Kimi Antonelli showcased his skills during the final practice session in Monaco, topping the timesheets with a remarkable lap time. Driving for Mercedes, Antonelli clocked 1 minute and 12.720 seconds on soft tires, outpacing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton by a significant margin.
Final Practice Highlights
The session, which took place before the critical qualifying hour, allowed drivers to fine-tune their cars on the challenging streets of Monaco. Antonelli’s performance was particularly impressive, as he created over three-tenths of an advantage over Leclerc.
Session Overview
- Best Lap Time: Kimi Antonelli – 1:12.720
- Runner Up: Charles Leclerc
- Third Place: Lewis Hamilton
- Start Time: 12:30 PM local time
McLaren faced challenges early on, as Lando Norris’ car required extensive repairs after an issue in the previous practice session. They worked late into the night to address wiring issues, adhering to permitted regulations.
Braking Issues for Drivers
Several drivers reported brake problems during the session. Valtteri Bottas encountered smoke from his brakes and returned to the pits. His teammate Sergio Perez also faced issues, resulting in a red flag during FP2 due to a brake fire.
Key Performances
As the practice continued, Leclerc initially set the benchmark at 1:15.184. Hamilton quickly surpassed him, establishing dominance with a time in the 1:14 range, while Norris briefly led before Antonelli’s standout performance.
Antonelli’s fastest lap stood out as he improved his time in sectors one and two, navigating the circuit with finesse. However, a red flag interruption due to Ollie Bearman’s crash at Massenet slightly halted momentum.
Final Standings
- 1st: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:12.720
- 2nd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 3rd: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- 4th: George Russell (Mercedes)
- 5th: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 6th: Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 7th: Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
With qualifying set to begin shortly after, teams now have limited time to regroup and refine their strategies. The tension builds as drivers gear up for a crucial qualifying session that will determine their starting positions for the race.
