Lando Norris secures the pole position during Formula One's time of transformation, in the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix.
Monaco Grand Prix: Lando Norris Stunningly Claims Pole Position Ahead of Charles Leclerc
In a thrilling final lap, Lando Norris secured the coveted pole position for the Formula-1 race in Monaco. The 25-year-old British McLaren driver edged out local hero, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, by a mere 0.109 seconds.
Norris's electrifying performance put him on the verge of his first victory on Sunday (15:00, Sky and live ticker on ntv.de). Battling the narrow asphalt track in the Principality, the starting position at the front offers a substantial edge for winning the next Grand Prix. A new rule, enforced for the first time, requires all drivers to make two pit stops, enhancing the race's strategic depth and potential overtaking chances.
"I am incredibly proud to have achieved this here in this special place," said Norris, who resides in Monaco. The pole position marks his 11th of the season, adding to his triumph in Australia. "I've faced challenges in recent months," admitted Norris, expressing his relief over the impressive performance without mistakes.
Two-time vice-world champion Leclerc, a mere fraction of a second behind, expressed disappointment in falling short: "There's always room for improvement, but today, this was the best lap." Though he was able to keep pace, Leclerc doubted their chances of winning.
Elsewhere, the Mercedes drivers experienced a disappointing day. Kimi Antonelli crashed his Mercedes into the barrier, causing an interruption, and teammate George Russell faced electronic issues that necessitated pushing his vehicle out of the tunnel.
Meanwhile, the new pit-stop rule offers prospective tactical advantages for drivers like Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen: strategizing the number of stops, tire management, and capitalizing on safety cars represent crucial opportunities for gaining an edge.
Before the eighth of 24 World Championship races, Piastri leads the standings, 13 points ahead of Norris. Piastri will start in third position, while Verstappen trails in fifth.
- McLaren
- Ferrari
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes AMG)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber)
I'm not going to be able to celebrate a victory like Lando Norris, given my current position in the race as I'm not on the pole and facing tough competition from drivers like Norris and Leclerc. In the sports world of racing, particularly the Monaco Grand Prix, mastering sports tactics like pit stop strategies and managing tires becomes critical for success, much like how Norris might exploit the new two-stop rule to his advantage.
