GP Monaco 2026 fp2 results: Ferrari makes a strong statement in second practice
The second free practice session at the Monte Carlo circuit has come to an end. Here is how the action unfolded in FP2.
GP Monaco 2026 fp2 results – After a first practice session in which Ferrari impressed and topped the timing sheets, it was time for confirmation in the second hour of running, taking place just one day before qualifying. A particularly important session to understand the competitive order ahead of Saturday’s grid-deciding shootout, with qualifying in Monaco carrying enormous significance.
Gp Monaco 2026 fp2 summary
The session began with the medium tyre playing a major role. As in FP1, lap times dropped rapidly in the opening stages as the track evolved. It is worth noting that the Red Bull RB22 of Isack Hadjar remained in the garage during the early minutes while the team repaired damage sustained after his crash at the Swimming Pool section in the first practice session.
Ferrari picked up exactly where it left off, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton immediately placing the SF-26 at the top of the timesheets. Shortly after, Andrea Kimi Antonelli briefly split the two Ferraris, before Charles Leclerc improved by a few thousandths to reclaim the benchmark. Max Verstappen then responded, going fastest with a 1:14.008 for Red Bull. However, his time at the top was short-lived, as Lewis Hamilton set a 1:13.729 to move into provisional P1.
The first major drama of the day came when Lando Norris stopped his McLaren MCL40 at the exit of the tunnel. A technical issue caused the British driver’s car to lose power before the braking zone for the chicane. A Virtual Safety Car was deployed just as Charles Leclerc was pushing for an improvement on his lap.
Once the track was cleared, normal running resumed, with both Ferrari drivers returning to action. Charles Leclerc then went quickest overall with a 1:13.613. Around 23 minutes into the session, Isack Hadjar finally rejoined the track after the Red Bull mechanics completed repairs to the RB22.
With 35 minutes remaining, teams switched to the soft compound tyres. Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen were among the first to fit the C5 tyres. Verstappen immediately went fastest with a 1:13.467. Using the same medium tyre set from earlier, Lewis Hamilton moved up to P2, just 82 thousandths behind the Dutchman, while Charles Leclerc had returned to the garage. George Russell also delivered a strong lap, finishing just 28 thousandths off Verstappen in P2.
Ferrari then responded with the soft compound tyres. Verstappen improved again, lowering the benchmark to 1:13.194, but his time at the top did not last long. Charles Leclerc went fastest, taking P1 by 57 thousandths of a second, delivering a strong lap despite not being perfect in sectors one and two, although he excelled in sector three.
Lewis Hamilton then produced the standout lap of the session, almost breaking into the 1:12s with a 1:13.026, securing the fastest time of FP2 and confirming Ferrari’s strong overall form.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli struggled to extract performance from his Mercedes, expressing concerns over team radio about the unpredictable behaviour of the W17 in the middle sector. Early-season concerns from the Silver Arrows camp appear to be materialising in Monaco.
There were also issues for Sergio Perez, whose Cadillac showed smoke inside the cockpit, with the problem traced to the front-right brake. A red flag was issued with four minutes remaining, effectively freezing the classification.
Gp Monaco 2026 fp2 classification
Lewis Hamilton
Charles Leclerc
Max Verstappen
George Russell
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Isack Hadjar
Oscar Piastri
Nico Hulkenberg
Gabriel Bortoleto
Oliver Bearman
Pierre Gasly
Carlos Sainz
Alexander Albon
Arvid Lindblad
Franco Colapinto
Liam Lawson
Esteban Ocon
Sergio Perez
Lando Norris
Fernando Alonso
Valtteri Bottas
Lance Stroll
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