Hamilton Leads Ferrari One-Two in Monaco FP2 as Norris Hit by Engine Issue

Lewis Hamilton delivered a statement of intent in Monaco by topping Free Practice 2, outpacing Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc to give the Scuderia a one-two. His benchmark of 1:13.026 marked his first FP2-leading effort since the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, sending a clear signal ahead of Saturday's qualifying.

Why it matters:

Monaco is a track where raw pace around tight barriers matters more than anywhere else. Hamilton's edge over FP1 pacesetter Leclerc suggests Ferrari has found a sweet spot with its 2026 package on the unforgiving streets. With Max Verstappen settling for third and Lando Norris hampered by a power unit issue, Ferrari holds the early advantage in the fight for pole.

The details:

• Hamilton set a 1:13.026 to lead FP2, finishing 0.111 seconds clear of Leclerc in his strongest practice showing in nearly a year.
• Leclerc, who topped FP1, could not match his teammate's ultimate pace but secured a comfortable Ferrari one-two.
• Max Verstappen placed third, while Mercedes' George Russell took fourth ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli in fifth, the final driver within a second of Hamilton.
• Lando Norris endured a curtailed session after a McLaren engine shutdown limited him to just eight laps, costing valuable high-fuel and qualifying simulation data.

What's next:

With Ferrari commanding the practice order, attention turns to Saturday qualifying, where track position is everything at Monaco. Norris and McLaren will race against time to resolve their engine concerns before the session. If Ferrari converts its practice speed into pole, both Hamilton and Leclerc will be perfectly positioned to control Sunday's race from the front.