Hamilton tops first Monaco practice as Mercedes show promising pace

Lewis Hamilton topped first practice at the Monaco Grand Prix as Mercedes produced an encouraging showing at the famous street circuit.

​​​​​​Hamilton’s time of 1:12.169s put him marginally clear of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, with the seven-time world champion’s team-mate George Russell a tenth further back in third.

Lando Norris, who like the top three did his fastest lap on the softest – and theoretically fastest – tyre compound, was fourth for McLaren.

World championship leader Max Verstappen was 11th as he opted to use only the medium tyre, with Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez a place behind.

Ferrari, the team many consider to be favourites for victory in Monaco, also chose to save their soft tyres for later in the weekend but had Charles Leclerc in fifth with an impressive lap on the medium compound, while Carlos Sainz was 10th.

Hamilton’s position at the top of the timesheet was protected by a brief rain shower, which arrived as the cars returned to the track for the final 10 minutes of the session following a red flag resulting from Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu hitting a barrier.

More to follow…

Sky Sports F1’s live Monaco GP and Indy 500 schedule

Friday May 24
2pm: F2 Qualifying*
3.45pm: Monaco GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)*
5.30pm: The F1 Show
7.30pm: Indy 500 Pit Stop Challenge

Saturday May 25
9.40am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Monaco GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)*
1.10pm: F2 Sprint*
2.15pm: Monaco GP Qualifying build-up*
3pm: Monaco GP Qualifying*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Sunday May 26
6.55am: F3 Feature Race
8.35am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Monaco GP build-up*
2pm: The MONACO GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Monaco GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
5.30pm: The Indy 500

*also live on Sky Sports Main Event

It’s time for the most-famous F1 race of them all – the Monaco Grand Prix. Watch every session from the famous street circuit live on Sky Sports F1, with Sunday’s race at 2pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime

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