Monaco – Leclerc still on pole at home, chaotic end of qualifying

This time, we cannot say that he obtained his pole position thanks to a red flag! Or at least not through his fault… Irresistible since the start of the weekend, Charles Leclerc took his fifth pole position of the season on the streets where he grew up. In 2021, he was looking for the top position but was unable to achieve it due to his crash in qualifying. This time, the Monegasque will have all the luxury of fully enjoying it this Sunday.

Like last year, a new red flag ended the session. On his last flying lap, Checo Perez indeed made a mistake at turn 8, located just before the tunnel. The Mexican lost his car on the right while putting the gas back on and hit the wall. In his wake, Carlos Sainz saw the yellow flag late and went to crash into Perez, thereby preventing Max Verstappen to improve your time. 

Sergio Perez made a mistake in Monaco. © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Given the first sector he had just completed, Charles Leclerc would surely not have been worried about pole position, but Perez's accident undoubtedly prevented championship leader Max Verstappen from seeking a possible second place. , he who was improving in his first sector. Behind his teammate since the start of the festivities in the Principality, the Dutchman will therefore start in fourth position, behind Perez and Sainz, who allowed Ferrari to secure a 100% Ferrari second front row. 

Gasly, the trouble continues…

Behind the fantastic four is Lando Norris who set the best time. The Briton finished best of the others, according to the established expression. Behind him, George Russell was once again ahead Lewis Hamilton in qualifying. The Englishman from Tydd St Giles actually set the 6th fastest time of the session, while his seven-time world champion teammate could not do better than 8th. Fernando Alonso inserted himself between the two pilots Mercedes and anticipated Esteban Ocon, 10th. Note the fine performance of Sebastian Vettel, 9th, when his teammate Lance stroll didn't even make it past Q1... 

In difficulty since the start of the weekend – not to say since the start of the season – Daniel Ricciardo was eliminated in Q2, while Lando Norris qualified in 5th position on the grid. The Australian will start far from the points zone in 14th place, having won in the streets of the Principality in 2018. Ricciardo will also be inserted between the two drivers Haas Kevin Magnussen (13e) and Mick Schumacher (15th). Disappointing performer Valtteri Bottas with Alfa Romeo also. The Finn missed the mark in Q3 and will start 12th.  

New disillusionment for Pierre Gasly on the other hand. The Norman, although extremely solid during all the free practice sessions of the weekend, was eliminated in Q1. The Habs were indeed trapped by a red flag caused by… their teammate Yuki tsunoda. 2 minutes 25 from the end of Q1, the Japanese actually hit the rail, causing the session to be temporarily interrupted. At the time of the restart, due in particular to the improvement of the track, all the drivers except the top 5 came out. And Pierre Gasly, due to traffic, was not able to improve his mark, taking the checkerboard after the end of the clock. Ironically, during this time, Tsunoda, although responsible for the red flag, had all the luxury of qualifying for Q2, and will have all the luxury of starting from 11th position. When he got out of his car, the Norman was obviously furious. 

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