Star at home!
Born in Monaco twenty-three years ago, Charles Leclerc knows the curves of this circuit better than anyone.
He proved it by showing himself, in front of a masked public, the fastest of the qualifying sessions of “his” Grand Prix, disputed in the streets of the principality.
"I never say that a tour is perfect, but I admit that I am very happy with what I did", confides the person concerned at the microphone of Canal +.
At the wheel of his Ferrari, he will start this Sunday (3 p.m.) in pole position for the 5th round of the Formula 1 season. Unless the accident he suffered at the end of the session, in the sector. de la Piscine, in the port of the principality, and which caused the end of the qualifications, decides otherwise.
The pole for @Charles_Leclerc!
HISTORY FOR MONEGASQUE despite this crash!
🇲🇨🔝
What about the condition of his car?
The gearbox?
Stay with us on @canalplus!
Driver OK ✅
▶ ️ https://t.co/7plkVVV12v pic.twitter.com/yYQUuD0vKy
- CANAL + F1® (@ CanalplusF1) May 22, 2021
To keep this important place on the Monegasque circuit, where overtaking your opponents is a feat, the gearbox and your car must be repaired according to the rules established by the International Federation. The early end of the session also prevented the other drivers from possibly improving their times and caused some grunts. “It was of course not done on purpose, assured Leclerc. These are things that happen in an urban circuit. "
If the video of his accident proves his innocence, the pilot did not hide his fears after the session.
"I do not know if I will go first or last," continued the person at the microphone of Canal +.
It will depend on the gearbox, it didn't look great when I looked at the back of the car but my fingers crossed and we'll see.
I will probably find out in the evening.
We will have to accept the decision.
"
The Alpine in bad shape on the Rock
This is the first time this season and the eighth time in his young career that the Monegasque has set the fastest qualifying time. His last pole position dates back to October 2019 in Mexico. Leclerc, 5th among drivers, and Ferrari, 4th among manufacturers, seem to gain momentum and could achieve the first big surprise of the year on Sunday when, so far, only Hamilton, three times, and Verstappen, once, have won in Grand Prix.
Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Finnish Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) complete the top quartet.
Briton Lando Norris (McLaren) and Frenchman Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) will start in 5th and 6th places.
Less at ease than usual, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), the seven-time world champion and championship leader, will only be 7th on the grid.
While the circuit was supposed to suit them, the two Alpine F1s disappointed.
The French Esteban Ocon is 11th and his partner, the Spaniard Fernando Alonso, only 17th.
Note that the Monaco Grand Prix, canceled last year due to the health situation, will take place on Sunday in front of 7,500 spectators, or 40% of the seats in the stands.
It is the first GP of the season with so many people.
