Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc reacts in the parc ferme after the qualifying session at the Monaco street circuit in Monaco, on May 22, 2021, ahead of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. (Photo by Sebastien Nogier / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN NOGIER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Monaco Grand Prix: Charles LeClerc takes pole then crashes
Ferrari’s Charles LeClerc earned pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, but a late crash might deny him a start from the front.
Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc reacts in the parc ferme after the qualifying session at the Monaco street circuit in Monaco, on May 22, 2021, ahead of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. (Photo by Sebastien Nogier / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SEBASTIEN NOGIER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Ferrari’s Charles LeClerc earned pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, but a late crash might deny him a start from the front.
LeClerc binned his Ferrari on his last lap and caused the session to be ended early.
The crash denied both Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas their final flying laps.
LeClerc may be hit with a grid penalty, depending on how severe the damage to his car was.
“It’s a shame to finish in the wall, it doesn’t feel the same! But at the same time I’m incredibly happy about my lap,” Leclerc said.
“I am [worried about the gearbox], but let’s see”
Bottas expressed his disappointment at only getting third, but championship leader Lewis Hamilton could only achieve seventh.
“It’s disappointing I didn’t get my last run with the red flag, that’s how it is sometimes,” Bottas said.
“We’ll try everything we can tomorrow, it’s Monaco – anything can happen.”
Verstappen could end up starting from pole if Leclerc is penalised but couldn’t hide his disappointment when interviewed after the session.
“It was all going really well [but] the red flag ruined the chance for pole. Nevertheless I think, so far, it’s a good weekend. We’ve recovered well from Thursday,” Verstappen said.
Monaco Grand Prix qualifying
| POS | NO | DRIVER | CAR | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | LAPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | FERRARI | 1:11.113 | 1:10.597 | 1:10.346 | 27 |
| 2 | 33 | Max Verstappen | RED BULL RACING HONDA | 1:11.124 | 1:10.650 | 1:10.576 | 23 |
| 3 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | MERCEDES | 1:10.938 | 1:10.695 | 1:10.601 | 28 |
| 4 | 55 | Carlos Sainz | FERRARI | 1:11.324 | 1:10.806 | 1:10.611 | 25 |
| 5 | 4 | Lando Norris | MCLAREN MERCEDES | 1:11.321 | 1:11.031 | 1:10.620 | 23 |
| 6 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | ALPHATAURI HONDA | 1:11.560 | 1:11.179 | 1:10.900 | 30 |
| 7 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | MERCEDES | 1:11.622 | 1:11.116 | 1:11.095 | 30 |
| 8 | 5 | Sebastian Vettel | ASTON MARTIN MERCEDES | 1:12.078 | 1:11.309 | 1:11.419 | 26 |
| 9 | 11 | Sergio Perez | RED BULL RACING HONDA | 1:11.644 | 1:11.019 | 1:11.573 | 26 |
| 10 | 99 | Antonio Giovinazzi | ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI | 1:11.658 | 1:11.409 | 1:11.779 | 28 |
| 11 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | ALPINE RENAULT | 1:11.740 | 1:11.486 | 22 | |
| 12 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | MCLAREN MERCEDES | 1:11.747 | 1:11.598 | 21 | |
| 13 | 18 | Lance Stroll | ASTON MARTIN MERCEDES | 1:11.979 | 1:11.600 | 20 | |
| 14 | 7 | Kimi Räikkönen | ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI | 1:11.899 | 1:11.642 | 21 | |
| 15 | 63 | George Russell | WILLIAMS MERCEDES | 1:12.016 | 1:11.830 | 24 | |
| 16 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | ALPHATAURI HONDA | 1:12.096 | 13 | ||
| 17 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | ALPINE RENAULT | 1:12.205 | 12 | ||
| 18 | 6 | Nicholas Latifi | WILLIAMS MERCEDES | 1:12.366 | 14 | ||
| 19 | 9 | Nikita Mazepin | HAAS FERRARI | 1:12.958 | 12 |
