Max third in Monaco FP1

Published on 20 May 2021 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen clocked the third fastest time of the first practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix. His Red Bull Racing team mate, Sergio Perez, was quickest on the streets of Monte Carlo with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in second.

At the start of the session, Max’ first flying lap propels him to P2, despite losing time behind Charles Leclerc in the final sector. The later is then called into the pits, where his Ferrari mechanics diagnose a gearbox issue, resulting in Leclerc having to sit out the rest of FP1.

Fernando Alonso causes the first virtual safety of the weekend after damaging his Alpine’s front wing coming out of the final corner. The Spaniard has to return to the pits slowly to avoid further damage.

As soon as the track is cleared, Max, on the hard Pirellis, heads out and clocks the best time thus far. He cannot enjoy top spot for long as both Mercedes pip the Dutchman on their first runs on the medium tyres.

With twenty minutes to go, the Red Bulls take to the track on fresh rubber. Once again, it proves a challenge to complete a lap without traffic. When the Bulls are able to get a clean run in, Max is quickest, with Perez setting the second fastest lap. The latter does so on the soft compound.

In the closing stages, the teams focus more on data gathering than on outright lap time. Nevertheless, both Perez and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz manage to improve their laps and end the session in P1 and P2.

Contest Monaco GP: win a 1:43 scale model of Max' 10th F3-win in 2014!

Results first free practice Monaco: