Princely pole for Hamilton, Leclerc eliminated in Q1

Lewis Hamilton sets a new track record in 1’10”166 to snatch pole position from his teammate Mercedes Valtteri Bottas in the final moments of Q3 for 86 thousandths. Dominant since the start of the weekend in the Principality, the Silver Arrows logically lock the first row. This is the first pole for Hamilton since Melbourne, his 85th career, an improved absolute record.

The two representatives of the gray house are ahead of the Red Bull de Max Verstappen, impeccable once again but still pushed back to almost half a second. The disappointment is immense among Ferrari since the best SF90, that of Sebastian Vettel, will only start on the 4th Sunday. But the worst came from the premature elimination of the child from the country Charles Leclerc from Q1. 

The Monegasque had nevertheless set the best time in Free Practice 3 and could claim to be part of the fight for pole position. Victim of a wheel lock during one of his first attempts, Leclerc then missed the weigh-in when entering the pits and thus had to be pushed by his mechanics to the weighbridge, again losing precious time. 

The former Sauber driver still managed to set a clear lap but Ferrari did not send him back on track in the final moments of the session while his competitors were improving. Ironically, it was his own teammate Sebastian Vettel, who made a mistake in the ultra-fast sequence of the Swimming Pool, who pushed Leclerc into the cart by pulling off a fantastic lap at the very end of Q1. 

Pierre Gasly (Red Bull) takes the 5th time but the Frenchman is the subject of an investigation for having hampered his compatriot Romain Grosjean in Q2, the driver Haas having to settle for 13th time. The Norman precedes an excellent Kevin Magnussen (Haas), while Daniel Ricciardo brings a little balm to the heart Renault with the 7th grid position. 

Great overall performance from Toro Rosso, which places its two drivers in the Top 10: Daniil Kvyat is 8th, two rows ahead of his neighbor in the garage Alexander albon. Between them slips the McLaren de Carlos Sainz. 

Besides Grosjean, Nico Hulkenberg, Lando Norris, And Alfa Romeo of Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi leave the stage in Q2. Lagging behind since the start of the weekend, the Racing Point and the Williams stopped in Q1, at the same time as Leclerc's hopes of shining at home were dashed. 

QUALIFYING CLASSIFICATION: Hamilton's first pole since Melbourne #MonacoGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/0SWcz8EImM

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 25, 2019