Verstappen sets the pace, but it's exciting

In training on Friday, world champion Max Verstappen secured first place ahead of local hero Charles Leclerc in the faster second one-hour session in the late afternoon at the Red Bull. On the 3,337 kilometer long lap in the principality, the two were only separated by 65 thousandths of a second.

Carlos Sainz came third. Leclerc's Spanish Ferrari team-mate had set the fastest lap in the first free practice session, but in the second he felt the dangers of the narrow course when he more than just brushed the guard rails with his car at the level of the Monaco outdoor swimming pool. Sainz was forced to cool down prematurely.

Alonso wants to end his dry spell Fernando Alonso reiterated his hopes of his first victory in ten years. While his Aston Martin predecessor Sebastian Vettel (35) was in a good mood and visibly relaxed strolling through the paddock for the first time as a Formula 1 pensioner, the 41-year-old Spaniard took fourth place late in the afternoon. He had previously finished second.

The local hero: Charles Leclerc © APA/afp / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Alonso has not won a Grand Prix since May 2013. Formula 1 had already expected the date on race Sunday before the start of training: 28+5=33. It would be Alonso's 33rd career victory in the premier motorsport class. He himself emphasized: "If I said I came here and didn't think I could win the race, I would be lying." He had already achieved victories in Monaco in 2006 and 2007.

Mercedes with updates Leclerc has never been able to win there in Formula 1. A year ago he at least reached the finish, but after pole, the only real Monegasque didn't get past fourth place. The victory was secured by Sergio Perez, who only managed seventh place overall on Friday.

It will be exciting to see whether Mercedes, with record world champion Lewis Hamilton and a practically completely renovated car, can intervene at the front on the narrow course. In the first free practice session, the Brit made it to third place behind Sainz and Alonso. The innovations to the Mercedes were actually planned for Imola a week ago. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was canceled due to storms and severe flooding.

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Verstappen sets the pace, but it's exciting

The fight for pole position at the Formula 1 classic in Monaco will probably be a heart-stopping decision.

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