Monaco GP FP3: Charles Leclerc fastest with clean sweep, Lewis Hamilton crash brings red flag. Verstappen second, Norris third, Piastri fourth in F1 Monte Carlo.
Monaco is where legends rise and hearts race a little faster. The winding streets of Monte Carlo echoed once again with the thunder of Formula 1 machines as Charles Leclerc proved his mastery of the Principality with a clean sweep in all three practice sessions. But FP3 wasn’t just about Ferrari glory — it ended with drama as Lewis Hamilton crashed, bringing out red flags with only minutes remaining.
Let’s dive into the full FP3 session recap, uncover the big stories, and look at what it means for Qualifying and beyond.
Table of Contents
| Sr# | Headings |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Morning in Monte Carlo: FP3 Kicks Off Cautiously |
| 2 | Early Movers: Colapinto and Lawson Take to the Track |
| 3 | Hulkenberg Flirts with Disaster at Final Corner |
| 4 | Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc Lock Horns Early On |
| 5 | Verstappen Shows His Class Midway Through FP3 |
| 6 | Ferrari Performance: Leclerc Raises the Bar Again |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton Crash Halts the Session |
| 8 | McLaren F1 Impressive with Norris and Piastri |
| 9 | Williams’ Alex Albon Quietly Climbing the Ranks |
| 10 | Racing Bulls Liam Lawson Makes His Presence Felt |
| 11 | Carlos Sainz Ferrari: Under the Radar, but Consistent |
| 12 | Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull: Strong Show of Pace in FP3 |
| 13 | Mercedes Kimi Antonelli Outpaces George Russell |
| 14 | The Struggles of Bearman, Ocon, and Colapinto |
| 15 | What Does This Mean for Qualifying? |
A Morning in Monte Carlo: FP3 Kicks Off Cautiously
Monaco GP FP3 began under beautiful skies but cautious moods. The early part of the session saw drivers reluctant to head out immediately. The track wasn’t offering much grip — think of it as trying to sprint on a freshly polished marble floor. With Qualifying being the weekend’s golden ticket, no one wanted to take unnecessary risks.
Early Movers: Colapinto and Lawson Take to the Track
Franco Colapinto was the first to brave the slippery surface, but his laps were well off the competitive pace. Shortly after, Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson joined him and reported over the radio that the track had “very low grip.” Despite being one of the newest names on the grid, Lawson’s confidence and feedback were refreshing.
Hulkenberg Flirts with Disaster at Final Corner
Nico Hulkenberg, driving for Kick Sauber, briefly topped the timesheets on mediums with a 1m13.916s. But his joy was almost short-lived — a lock-up nearly sent him into the barriers at the final corner. In a moment of quick thinking, he reversed, regrouped, and carried on. Classic Hulk — always dancing on the edge.
Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc Lock Horns Early On
As the track rubbered in, the action picked up. Lando Norris laid down a 1m12.970s on softs, but Charles Leclerc, looking like a man on a mission in his hometown, responded with a 1m12.199s. Back and forth they went — Norris hit back, then Leclerc again. It was like watching two grandmasters trade moves in a high-stakes chess match.
Verstappen Shows His Class Midway Through FP3
Just when you thought the duel couldn’t get better, Max Verstappen entered the fray. First dipping under 1m12s, he posted a 1m11.961s on mediums. That alone raised eyebrows. He wasn’t done yet — he clocked a blistering 1m11.233s. Max Verstappen second may be the headline, but his pace was a clear warning shot.
Ferrari Performance: Leclerc Raises the Bar Again
When it mattered most, Charles Leclerc turned the wick up. With just over five minutes to go, he dropped a jaw-dropping 1m10.953s lap on soft tyres. The Monegasque driver had completed a Leclerc clean sweep, topping all three sessions and sending a clear signal: Monaco is his turf.
Lewis Hamilton Crash Halts the Session
Then came the sting. Lewis Hamilton, showing strong pace in his Ferrari and sitting fifth, clipped the barriers at Massenet and smashed into the wall at Casino Square. The red flags came out with under two minutes left. The crash leaves Ferrari with a frantic repair job ahead of qualifying. The Lewis Hamilton crash was not just a dramatic end to FP3 but a major blow to Ferrari’s double-front aspirations.
