Ahead of Qualifying, Kimi Antonelli topped the timings during FP3 at the 2026 F1 Monaco GP, full report below.
Back to a traditional weekend format, Friday practice proved to be a strong day for Ferrari and their drivers, as home hero Charles Leclerc topped FP1 while Lewis Hamilton led FP2. The duo consistently traded fastest times throughout the day and occupied the top two positions. However, as teams continue to acclimatise ahead of Qualifying, the fight for pole position this afternoon remains wide open.
Final practice session at the 2026 F1 Monaco GP
After a successful day for the team, Hamilton was the first driver out on track, with Valtteri Bottas following closely behind. Having fitted the soft-compound tyres to start the session, the seven-time World Champion was the first to embark on a fast lap, crossing the line with a 1:15.246. Next across the line, Leclerc replaced his teammate at the top with a 1:15.184.
Meanwhile, Bottas emerged from the tunnel and reported to his team a similar issue to the one Sergio Perez had experienced yesterday. Shortly after, Perez reported smoking brakes once again. After a battery-related issue ended his FP2 session, Lando Norris headed out on track to make up for the time he lost.
Continuing to find his rhythm, Hamilton’s next fast lap saw him go back to the top with a 1:14.390. Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson found some pace around the Circuit de Monaco, as the New Zealander’s lap was enough for him to slot into P3. However, fifteen minutes into the session, George Russell was the first driver to break into the one minute and thirteens, with a 1:13.902.
After a slow Friday, both Mercedes cars looked to have found some pace overnight, as Russell and Kimi Antonelli occupied the top two positions.
Halfway point into the session
Hamilton continued to report issues with his seats, having struggled with it during the sessions on Friday as well. On a push lap heading down to the hairpin, Franco Colapinto spun around before he managed to get going again. The Alpine driver’s rear wing sustained a significant amount of damage, ending his session. However, with thirty minutes remaining in the session, drivers continued on their soft tyre runs.
After a promising Friday, both Audis found themselves in the top ten, with Gabriel Bortoleto in P8 and Nico Hülkenberg in P10. As we reached the closing stage of FP3, the track started to quiet down as the majority of the field opted to return to the pits. Lighting up the timings, Antonelli went to the top with a 1:12.720, putting six tenths between himself and Leclerc in P2.
With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Antonelli, Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell and Max Verstappen completed the top five.
Red flag for Bearman in the barrier
Having crashed on the way up the hill to the casino, Ollie Bearman made contact with the barriers, sustaining significant damage to his car. With an impressive quick recovery effort from the marshalls, the session resumed with 3 minutes 40 seconds on the clock.
Antonelli finished FP3 at the front of the timings, with the Ferrari duo of Leclerc and Hamilton rounding out the top 3. Russell, Verstappen, Piastri, Bortoleto and Hadjar were the drivers in the top 8.
Full 2026 F1 Monaco GP FP3 results
