Formula1

Monaco GP: Leclerc takes provisional pole in qualifying at his home race

Max Verstappen, who leads the world championship, qualified sixth at the Monaco Grand Prix, while Charles Leclerc defeated Oscar Piastri to take pole position.

After winning second and third practice, Leclerc entered the session as the clear favourite. Nevertheless, the Ferrari driver had to perform admirably in his home race, and he did so with a breathtaking lap of 1:10.270.

Piastri of McLaren maintained the strong form he displayed all weekend long to join Leclerc in the front row. Following Carlos Sainz’s victory over Lando Norris, Ferrari-McLaren will also be on the second row.

Leader of the world championship Max Verstappen had trouble controlling his Red Bull during practice, and he probably might have done better than sixth after crashing into a wall on his last flying lap.

Between the two Mercedes cars is Verstappen, who was denied a record-breaking ninth consecutive pole position. George Russell finishes fifth by reversing the practice form guide, and Lewis Hamilton comes in seventh.

Sergio Perez’s unexpected withdrawal from the race in the first half of the session added to Red Bull’s problems, as the Mexican was left with little chance of earning big points on Sunday from his position of 18th on the grid.

Yuki Tsunoda of RB, Alex Albon of Williams, and Pierre Gasly of Alpine were the main winners of Perez and Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin’s early withdrawals. These three drivers put up great performances to complete the top 10.

As he attempts to win at home for the first time after taking pole position in 2021 and 2022, Leclerc will under increased pressure on Sunday.

Due to his unlucky results at his home track, many have speculated that the 26-year-old has a “curse” at the renowned street circuit. In order to win Sunday’s race and earn what would be an incredibly popular triumph, he will need to remain concentrated for the full 78 laps.

Monaco GP Qualifying Timesheet

 
Driver Team Time
1) Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:10.270
2) Oscar Piasti McLaren +0.154
3) Carlos Sainz Ferrari +0.248
4) Lando Norris McLaren +0.272
5) George Russell Mercedes +0.273
6) Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.297
7) Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.351
8) Yuki Tsunoda RB +0.588
9) Alex Albon Williams +0.678
10) Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.041
Knocked out in Q2
11) Esteban Ocon Alpine 1:11.285
12) Nico Hulkenberg Haas 1:11.440
13) Daniel Ricciardo RB 1:11.482
14) Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:11.563
15) Kevin Magnussen Haas 1:11.725
Knocked out in Q1
16) Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:12.019
17) Logan Sargeant Williams 1:12.020
18) Sergio Perez Red Bull 1:12.060
19) Valtteri Bottas Sauber 1:12.512
20) Zhou Guanyu Sauber 1:13.028

Other posts by