McLaren F1 Impressive with Norris and Piastri
Behind the headline acts, McLaren F1 had a quietly excellent session. Lando Norris third and Oscar Piastri fourthshowed the team’s growing strength, especially on tight street circuits. Both drivers looked hooked up, and their cars showed great balance — something that could be crucial in Qualifying.
Williams’ Alex Albon Quietly Climbing the Ranks
Another name making waves: Williams’ Alex Albon. Finishing sixth, Albon extracted everything he could from the car. While others struggled for grip or misjudged braking zones, Albon was clean, precise, and fast. Could Williams be an outside threat for Q3? Time will tell.
Racing Bulls Liam Lawson Makes His Presence Felt
Liam Lawson, standing in at Racing Bulls, ended FP3 in seventh. Not bad for a driver with limited F1 seat time this season. His pace, feedback, and consistency are all putting pressure on the team to consider him more seriously. If he keeps this up, a permanent seat could be closer than he thinks.
Carlos Sainz Ferrari: Under the Radar, but Consistent
While Leclerc grabbed headlines, Carlos Sainz Ferrari kept it solid. Eighth might not sound stellar, but his sector times and tire management indicate he’s holding back just a bit — possibly saving his best for Qualifying.
Yuki Tsunoda Red Bull: Strong Show of Pace in FP3
Yuki Tsunoda, representing Red Bull, slotted into ninth. It was another steady session for the Japanese driver, who continues to mature. His feedback to the team has improved, and his one-lap pace, especially through sector two, is earning praise internally.
Mercedes Kimi Antonelli Outpaces George Russell
Rookie alert! Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, still just a teenager, outpaced George Russell and finished tenth. This wasn’t a fluke. Antonelli looked confident, especially through the tight corners. Mercedes may have something special here.
The Struggles of Bearman, Ocon, and Colapinto
Not everyone had a smooth session. Ollie Bearman, already slapped with a 10-place grid penalty, was 16th. Esteban Ocon was 18th, while Franco Colapinto brought up the rear in 20th. Mistakes, low grip, and timing all played a role in their off-color performances.
What Does This Mean for Qualifying?
FP3 was more than just a warm-up — it was a Formula 1 practice results statement. Leclerc fastest, Verstappen second, Norris third, and a Ferrari crash in the mix means we’re in for one of the tightest Qualifying sessions of the year. In Monaco, where overtaking is a fantasy, Qualifying is king.
Conclusion
The streets of Monte Carlo gave us drama, speed, heartbreak, and brilliance — and that was just in FP3. Charles Leclerccompleted a dominant clean sweep, but the red flags from Lewis Hamilton’s crash add a layer of suspense to the story. As teams scramble to prep for Qualifying, fans are already on the edge of their seats.
The Monaco Grand Prix continues to prove why it’s the crown jewel of F1 Monte Carlo. Every inch matters. Every corner has history. And every lap tells a story.
FAQs
1. Why was FP3 in Monaco important for the teams?
Because Monaco is such a tight circuit with limited overtaking opportunities, FP3 helps teams fine-tune their setup for the most critical Qualifying session of the season.
2. What caused Lewis Hamilton’s crash in FP3?
Hamilton lost control through Massenet and hit the barrier at Casino Square, bringing out the red flags with less than two minutes left in the session.
3. How dominant was Charles Leclerc in FP3?
Leclerc topped all three practice sessions and ended FP3 with the fastest lap time of 1m10.953s, showing both speed and consistency.
4. Who were the surprise performers in FP3?
Alex Albon in sixth, Liam Lawson in seventh, and Kimi Antonelli in tenth were notable surprises with strong pace in their respective cars.
5. What can we expect in Monaco GP Qualifying?
With Leclerc on form, Verstappen close behind, and tight gaps throughout the field, expect an intense, nail-biting Qualifying session where every millisecond counts.
