Monaco Grand Prix – Free Practice 3: Perez beats Leclerc

This third free practice session was the last chance for drivers to properly tame the challenging Monaco circuit. However, they must be careful not to push too hard and end up in the barriers, which could result in being unable to participate in the qualifying session.

After 10 minutes of the session, it was the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz who occupied the first and second positions respectively on the time sheet. The improvements made by the Scuderia in Barcelona, making the car more agile in slow corners, are extremely beneficial for them on the Monaco circuit.

At the halfway point, Sergio Perez took the top spot with a 1’13’297. Charles Leclerc set the exact same time just a few seconds later. Ferrari and Red Bull were in a league of their own. In 5th place was Pierre Gasly, over a second slower than the fastest time. However, a few minutes later, the Normand driver impressed by placing his modest AlphaTauri in 3rd position. The Frenchman is determined to score a lot of points in Monaco after a very challenging start to the season.

It was only with 10 minutes remaining that a driver hit the barriers. It happened to be Lance Stroll. The Canadian missed the entry to the swimming pool chicane and by gripping the inside kerb, it caused him to take off and break his front wing upon contact with the barriers. The Aston Martin driver was able to continue, saving the session from a red flag.

Ferrari and Red Bull are not the only teams to have matched each other. In fact, the midfield was also very close. Gasly’s AlphaTauri, Norris’ McLaren, Magnussen’s Haas, both Mercedes, and Alonso’s Alpine, all in the Top 10, were only separated by three tenths.