Leclerc, who’s hoping for his first house victory, will begin within the eighth race of the season on Sunday (3 p.m./ORF 1, Sky) forward of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri (+0.154 seconds) and Carlos Sainz (+0.248) within the second Ferrari.
Verstappen solely from sixth place on the grid
World champion Max Verstappen (+0.297) needed to accept sixth place on the grid within the Crimson Bull. The Dutchman touched the barrier within the first nook throughout his final fast try. “This automotive is slippery,” complained Verstappen, who had just lately began from first place eight occasions in a row. The triple champion thus missed out on changing into the primary driver ever to expertise 9 pole positions in a row, or eight in the beginning of the season.
It was the Scuderia’s 250th pole place, and Leclerc’s twenty fourth of his profession. “The sensation following the final qualifying lap is at all times very particular right here. I am very pleased,” stated the Ferrari hopeful, however he put it into perspective. “Qualifying is not all the pieces, I’ve to deliver all the pieces collectively tomorrow. I have not managed that in recent times, however we’re a stronger staff now and may obtain nice issues tomorrow.”
Leclerc hopes for first house win
Leclerc was born within the principality and nonetheless lives there. Nonetheless, regardless of good beginning positions, the 26-year-old has by no means received in his house nation; fourth and sixth locations have been his finest outcomes to date on the long-lasting avenue circuit on the Côte d’Azur.
Veteran Fernando Alonso needed to accept sixteenth place on the grid within the Aston Martin. Sergio Perez needed to wrestle much more within the second Crimson Bull and didn’t handle to get past the disappointing 18th place on the grid. “An entire catastrophe,” stated the Mexican, who complained regarding site visitors and, like final 12 months, failed within the first qualifying session. “The automotive has a lot extra potential. On the whole, we’ve issues on this monitor. We’ve to look forward to Montreal. If it would not rain tomorrow, I see no hope.”
Within the World Championship standings, Verstappen, Monaco winner in 2021 and 2023, leads with 161 factors, clearly forward of Leclerc (113) and Perez (107), who triumphed within the principality in 2022. McLaren driver Lando Norris (101) is 60 factors behind.
