Ferrari Dominates in FP2 at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix
At the end of the Friday practice sessions for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, it was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who ended the day on top. The home hero put in a commanding performance in FP2, leaving his teammate Max Verstappen of Red Bull behind.
Leclerc’s impressive pace on the medium tires early on set the tone for Ferrari’s dominance in the second practice session. Even when the soft tires were brought into play for qualifying simulation runs, Verstappen could not match Leclerc’s best time on the harder compound.
It was predicted that Mercedes and Aston Martin would have a strong showing in Monaco, and they did just that in FP1 with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso leading the timesheets for their respective teams. However, McLaren’s strategy of completing different run plans to most of the other teams has left them yet to show their true potential over one lap.
What Happened on Friday?
The first practice session at Monaco was all about building driver confidence, with lap times falling significantly from the initial benchmarks to 1m12.169s by the end of the one-hour session. It was Hamilton who set the fastest time in FP1 for Mercedes, as the team benefitted from not having to compromise their set-up for both low-speed and high-speed corners, which are lacking in Monaco.
In FP2, Leclerc dominated the timesheets for most of the session, with his early pace on the medium compound being nearly a second quicker than his rivals. Even when the teams switched to the soft tires for qualifying simulations, Leclerc was still able to maintain his position at the top.
This dominance was further highlighted by the fact that Verstappen couldn’t even match Leclerc’s fastest time on the harder compound tires. However, towards the end of the session, both drivers had their fair share of complications on their fastest laps. Leclerc had to abandon his lap after encountering two oversteer moments at the hairpin and Portier, while Verstappen hit the barriers at Turn 7, damaging his left-rear and forcing him to pit for a check-up.
The end of the session saw Hamilton and Alonso as Leclerc’s nearest challengers, with the top two drivers in the championship being split by the two veterans of Formula 1. But it’s crucial to note that Hamilton’s fastest time came on used soft tires, compared to Leclerc who was on fresh rubber.
Kosport Magazine’s Take
Despite Leclerc’s strong showing in both FP1 and FP2, it’s still too early to predict a dominant performance from Ferrari in Monaco. Mercedes and Aston Martin have shown that they still have what it takes to compete at the front, and McLaren is yet to show their true pace over one lap. Verstappen’s occasional struggles only add to the uncertainty surrounding the grid for the Monaco Grand Prix.
However, it’s worth noting that when comparing their fastest laps, Verstappen loses a tenth of a second to Leclerc in the Loews hairpin alone. This just goes to show the level of control that the Ferrari driver had over his car on Friday.
As for the weather forecast for the rest of the weekend, it’s supposed to be dry for race day. Monaco is known for being difficult to overtake on, so race pace may not be as important as qualifying on the front row. With that in mind, it’s safe to say that Leclerc and Ferrari have laid down an early marker for the rest of the field. But can they maintain this dominance in the qualifying session? Only time will tell, and the unpredictable nature of the streets of Monaco will surely keep all the fans at the edge of their seats.
A Promising Start for Monaco Grand Prix
The first day of practice at the Monaco Grand Prix saw Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc top the timesheets in both sessions, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton closely behind. But while Leclerc’s fast lap was impressive, it came early in the session and may not represent the true pace of the top teams.
Kosport Magazine’s Take:
Despite Leclerc’s domination in practice, it’s important to note that his fastest lap was set before the track evolution in the final minutes of the session. Verstappen was also missing a significant amount of time due to the early incident that brought out the red flag. As such, it’s difficult to accurately predict the true pace of the top teams going into qualifying.
What the Data Tells Us
From analyzing the data, it’s clear that Red Bull was struggling in terms of straight-line speed compared to their rivals. Verstappen, in particular, was significantly slower in all acceleration zones around the short track. However, this could be attributed to their conservative engine modes in preparation for qualifying.
