Charles Leclerc is confident it will be third time lucky in Monaco today after ending Max Verstappen’s remarkable qualifying streak.
The Dutchman was on a run of eight Grand Prix poles in a row but it was home hero Leclerc who topped the timesheets in Monte Carlo. But the Ferrari driver has been here before and seen it agonisingly slip away.
In 2021, he qualified on pole but failed to start the race because of a mechanical problem. The following year, he was at the front again but a botched Ferrari pit strategy cost him the win. Qualifying king Leclerc, 26, has failed to convert any of his last 12 pole positions into victory, but feels he and his team are ready to end that barren run.
“He said: “I’m really happy about the lap and the excitement is so high. It feels really good. I know from the past that qualifying is not everything. As much as it helps a lot for Sunday’s race, we need to put everything together. In past years we didn’t manage to do so, but we are a stronger team in a stronger position and I’m sure we can achieve great things. Of course, the win is the target.”
Leclerc only really received pressure from Oscar Piastri who will join him on the front row for today’s race. Carlos Sainz made it two Ferraris in the top three ahead of Britons Lando Norris and George Russell. Verstappen had to settle for just sixth, with Lewis Hamilton on his gearbox, as Red Bull struggled to find balance.
The three-time F1 champion was typically blunt as he assessed his car and claimed he wasn’t expecting anything better from the session. “I’m not disappointed with the position, just our performance which for the whole weekend has been a surprise to me,” he shrugged.
“I knew our limitations coming into this weekend but it’s been bad. I can’t take any kerbs – in the middle sector I’m driving around all the kerbs and it feels like I’m driving a go-kart with my suspension.”
