Lewis Hamilton quickest in Monaco Grand Prix first practice
The seven-time world champion and Mercedes have been on the backfoot so far this season.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lewis Hamilton delivered a boost for Mercedes by clocking the fastest time in first practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hamilton and Mercedes have been on the backfoot so far this season, but the seven-time world champion ended the opening session in the principality at the top of the order.
Hamilton saw off McLaren’s Oscar Piastri with George Russell third in the other Mercedes.
Lando Norris finished fourth in his McLaren, but Max Verstappen, who did not post a lap on the speediest soft rubber, was only 11th, eight tenths adrift.
Mercedes, the team which once ruled Formula One, have endured a year to forget, but the early signs on the sport’s most famous streets will provide them with encouragement.
Hamilton, a three-time winner here, lapped the low-speed track 0.029 seconds clear of Piastri with Russell a tenth off his team-mate’s pace.
Norris, who chased Verstappen all the way to the chequered flag in Imola last weekend, ended the session 0.228 secs behind. Charles Leclerc finished fifth for Ferrari.
The running had earlier been suspended for five minutes after Zhou Guanyu clipped the barrier on the exit of Sainte Devote.
Bits of Zhou’s front wing fell on to the circuit with Leclerc running over the debris in his Ferrari.
Verstappen suggested the Monte Carlo layout would not suit his machinery, and the Dutchman – just as in practice in Imola last weekend – has struggled to get up to speed.
“The car is so loose on the bumps,” he reported.
“Any interaction with engine braking or brake bias is just making it all worse.”
Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez, who finished one place back in 12th, also picked up a puncture in the closing stages.
The second practice session, with rain forecast, gets under way at 5pm local time (4pm BST).