Charles Leclerc set the benchmark in the first session of his home race as he topped a twice-red-flagged Monaco Grand Prix FP1.The 2024 winner of the race underlined Ferrari's potential for victory this weekend with three purple sectors en route to a best lap of 1:13.978s, two-tenths faster than teammate Lewis Hamilton in second.Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull despite a number of frustrated radio messages across a truncated hour of running as the Monte Carlo streets bit hard.Leclerc's road to victory?Ferrari announced an extension to Leclerc's contract ahead of his home race, but when action got underway, the Monegasque was the first to extend the track limits, running straight on at the first Mirabeau on his out lap.— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026Early concerns were raised by Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson regarding the hairpin, the Kiwi was concerned that he didn't have sufficient steering lock to navigate the corner on an optimum line.Even in the opening 10 minutes of the session with all but one car on hard tires, it was clear that traffic would be even more important come qualifying, given the addition of Cadillac to the grid, drivers now having to find space with 21 others on track to post the perfect lap.The frustration of obstruction was proven when the Haas teammates took to the radio to voice displeasure at each other, as Oliver Bearman was more annoyed than Esteban Ocon despite being the car in front as communication wires were clearly crossed.As the initial long runs started to draw to a close around the midway point of the hour, Hamilton was the second driver to test an escape road, this time with a lock-up into Sainte-Devote.— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026There was a brief virtual safety car as marshals cleared debris from La Rascasse that was shed from an Alpine, though the neutralization lasted only around 10 seconds.Lando Norris got away with a huge moment through both parts of La Piscine, the back end stepping out on two occasions with the reigning champion jumping over the kerb but somehow keeping it out of the barriers on exit.But Isack Hadjar wasn't so fortunate as he rotated his Red Bull at the same corner of the track, first impacting the front of his car and then wrenched around to the rear, causing extensive damage.— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026With the action stopped for just under 10 minutes, the first signs of soft tire running came from Cadillac when the green light was illuminated with a quarter of the session remaining, though initially the majority of the field remained on the mediums.Lawson almost followed Hadjar into an early end to the session as the Racing Bull snapped out of shape at La Piscine, somehow getting away with a tap on the inside apex barrier.But red flags were needed again with three minutes remaining when Fernando Alonso lost the Aston Martin under braking at the Nouvelle Chicane, leaving debris strewn across the track after having hit the wall on the outside. That essentially ended the session, with Leeclerc heading Hamilton and Verstappen.Kimi Antonelli was fourth ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell, while Norris was sixth in the lead McLaren.Audi looks mighty impressive around here and Nico Hulkenberg set the seventh-fastest time, separated by Gabriel Bortoleto and Oscar Piastri.Audi Revolut F1 TeamPierre Gasly rounded out the top 10 in the Alpine, narrowly ahead of both Williams drivers, led by Alex Albon.Sergio Perez was impressive for Cadillac to get to P14 in the team's first Monaco outing, a continuation of form from Canada.Racing Bulls' struggles were confirmed by the timesheets, with Arvid Lindblad and Lawson 18th and 19th. Matters were made worse with Lawson facing a trip to the stewards for leaving the pits under a red light, while Lindblad impeded Piastri.F1 Monaco Grand Prix 2026: FP1 ResultsPositionTeam / DriverGap [s]1Charles Leclerc / Ferrari1:13.9782Lewis Hamilton / Ferrari+0.2263Max Verstappen / Red Bull+0.5134Kimi Antonelli / Mercedes+0.5595George Russell / Mercedes+1.0056Lando Norris / McLaren+1.3137Nico Hulkenberg / Audi+1.3658Oscar Piastri / McLaren+1.5879Gabriel Bortoleto / Audi+1.77210Pierre Gasly / Alpine+1.85011Alex Albon / Williams+2.01112Carlos Sainz / Williams+2.06313Isack Hadjar / Red Bull+2.17014Sergio Perez / Cadillac+2.19215Franco Colapinto / Alpine+2.21116Oliver Bearman / Haas+2.31417Esteban Ocon / Haas+2.35518Arvid Lindblad / Racing Bulls+2.41119Liam Lawson / Racing Bulls+2.45320Fernando Alonso / Aston Martin+2.70021Valtteri Bottas / Cadillac+3.48222Lance Stroll / Aston Martin+3.578Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow