The sun is shining for now on the Principality of Monaco during the first free practice session. At the top of the timesheets is the landlord Charles Leclerc, which closes in 1:14.531. Behind him follows the Red Bull di Sergio Perez at just thirty-nine thousandths. Porpoising is back on W13's Russell e Hamilton.
Ferrari parent company in hot Monte Carlo
Charles Leclerc is positioned in front of everyone with his F1-75. The red from Maranello wears the new fund revealed and used in Barcelona, and mount thenew rear wing, obviously with a high load to meet the demanding aerodynamic requirements of the Monte Carlo street circuit. At the moment the technicians of the horse they did not introduce power unit number 3 on Leclerc's car, despite the reliability problems encountered in Barcelona. Sainz it closes just seventy thousandths behind its partner, sealing the top 3.
Red Bull chases and McLaren wakes up
There is a sandwich between the two Ferraris Sergio Perez. The Mexican to the microphones of Sky declared that it was discussed with the change of positions team with the partner that took place in Spain, concluding that “it will not happen again". Verstappen he puts himself just outside the top 3. The Dutchman, in Monaco, became the protagonist of a along to the Saint Devote, at which point other riders also decided to hike and then get back on track. Well McLaren until now, with Norris who stands in front of his partner despite the tonsillitis – which he brings with him from Spain -. Ricciardo is seventh behind Pierre Gasly, who aims to change pace after an unfortunate start to the season. The Australian continues to be in crisis and by words of team principal Zak Brown there doesn't seem to be a rosy future between him and McLaren.
Mercedes bounces back in Monaco
It seemed that the Brackley technicians had found the definitive solution to Porpoising, yet the phenomenon makes an unwelcome return on the silver arrows. Hamilton he complained a lot about the jumping, then finishing tenth. Russell crosses the finish line with the eighth fastest time. Mercedes expectations were high given the good times in the third sector of Barcelona, but for now the constructors' world champion team is not exciting.
Ferrari engine, what's going on?
After the engine problems encountered in Spain by Leclerc and Zhou – 17th -, thereliability alarm at Ferrari. Both Schumacher -19th- and Bottas -last- had problems with the power unit of Maranello. German he had to stop at the entrance to the pit lane provoking Red flag; while the former Mercedes he remained in the pits throughout the session, completing just two laps. So the alarm bells of power unit 066/7 are once again making the Maranello technicians sleepy, which despite a superiority of some horse compared to its competitors, it has decidedly still some ailments to solve.
Eleven titles close the top 10 in Monaco
Vettel finishes in ninth position. The weather is on soft tires but it's a good sign about theeffectiveness of the new Aston Martin, subject of controversy given the similarities to Adrian Newey's RB18. Close behind is Hamilton. There Mercedes, as mentioned, she's back to dancing as we remembered, but we're only at FP1; therefore, it cannot be excluded that she is just a setup problem, perhaps too rigid for the narrow streets of the Principality.
And the rest of the grill?
tsunoda e Stroll they are the top two in the second half of the standings, a sign that the respective teams are giving encouraging signs. Alpine disappoints a bit for now: Alonso is 13th e Or with 16th. Magnussen he is 14th after a long run in turn 1, e Albon is fifteenth. The other Williams of Latifs is 18th.