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Ferrari Extends Leclerc as Monaco Practice Shows Team Leading Pace

The long-term contract secures Ferrari's driver line-up and leaves the team testing whether its one-lap speed in Monaco can translate into a challenge to Mercedes' season lead.

Overview

  • Ferrari confirmed a long-term contract extension with Charles Leclerc on Wednesday, locking in the 28-year-old as the team's driver for the coming seasons.
  • Practice on Friday produced strong single-lap form for Ferrari with Leclerc fastest in FP1 and Lewis Hamilton quickest in FP2, placing the team at the top of the timesheets.
  • Two notable practice incidents interrupted the day: Red Bull's Isack Hadjar had a heavy crash at the Swimming Pool in FP1 but was uninjured, and Sergio Pérez stopped with a front brake fire near the Casino in FP2.
  • Race stewards investigated late arrivals at the drivers' press conference and issued suspended €5,000 fines to Ferrari and McLaren, illustrating routine weekend regulatory enforcement.
  • Despite Ferrari's Monaco pace, Mercedes enters qualifying as the season leader and favourite for the title, so the weekend will test whether Ferrari's circuit-specific advantage can produce a result that affects the championship battle.