Lando Norris clinches the top spot in Monaco's Formula One prelude.
Formula-1 in Monaco: Lando Norris Edges Out Charles Leclerc for Pole Position
In a nail-biting finish, Lando Norris secured the first pole position of his career for the Formula-1 classic in Monaco. The British McLaren driver clinched the top spot with a blistering lap of 1:09.954 minutes, just 0.109 seconds ahead of local hero Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari.
"I'm really proud to have achieved this here," said Norris, who resides in Monaco. The 25-year-old driver has claimed his 11th pole position this year, matching his performance at the season opener in Australia. "I've had some challenges recently, but I've worked hard to overcome them," added Norris, whose relief was evident after the flawless performance.
Norris' triumph comes at a crucial time for him as he attempts to win for the first time in Monaco on Sunday (3 p.m., Sky and live on ntv.de). The narrow city course offers a significant advantage to those starting from the front, making it a significant step towards another Grand Prix victory.
Tactical intrigue will surround the race due to a new rule mandating two pit stops for all drivers. The move is aimed at increasing tension through additional strategic possibilities and overtaking opportunities. The tension will heighten as drivers navigate the impassable asphalt strip in the principality.
Entering the decisive time trial, Leclerc had set the fastest lap times in all three practice sessions. However, the Ferrari driver expressed apprehension over his home race due to recent service car issues, particularly with slow corners.
A dramatic interruption occurred during the first qualifying section when Kimi Antonelli crashed his Mercedes into the crash barrier due to a driving error. The car was recovered before George Russell's second Silver Arrow was push-started due to electrical problems. The mishap didn't deter Norris, who maintained his hold on the best possible starting position for the race on the Côte d'Azur.
German driver Nico Hülkenberg finished 13th in the AlphaTauri after the incident. Meanwhile, Lando Norris gears up for a potentially monumental race on Sunday, with his sights set on his first Formula-1 victory in Monaco.
"Despite my recent challenges, I'm not going to be able to do winning in sports racing for the first time in Monaco lightly," says Lando Norris, referring to his hard-earned pole position in the Formula-1 race.
"In races like these, even the slightest misstep could mean the difference between claiming a victory in sports, like Formula-1 racing, and falling behind," Norris ponders, as he prepares for his race on Sunday.
