Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, secured his 24th career pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix, his home race. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Leclerc, who outperformed McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz. The Monaco Grand Prix promises an exciting race, especially with reigning champion Max Verstappen starting from sixth after a crucial mistake.
Qualifying Session Overview
Leclerc led most of the weekend, topping two of the three practice sessions. Despite facing competition from Mercedes, McLaren, and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, he secured the top spot. The McLaren duo of Piastri and Norris, dressed in Senna tribute livery, posed the closest threat, qualifying second and fourth respectively, with Sainz positioned between them in third.
Max Verstappen’s Uncharacteristic Error
Reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen encountered a setback in the final qualifying round. He clipped the wall going into the first corner of Saint Devote, trying to surpass Leclerc’s speed. This error, unusual for Verstappen, forced him to start the race from sixth, a challenging position on a track notorious for difficult overtaking. In his post-qualifying interview, Verstappen attributed the mistake to compensating for his RB20 struggling over the kerbs.
Mercedes’ Performance
George Russell outqualified Verstappen, securing fifth place. His Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton, finished seventh, marking the seventh time this season Hamilton could not match Russell’s pace. The mixed results for Mercedes indicate ongoing challenges within the team.
Standout Midfield Performances
Yuki Tsunoda impressed by securing eighth place for VCARB. Alex Albon’s Williams followed in ninth, and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten for Alpine. Gasly’s performance came at the expense of his teammate Esteban Ocon, who will start 11th after a strong but insufficient Q2 effort.
Q1 Session Upsets
The Q1 session witnessed major upsets with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso failing to advance to Q2. Perez, the 2022 Monaco GP winner, struggled and managed only 18th place. Alonso, hindered by traffic, ended up 16th, continuing his poor form in recent races. Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu occupied the last two spots on the grid, highlighting their challenging session.
Starting Grid for the Monaco Grand Prix
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- Yuki Tsunoda (VCARB)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
- Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)
- Daniel Ricciardo (AlphaTauri)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Logan Sargeant (Williams)
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
- Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)
- Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)
Conclusion
Charles Leclerc’s pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix highlights his exceptional skill and determination. Despite fierce competition and a challenging circuit, he managed to secure the top spot. With Max Verstappen starting from sixth and several notable performances in the midfield, the Monaco Grand Prix promises to be an exhilarating race. Enthusiasts and fans eagerly await the race to see if Leclerc can convert his pole position into a victory on his home ground. Read more Ducati Unveils Two New Concept Motorcycles
Source https://www.carandbike.com/
