Although Charles Leclerc led the timings on Friday in Monaco, the seasoned drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton were close on his heels.
Charles Leclerc set the pace in Friday’s Free Practice for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, clocking a time nearly two-tenths faster than anyone else in FP2. However, it was the seasoned veterans, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, who emerged as his closest rivals.
Hamilton and Alonso finished P2 and P3 respectively in the second practice session, showcasing their expertise on a track where experience is crucial. Hamilton had a strong day, though his Mercedes teammate George Russell struggled with brake vibrations, requiring setup changes. Meanwhile, Alonso banished memories of a tough weekend in Imola, finding confidence despite some rear-end instability in his Aston Martin.
Both Mercedes and Aston Martin have been looking forward to Monaco, a track that suits their cars’ strengths in slow corners and mechanical grip. While Ferrari and Red Bull still hold a slight edge, the battle for the top positions is heating up.
Mercedes appears close to its ideal lap time, suggesting limited room for improvement on Saturday, while Alonso hints at having more performance to unlock. With nine World Championships between them, Hamilton and Alonso could surprise by challenging for top-five positions, potentially shaking up the established order.
McLaren remains a wildcard after strong showings in Miami and Imola, but their true pace in Monaco is yet to be revealed. As expectations soar, all eyes will be on the veterans to see if they can disrupt the pecking order in Saturday’s qualifying.