When comparing the top four teams, Ferrari seemed to have an edge in terms of low-speed turns, where Red Bull normally excels. Leclerc was able to outpace Verstappen by a tenth in the Loews hairpin alone. However, it’s possible that Red Bull will compensate for this with their engine modes in qualifying.
Kosport Magazine’s Take:
While Ferrari did appear to have an advantage in low-speed turns, Red Bull’s pace in the long run was more promising. Perez’s average lap time over 10 laps was faster than Ferrari’s best, indicating that they may have an edge in race pace.
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Perez also struggled with ride quality, particularly in the low ride heights of their cars. This could prove to be a challenge in the tight confines of Monaco, as seen when Perez hit the barriers at the top of the hill in FP1. Verstappen also had difficulties with his setup, preventing him from taking full advantage of the kerbs.
Despite these challenges, Red Bull and Ferrari are still considered the favorites for pole position, with McLaren posing a potential threat. However, anything can happen on this unique circuit, and a surprise from another team cannot be ruled out.
Kosport Magazine’s Take:
While Red Bull’s long-run pace may be superior to their rivals, it will all depend on where their drivers qualify on the grid. If they start from the back, it will be difficult for them to exploit their race pace.
This is shaping up to be an exciting race, with Leclerc and Ferrari looking strong on their home turf. But with the unpredictable nature of Monaco, anything could happen in qualifying and the race. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis from Kosport Magazine.<p
The Battle for Pole Position Heats Up at Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco – an iconic circuit, where heroes are made, and champions are crowned. As one of the oldest and most prestigious races on the Formula 1 calendar, it’s no surprise that all eyes were on the tight, twisting streets of Monaco as the teams and drivers battled it out for pole position.
Max Verstappen showed strong form in the early practice sessions, setting the fastest lap time of 1m12.648s. However, as the weekend progressed, it became apparent that the battle for pole position was going to be a close one.
Heading into qualifying, the Red Bull team were looking to continue their strong performance, with Verstappen leading the charge. However, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had other ideas. The Monegasque driver was determined to put on a show for his home crowd and prove that he could convert a strong Friday into an equally impressive weekend.
An Intense Qualifying Session
As the cars took to the track for qualifying, it was a tense affair with the top times constantly changing. Verstappen and Leclerc were exchanging blows, both determined to come out on top. it was Leclerc who emerged as the victor, claiming a sensational pole position with a lap time of 1m11.786s.
But it wasn’t just Verstappen and Leclerc in the mix. McLaren’s Carlos Sainz also put in a strong performance, showing consistent pace throughout the session. However, with five outliers removed from his average calculation, his true pace was not fully reflected.
Monaco’s Unique Challenges
Monaco is known for its narrow streets and tight corners, making it one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar. But it’s not just the physical demands that drivers have to contend with. As one paddock insider pointed out, the traffic factor at Monaco is unlike any other race, with drivers having to navigate their way through the narrow streets while also trying to set competitive lap times.
Graining on the front tyres was also a problem for many cars during Friday’s practice sessions, adding an extra layer of complexity to the race strategy.
What’s to Come
With Leclerc securing pole position, all eyes are on him to see if he can convert his strong Friday pace into a victory on raceday. However, Monaco is known for its unpredictable nature, and anything can happen on the streets of Monte Carlo.
One thing is for sure – the battle for pole position has set the stage for an intense and exciting race on Sunday. The iconic circuit of Monaco is ready to crown its newest hero – who will it be? Tune in on Sunday to find out.
Kosport Magazine’s Take
Monaco always delivers an intense and nail-biting qualifying session, and this year was no exception. Leclerc’s sensational pole position was well-deserved, and he will undoubtedly be seeking redemption after his heartbreak in the 2019 race.
But as we all know, anything can happen at Monaco, and Verstappen and the rest of the field will be determined to give him a run for his money. With the added challenge of managing tyre graining and traffic, we are in for an exciting race on Sunday. Don’t miss it!
