Verstappen

Max Verstappen secures pole for Monaco GP. image: @Max33Verstappen

Verstappen steals pole in dramatic Monaco qualifying

An insane last lap push saw Max Verstappen taking pole away from Fernando Alonso before hitting the wall at the end.

Verstappen

Max Verstappen secures pole for Monaco GP. image: @Max33Verstappen

Max Verstappen took his first-ever pole in Monaco after a flying last lap in Q3 qualifying

The 25-year-old Dutchman took pole from Fernando Alonso who looked set to have his fist pole of the season.

“Of course very happy to be on pole here for the first time. Race pace wise, the car is quick, just need to keep it clean and calm.” Verstappen said.

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All is not lost for Alonso as he has a chance to do a divebomb into turn 1.

After the qualifying, the 41-year-old driver said he wasn’t too pleased with second.

“Today, Max was a little bit faster. We will try to win,” Alonso said.

VERSTAPPEN FAVOURITE TO WIN MONACO GP AFTER TAKING POLE

Charles Leclerc finished in third while Esteban Ocon finished fourth. In fifth is Carlos Sainz followed by Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly.

ALSO READ: Leclerc beats Verstappen for pole

Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Checo Perez has a horror day.

His hopes of a first pole position in Monaco were dashed when the Red Bull driver crashed into the barrier on a flying lap in Q1, ending his qualifying and bringing a halt to proceedings.

ALSO READ: Max Verstappen threatens to quit F1

HORROR DAY FOR CHECO

Perez was setting out on another flying lap in Q1 but, on the exit of Turn 2, he slammed into the barrier, damaging the left-hand side of his car in the process. That impact forced him to stop on track, and brought out the red flags.

Verstappen currently leads the driver’s standing by 14 points after three races so far this season and could extend his lead to 20 or 30 points should he win the Monaco race on Sunday.

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