Monaco GP Friday delivered a surprisingly lively scenario, with a Ferrari more incisive than expected (even though hints had been made about potential glimpses of competitiveness) and a typically aggressive Charles Leclerc at ease on his home streets. Of course, being fastest in both practice sessions has the Tifosi dreaming, and based on the data, the performance is indeed solid, but caution is necessary.
No setup compromises, a huge advantage for Ferrari
The SF-25 was able to hit the track without any particular setup compromises: the circuit requires a configuration tailored exclusively to low-speed sections, and above all, anything related to ride height is no longer as penalizing as on other tracks. Monaco has the slowest average speed on the calendar, the shortest race by distance, and the lowest fuel consumption. This results in almost no concern about plank wear, eliminating the need to raise the car above normal levels, while all other teams are forced to increase ground clearance due to manholes and surface irregularities, effectively putting everyone on a level playing field. Overall, the SF-25 seemed to move in the right direction between sessions, showing good balance and, especially, a rear end capable of putting power down—displaying a level of traction not yet seen this year. This also appeared, however, thanks to an engine mode that, based on the data, looked more generous than rivals’ (perhaps to check whether such torque levels could be used), including McLaren, with the gap line clearly increasing along the straights—a telltale sign of greater power output. Ferrari’s traction capabilities deserve emphasis, confirming a much softer rear-end setup than seen so far this year, with positive repercussions on performance.
McLaren the hidden frontrunner, a battle with Ferrari?
Delving into the details still reveals the strength of the championship-leading team. McLaren appears to have a car that might even be the best suited to the narrow streets of Monaco. It was fastest in the slower sections of the second sector and very conservative on the power unit front. While it seemed to lag behind Ferrari during FP2, the impression is that by increasing power and pushing their drivers to take more risks, McLaren could become the benchmark. For instance, the papaya team already showed improvements on the uphill section from Massenet to Casino—an area of struggle during FP1—thanks to the downforce at their disposal. It feels like Andrea Stella’s team still has significant room for growth, making the path ahead difficult for even a Ferrari in near-perfect form.
Ahead of qualifying, should current performance levels hold, there’s another strategic element to consider: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are fully involved in the title fight, whereas Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have more short-term goals. This could weigh heavily in how much risk each driver is willing to take in qualifying. In Monaco, more than anywhere else, Saturday afternoon decides everything—and those with more to lose might avoid pushing to the absolute limit. One final technical note on the MCL39: in Piastri’s off-track moment, it became evident that once he braked slightly too late, he could no longer load the front end, despite heavy braking. The car’s extreme anti-dive setup was clear, with the suspension refusing to compress and the front beginning to slide with understeer and a lack of direction. This confirms a front end—and a car overall—that remains tricky to drive, an issue Norris has mentioned since the start of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Mercedes struggling, Red Bull and Max Verstappen still in play after overnight adjustments
As for the Brackley team, Russell and Antonelli failed to impress even in FP2. The usual strengths—particularly traction—were absent from the data. Returning to the pre-Imola rear suspension is a bad sign, and the setup seems to be posing more than a few challenges. It’s a lackluster picture, at least for now.
Red Bull’s situation is different. Once again, they ran with reduced engine modes and the car showed numerous dynamic response issues. Still, this is nothing new: the Milton Keynes team has often corrected such problems overnight between Saturday and Sunday with significant setup work. Based on the data, if the usual Saturday performance leap arrives, Max Verstappen will be very much back in the fight.
In conclusion, Friday showed a competitive Ferrari—but with caveats—especially given a McLaren that appears to have room to grow. Red Bull and Max Verstappen can never be counted out, so all that’s left is to await one of the most beautiful days in the Formula 1 calendar: Monaco Saturday.
— see video above —
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