Leclerc takes Monaco pole with crash-damaged Ferrari
Last updated on: 22 May,2021 07:39 pm
Leclerc takes Monaco pole with crash-damaged Ferrari
MONACO (AFP) - Charles Leclerc will start on pole for his home Monaco Grand Prix after setting the fastest time in qualifying Saturday despite ending the session with crash-damage to his Ferrari.
Red Bull s Max Verstappen will set off alongside him on the front row of Formula One s iconic street race with world champion Lewis Hamilton in unfamiliar territory back on the fourth row.
Qualifying was red flagged at the end, depriving Hamilton and Verstappen of a late chance to better Leclerc s time with a flying lap.
With overtaking difficult on Monaco s tight and twisting circuit, Hamilton s chances of moving up to 99 grand prix wins look compromised.
After winning three out of four races this season the seven-time world champion leads Verstappen by 14 points in the drivers world championship.
Leclerc secured his eighth career pole but first at Monaco despite his big crash into a wall which ripped off his car s front wing.
"It s a shame to finish in the wall, it s doesn t feel the same but I m incredibly happy about my lap," he said.
His mechanics face a long night carrying out repairs in the allotted time if Leclerc is not to pick up a penalty and lose his position at the head of the grid.
Hamilton s Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas set the third fastest time to take a place on the second row with Carlos Sainz in the other Ferrari for company.