Norris banishes qualifying woes to beat Leclerc with fastest-ever Monaco pole
0
0
Lando Norris banished his recent qualifying woes to brilliantly beat home favourite Charles Leclerc and McLaren championship-leading team-mate Oscar Piastri to a first Monaco Grand Prix pole position.
At the end of a typically frenetic and gripping qualifying hour around the narrow confines of F1’s most-famous track, Norris held provisional pole after the first runs of Q3 and then improved his time twice more as Leclerc briefly usurped him at the top of the timesheet.
Norris’ pole-winning time 1:09.954 represented a lap record for the iconic Monaco circuit. He finished 0.109 ahead of Leclerc, with Piastri a further 0.066 behind.
Lewis Hamilton beat Max Verstappen to fourth but is under investigation after the session for an impeding incident ahead of the Red Bull driver in Q1, which would likely result in a grid penalty were stewards to rule against him.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Confusion on the Ferrari team radio causes Lewis Hamilton to impede Max Verstappen during Q1 at the Monaco GP
But Mercedes endured a disastrous session, qualifying 14th and 15th.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Kimi Antonelli brought out the first red flag of qualifying after crashing into the barriers
Already struggling for pace all the way through practice, Mercedes’ qualifying started to unravel when Kimi Antonelli crashed at he harbourside chicane on his final lap of Q1.
George Russell then exited in the early stages of Q2 after his Mercedes stopped in the tunnel after it had suffered a suspected electrical problem after he went over the kerb at the first corner, Ste Devote.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
George Russell loses power during Q2 to leave both Mercedes cars out of Monaco qualifying
The only consolation for Mercedes, and the rest of those with work to do after qualifying, is that Sunday’s 78-lap race features a fresh twist in the shape of a mandatory two pit-stop rule for the very first time.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Monaco GP schedule
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday May 25
6.55am: F3 Feature Race
8.35am: F2 Feature Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Monaco GP build-up*
2pm: The MONACO GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Chequered Flag: Monaco GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
5.30pm: The Indy 500
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Next up in F1’s European triple-header is the ‘Jewel in the Crown’, the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, with Sunday’s race live at 2pm on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
https://e0.365dm.com/25/05/1600×900/skysports-lando-norris-mclaren_6926043.jpg?20250524162224
