Lewis Hamilton set the third fastest time in first practice for the Monaco Grand Prix – a session cut short when Williams’ Alex Albon hit the wall with a couple of minutes remaining. As for Hamilton, he was armed with the huge upgrade package that is making its debut around the principality’s tight streets. Hamilton finished the session, in 26C heat, six-tenths behind Ferrari’s pacesetter Carlos Sainz. Alonso, so impressive over the years at Monaco, was expected to be strong this weekend and started practice at 4-1 with the bookies for the win on Sunday. Sunday will mark 539 days since Hamilton last won a race, the longest drought of his career. Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell was 15th – 1.7 sec off the pace.

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