Ferrari make big statement in Monaco practice runs

MONACO, June 5 : Ferrari laid down a strong marker ahead of qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton went quickest in Friday's two free practice sessions.

After five rounds of Mercedes dominance, the return to Europe on the twisty principality street circuit has been flagged as an opportunity for their rivals, with Ferrari regarded as favourites for Sunday's race.

They lived up to their billing with Monaco-born Leclerc delighting the home fans by going quickest in the first run ahead of Hamilton before the positions were flipped in the later session on a warm and sunny afternoon in the principality.

Hamilton is still hunting his first victory since joining Ferrari before the start of last season but after finishing second in Canada last month the seven-time world champion arrived in Monaco rejuvenated.

Embracing Monte Carlo's high fashion in a sparkly pink helmet, he clocked one minute 13.026 in the second session, 0.111 ahead of 2024 winner Leclerc. Leclerc had topped the charts with 1:13.978 earlier in the day, with Hamilton 0.226 back.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was third in both sessions as he also showed he could be in the mix on Sunday, although his team mate Isack Hadjar suffered a scare in the first practice as he slammed into the safety fencing on the exit of the swimming pool chicane before walking away unhurt.

World championship leader Kimi Antonelli, seeking his fifth win in a row, and his Mercedes team mate George Russell flipped fourth and fifth places in the two practice sessions as the German outfit struggled to match the Ferraris.

"We expected Ferrari to be the guys to beat, and a lot of people thought that was just chat, but they clearly seem to be," said Russell, who trails