Monaco Grand Prix: F3 Free Practice summary

Nikola Tsolov topped a frantic Free Practice session in Monaco as Formula 3 returned to the streets of Monte Carlo. The ART Grand Prix driver set a time of 1:25.622, ending a disrupted session ahead of Tim Tramnitz and Charlie Wurz.

With Gabriele Minì no longer on the F3 grid, a new driver will take his place in Sunday’s Feature Race. Tsolov started his weekend strong and sent a clear message.

Early Laps and Initial Leaders during F3 Practice session in Monaco

Drivers had only one 45-minute session to prepare for one of the hardest circuits on the calendar. The narrow streets, tight corners, and lack of run off made every lap a test of control and focus.

The session began under Virtual Safety Car conditions. Drivers used the opening minutes to get comfortable with the circuit. Noah Stromsted set the early pace, but Tim Tramnitz quickly moved to the top with a 1:28.875. As tyres warmed up, lap times dropped.

Tramnitz continued to lead the F3 practice session in Monaco with steady improvements. He posted a 1:27.733, then shaved off more time with a 1:27.459. MP Motorsport teammate Alessandro Giusti followed closely. Stromsted, Câmara, and Tsolov also looked quick.

Traffic and Tyre Strategies Shape the Session

The Monaco layout created problems as F3 drivers pushed for flying laps, during the Free Practice. Many found themselves caught behind slower cars or those on in-laps. The final corner became a bottleneck. The FIA’s decision to split Friday’s Qualifying into two groups looked justified.

Halfway through the session, most drivers were still running Medium tyres carried over from the Imola weekend. The track continued to improve, and drivers grew more confident. Tramnitz posted a 1:26.608, still on Mediums. Giusti and Tsolov stayed within half a second.

Red Flag Disrupts Momentum

With 16 minutes left, drivers switched to soft tyres. The plan was to simulate Qualifying runs during the Practice in Monaco. But that run never came. Noah Stromsted hit the wall at Turn 1 (Sainte Dévote), bringing out a Red Flag. His car suffered damage, but he climbed out safely.

The session restarted with only six minutes left. That gave teams and drivers little time to get Soft tyres into the right window. Some drivers hesitated. Others hit traffic again. A few found clean air.

Late surge from Tsolov

In the final minutes, Mari Boya briefly took P1 with a 1:26.393. Then Tsolov delivered a clean lap, putting himself on top with a 1:25.622. Tim Tramnitz followed with a strong time but couldn’t match Tsolov. Charlie Wurz, in the dying seconds, secured P3 with a 1:26.065.

Several drivers, including Brad Benavides, complained of traffic and slow cars blocking their laps. Câmara, who leads the championship, ended the session in fourth place.

All eyes on Qualifying

Monaco’s layout means qualifying is everything. Overtaking is nearly impossible. Minì won both his Monaco Feature Races from pole. Tsolov, a winner here last year in the Sprint Race, showed he might be the one to beat again.

Friday’s split-group Qualifying will be critical. Rain could return and shake things up even more.

Classification

1. N. Tsolov
2. T. Tranmitz
3. C. Wurz
4. R. Camara
5. C. Voisin
6. N. Leon
7. M. Stenshorne
8. M. Moya
9. L. Van Hoepen
10. T. Nael
11. S. Ramos
12. U. Ugochukwu
13. A. Giusti
14. R. Bilinski
15. G. Xie
16. I. Domingues
17. J. Dufek
18. T. Taponen
19. B. Benavides
20. B. Del Pino
21. N. Stromsted
22. T. Inthraphuvasak
23. J. Hedley
24. L. Sharp
25. N. Larcrote
26. M. Zagazeta
27. C. Ho
28. B. Badoer
29. J. Wharton
30. N. Marinangeli