting a 1:10.953 to top the session—though it ended under red flags after his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton crashed heavily at Massenet.
What To Know?
- Leclerc Sweeps Practice: Charles Leclerc topped all three practice sessions, ending FP3 with a stunning 1:10.953 lap in front of his home crowd.
- Hamilton Crashes Late: FP3 ended under red flags after Lewis Hamilton crashed at Massenet, putting his qualifying participation in doubt.
- Verstappen, McLarens Close Behind: Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri followed Leclerc closely, setting up a fierce fight for pole in Monaco qualifying.
As final preparations unfolded in the Principality, teams used FP3 to refine setups and simulate qualifying laps, knowing that track position in Monaco is everything. The session got off to a slow start with dusty conditions and low grip, prompting many to stay in the garage early on. Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson were among the first to venture out, but times only began to tumble once the frontrunners hit the track.
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2025 Monaco GP FP1: Leclerc tops the opening session for Ferrari
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2025 Monaco GP Qualifying: Norris beats Leclerc and Piastri to pole
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Leclerc and Lando Norris traded top spots in the middle phase of the session, with Norris briefly edging ahead before Leclerc responded. Max Verstappen then lit up the timing screens, becoming the first to break into the 1m11s on mediums and lowering the benchmark to a 1:11.233. But in the final qualifying simulations, Leclerc reclaimed P1 with a storming 1:10.953 on soft tyres.
Hamilton’s crash came just moments before the chequered flag, halting the session and potentially jeopardising his qualifying participation. Despite the setback, his earlier effort was still good enough for fifth. Verstappen finished second, 0.280s behind Leclerc, with Norris and Oscar Piastri locking out P3 and P4 for McLaren in a tight top four.
Alex Albon impressed again with P6 for Williams, followed by Lawson, Carlos Sainz, Yuki Tsunoda, and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli completing the top ten. George Russell could only manage 11th in the sister Mercedes, continuing a tricky weekend.
Further down, Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, and Pierre Gasly sat in the midfield, while penalised drivers Lance Stroll (FP1 clash) and Ollie Bearman (FP2 red flag breach) finished 15th and 16th respectively. Esteban Ocon, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Colapinto rounded out the field.
As Ferrari aims to convert Leclerc’s blistering form into pole position on home soil, all eyes now turn to qualifying—where the tight confines of Monaco will offer no room for error, and every thousandth of a second could define the weekend.
2025 Monaco GP FP3 Results
2025 Monaco Grand Prix FP3, 24 May 2025
| Pos | No | Driver | Car | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:10.953 | 25 | |
| 2 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:11.233 | +0.280s | 23 |
| 3 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 1:11.247 | +0.294s | 23 |
| 4 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 1:11.398 | +0.445s | 21 |
| 5 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:11.516 | +0.563s | 26 |
| 6 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:11.668 | +0.715s | 24 |
| 7 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:11.814 | +0.861s | 33 |
| 8 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | Williams Mercedes | 1:11.893 | +0.940s | 24 |
| 9 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:11.952 | +0.999s | 21 |
| 10 | 12 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:12.013 | +1.060s | 23 |
| 11 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:12.066 | +1.113s | 22 |
| 12 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:12.101 | +1.148s | 22 |
| 13 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:12.125 | +1.172s | 25 |
| 14 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine Renault | 1:12.194 | +1.241s | 20 |
| 15 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:12.202 | +1.249s | 24 |
| 16 | 87 | Oliver Bearman | Haas Ferrari | 1:12.251 | +1.298s | 20 |
| 17 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:12.271 | +1.318s | 30 |
| 18 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas Ferrari | 1:12.499 | +1.546s | 25 |
| 19 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:12.601 | +1.648s | 28 |
| 20 | 43 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine Renault | 1:12.851 | +1.898s | 32 |
Race Guide
Season: 2025 F1 World Championship
Race weekend: 23 May 2025 – 25 May 2025
Race date: Sunday, 25 May, 2025
Race start time: 15:00 local time
Circuit: Circuit de Monaco
Laps: 78
Circuit length: 3.337km
2024 winner: Charles Leclerc
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