Monaco Grand Prix FP2: Lewis Hamilton takes over the lead as Ferrari remain on top

Friday, 05 June 2026 at 18:00

Ferrari continued their strong form at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, but it was Lewis Hamilton who was fastest this time as Charles Leclerc was second fastest with Max Verstappen third once again.

The seven-time Formula 1 Champion posted a lap time of 1:13.026 and was 0.111s faster than Leclerc who was second.

Verstappen was a surprise once again as he was best of the rest with third place and just 0.168s off Hamilton's benchmark time.

Mercedes came next and but the tables have turned as it was George Russell who was fastest in fourth, almost four tenths off the pace and 0.124s clear of his teammate, Kimi Antonelli who was not happy with his W17 in the second sector of the track and was fifth fastest.

Isack Hadjar did well enough following his crash in FP1 and went sixth fastest in the other Red Bull car but over a second off the pace.

McLaren had a tough session as Lando Norris' car broke down early in the session while Oscar Piastri was only seventh, 1.062s from the top.

Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto concluded Friday's running for Audi on a positive as the German was eighth fastest while the Brazilian was ninth.

Oliver Bearman completed the top ten for Haas.

Buildup towards FP2

Ferrari had the start many expected for their weekend in Monaco with Leclerc topping the timing screens and Hamilton second fastest.

However it was a bit of a surprise to see Verstappen in third given the streets of the principality should not treat the Red Bull Racing RB22 very well.

And while Antonelli was close behind the Dutchman, the gap to Russell was huge which means the Briton's side of the Mercedes garage has some head scratching to do for FP2 and beyond.

McLaren did not have a great start to their 1000th Grand Prix while Hadjar will be ruing the visit to the barriers.

So will Ferrari keep their edge? Can Hamilton close the gap to Leclerc or are the home vibes and new Ferrari contract too strong for anyone to be able to beat the Monegasque?

Has Mercedes been holding back? But what of Russell? why was he so far off Antonelli?

Let's see if FP2 can start providing answers.

FP2 Session Highlights

Conditions remained clear and dry for FP2 as track temperatures were 32 degrees Celsius as air temperature was 23 degrees.

Russell led the way out on track with Verstappen behind him as drivers did not waste any time in the pits.

Hadjar, on the other hand, remained in the Red Bull garage as the mechanics continued work on his car.

All the cars started on the Mediums except for the Aston Martins of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll who were on Softs.

🟢 GREEN FOR FP2 🟢

The Mercedes of George Russell leads us out into the sunshine for the second hour of practice 👀#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/pVII68c5l3
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026

Pierre Gasly reported he had a cable on his left arm which as "annoying" him and receives apologies from his engineer.

Liam Lawson touched the wall coming out of the swimming pool chicane but got away with it. Russell had a wobble but managed to hold it.

Monaco Drift for George Russell 🤯💨#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/nXGbKbT5AD
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026

13 minutes into the session, Red Bull finished the repair of Hadjar's car and sent him on his way.

But soon the Yellow flag came out as Norris' car shut down coming out of the tunnel and towards the chicane. The Briton parked it and the Virtual Safety Car was out.

⚠️ VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR ⚠️

NOOO! Lando Norris has stopped on track in his McLaren at the Nouvelle Chicane 😮#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/tRvu1txM2R
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026

Normal running resumed with over 40 minutes on the clock and soon Hamilton reported that his seat keeps "clicking".

Arvid Lindblad then reported that he drover over something at the swimming pool section and that his car understeered after that asking the team to investigate.

Almost 25 minutes into the session, Verstappen bolted on a set of Softs and started a lap. Antonelli, Russell, Hulkenberg, and Gasly did the same. Other teams soon followed suit.

Soft tyres equipped for Max Verstappen! 🛞🙌

The Red Bull jumps up to P3 with a 1:13.902, and the fastest final sector 👀#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/Bf9KROSbmy
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026

Replay showed Hamilton getting super close to the wall at Turn 1, 1 cm according to F1 TV's graphics.

Piastri then brushed the wall coming out of the hairpin and heading into Turn 7. He got away with it.

Piastri swipes the barrier at Turn 7, but continues on! 🤯💨#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/U5wS6h8oHT
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026

Antonelli complained about his W17 and radioed that it was unpredictable in Sector 2.

The Franco Colapinto locked up going into Turn 1 and hit he barrier hard. He kept going through but went back to the pits for a checkup.

Just wait for the marshal reaction! 😅

Colapinto clobbers the barrier after locking up into Turn 1 💥💨#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/IYWoUhPHel
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026

Alex Albon had a scary moment with one of the Racing Bulls coming up towards Rascasse and wasn't happy about that.

The field then switched back to Mediums for some long runs towards the end of the session.

Less than five minutes from the end, Sergio Perez parked his Cadillac on the side of the road with smoke in the cockpit and flames coming out of the brakes.

🔴 RED FLAG 🔴

Sergio Perez comes to a stop with a front right brake fire on his Cadillac 😯

He gets out of the car at Casino Square#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/5jG5WWKd3s
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 5, 2026

The Red flag was out immediately. The session was resumed with two minutes remaining.

That gave drivers the chance to do practice starts which concluded the session.