Lando Norris starts the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday from pole position after taking it from home favorite Charles Leclerc in the final moments of Saturday’s qualifying.
Norris was the very last to be on a fast lap and ultimately went 0.009 seconds faster around the principality than Leclerc. Oscar Piastri also competed for pole, but ultimately had to settle for third place.
Norris recorded a lap of 1.09.95, now holding the fastest lap time ever in Monaco. He is the first driver ever to dip below 1 minute and 10 seconds on the street circuit.
This impressive pole is a welcome boost for Norris. The McLaren driver had not been convincing in recent qualifying sessions, whereas last season it was his great quality.
Verstappen was not in contention for pole. The Red Bull driver was ultimately 8 tenths slower than Norris and also had to concede to Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari. Isack Hadjar drove impressively to sixth place in his first appearance in Monte Carlo.
Two Pit stops to prevent a new process
To prevent a procession like in 2024, the drivers are required to use three tire sets in the race on Sunday, resulting in at least two pit stops per driver without red flags. It is an intervention by Formula 1 to increase the spectacle. The drivers are enthusiastic. How it actually turns out will only become clear during the race on Sunday.
It may help Andrea Kimi Antonelli to make up for his crash in qualifying. The young Italian hit the barrier in the Nouvelle Chicane and could not continue. He starts fifteenth on Sunday. That was just the beginning of the misery for Mercedes. George Russell stopped with problems in Q2 and starts only one place higher than his teammate.
The qualification was also disappointing for Yuki Tsunoda. Verstappen’s teammate did not get past the twelfth time with the Red Bull. He shares the sixth starting row with Carlos Sainz, who drove the eleventh time in the Williams. The race starts on Sunday at 3:00 PM.