For the second consecutive year, Charles Leclerc took pole at home in Monaco. And this time, the Monegasque is guaranteed, barring any last-minute unforeseen circumstances, to take the start, he who was unable to compete in the Monaco Grand Prix last year, the day after a crash on the last lap.
This Saturday, a new crash concluded the qualifying session with that of Sergio Perez, who made a mistake in the bend leading to the tunnel. The Mexican driver, third on the grid, thus deprived his partner Max Verstappen of a last lap to improve his time, with which he will have to settle for a 4th place on the grid.
In front of the two Red Bulls, we find the two Ferraris, since it was Carlos Sainz who set the second fastest time in the qualifying session behind Leclerc. “It’s very special to sign the pole here, I’m so happy, rejoiced the local of the stage. It’s been a very smooth weekend so far, we’re doing a good job.” It remains to transform the test this Sunday to overcome his curse on his land.
Further on the grid, we find Lewis Hamilton, 8th on the grid after being relegated more than a second behind Leclerc. The seven-time world champion will start two rows behind his teammate George Russell (6th). Between the two Mercedes, we find the Alpine of Fernando Alonso (7th), eight tenths faster than Esteban Ocon (10th).
Behind, Daniel Ricciardo will start in 14th position, far from his partner Lando Norris (5th) while Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri), very prominent during the free practice sessions, suffered from a late start in Q1 which will have blocked him with the 17th time and a lot of work to do this Sunday.
