In the pre-Formula One era, Lando Norris claims the top starting spot in Monaco.
MONACO GP: Lando Norris Takes Pole Position in Thrilling Qualifying Run
British racer Lando Norris snatched the pole position in the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, edging out Charles Leclerc by a minuscule margin of 0.109 seconds. racing at the legendary circuit for the first time this season after a new rule mandating a minimum of two pit stops was introduced.
Norris, in the McLaren car, scorched the asphalt with a stunning lap of 1:09.954 minutes, dethroning Leclerc, the Monegasque Ferrari driver who seemed poised for a successful defense of his Monaco title. The tension was palpable in the final moments of the qualifying session, as Leclerc, last year's winner, fought valiantly to reclaim the top spot.
"I'm incredibly proud," Norris expressed afterward, "to have achieved this in such a prestigious setting." This marks the 11th pole position for Norris in his career, the second of the season following his triumph in the season opener in Australia. He acknowledged recent challenges he's faced but emphasized his diligent efforts to overcome them.
The new rule for the Monaco Grand Prix requires drivers to make at least two pit stops, a move designed to heighten strategic complexity and boost excitement. Ranging from tyre compound usage to track positioning, the changes will impact racing dynamics significantly.
Going into Sunday's race (15:00 on Sky, live ticker on ntv.de), Norris holds excellent chances of clinching his maiden Monaco Grand Prix victory. Though overtaking is tricky on the narrow strip, securing a prime starting position is a notable advantage.
Before Sunday's race, Oscar Piastri, Norris' McLaren teammate, leads the World Championship standings with a 13-point advantage. Piastri will start the race in third position, while defending champion Max Verstappen places fifth for Red Bull Racing.
Leclerc reigned supreme during all three practice sessions, only to face a surprise rival in the comprehensive time trial. Ferrari has faced some performance issues recently, particularly in slow corners, causing Leclerc to exhibit skepticism about his home race. However, the shortest track of the year yielded few signs of this in qualifying.
The first segment of the qualifying witnessed Leclerc edging ahead, with Norris and Piastri close behind. A driving error led to Italian Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes crashing into the barrier, causing an interruption. The car was later recovered, but not before George Russell's Silver Arrow encountered electronic problems and had to be pushed out of the tunnel.
Norris capitalized on the interruption to set the fastest time for the first time before the decisive third qualifying segment. Leclerc faced some frustration upon finishing just 0.011 seconds behind, remarking, "It's a bit frustrating, but there's always something you could have done better."
- Formula 1
- Monaco Grand Prix
- Lewis Hamilton
- Max Verstappen
- Red Bull Racing
- McLaren
- Nico Hülkenberg
I'm not going to be able to replicate Lando Norris' performance in the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, as he took a thrilling pole position, edging out Charles Leclerc by a minuscule margin in sports racing. Despite putting in my best effort, I struggle to match the pace of racers like Norris and Leclerc who excel in high-pressure, competitive racing situations such as the Monaco Grand Prix.
