Ferrari established themselves as the team to beat in Monaco Friday practice, with Charles Leclerc topping FP1 and Lewis Hamilton leading FP2. Both drivers pushed the limits, even kissing barriers, and expressed confidence in their pace, setting the stage for a potential intra-team fight for pole position.
Mercedes showed decent speed but acknowledged Ferrari's edge. George Russell improved throughout the day, while Kimi Antonelli found the car challenging, particularly in the middle sector. Both Mercedes drivers know they need a significant step to contend for the front row, though the team is encouraged by the W17's initial suitability to the track.
McLaren, celebrating their 1000th Grand Prix, had a difficult start. Lando Norris suffered a suspected battery issue in FP2, cutting his session short and preventing a soft tire run. Oscar Piastri also struggled, hitting walls. McLaren appears off the pace, facing an uphill battle for qualifying Saturday.
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