Thursday's Summary: Ferrari back in action

After an absence of one year Formula 1 is back in Monaco. Last year the race could not take place because of the coronavirus pandemic and this year there is a reduced number of fans. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most iconic races on the calendar.

Red Bull off to a good start

During the first free practice in the morning Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen seem to be on the right track with a first and third time. Carlos Sainz in his Ferrari manages to split the two Red Bulls in the results table. Charles Leclerc has a difficult morning session and is unable to set a serious time due to a gearbox problem.

The session had few other problems. Only Fernando Alonso had a brief contact with the wall but only had a broken front wing and could continue his journey to the pitlane. Mercedes still has to get into their rhythm and Lewis Hamilton has to concede half a second to Perez in fifth place.

Ferrari very fast

In the second free practice session, things looked different. Charles Leclerc moves to the front and sets the fastest time of the day, followed by his teammate. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen had to concede four-tenths to the Ferrari. Verstappen complained afterwards that he didn't feel good in the car.

Whether Ferrari can keep up the pace in qualifying and in the race remains to be seen, but it looks like they can seriously fight for the podium and maybe even victory this weekend.