Monaco – EL1: The Spaniards celebrating, Albon in the wall

• Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) clearly dominated the first free practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix, this Friday, May 26, under the sun of the Principality. The Spaniard beat his idol and compatriot Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), then Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), who had good feelings. Could Ferrari, Aston Martin and Mercedes play for pole on Saturday, as expected? 
• The local hero Charles Leclerc he finished 5th, after having aborted his last attempt supposed to match his teammate's time. The Monegasque took a big oversteer at the esses of the swimming pool, and had to stop his attempt to avoid making a mistake. 
• The single-seaters are already a second faster than last year in free practice 1. (1'13"372 compared to 1'14"351). 
• Max Verstappen appeared very nervous. The Dutchman complained of instability and bottoming throughout the session, repeatedly cursing into his radio. Changes are expected on his Red Bull. The two single-seaters of Milton Keynes finished 4th and 6th, with Sergio Pérez ahead of Max Verstappen. 
• Logan sargeant experienced some problems during the session. The American complained of a power problem with his wheels and saw his session disrupted. He finished dead last.

🚩RED FLAGS 🚩

Alex Albon has crashed out of Sainte Devote. He reports he is okay over the radio

The session will not be summarized#MonacoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/fauEr8qv2q

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 26, 2023

• Two crashes to report, already. Nico Hulkenberg hit the left rear wheel, at the bend following the tunnel exit. The German made a mistake, but was able to restart and bring back his car in the pit lane, despite everything causing a red flag, in order to clear the debris 20 minutes from the end of the session. But it was nothing compared to Alex Albon's accident, a few seconds before the end of the session. The Thai lost his Williams at Sainte Dévote. After oversteering, Albon saw the rear of his car stall, and was impaled into the wall, damaging the entire left side of his Williams. 
• Free Practice 2 will take place this Friday at 17 p.m. The report can be found on AUTOhebdo.fr