2024 Monaco GP qualifying report: Leclerc Claims Pole Position, Verstappen Sixth After Brushing Monaco Barrier on Final Lap

Charles Leclerc Secures Pole Position for Monaco Grand Prix, Breaking Max Verstappen’s Streak

In a thrilling qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari captured pole position, ending Max Verstappen’s streak and clinching the top spot by a tenth of a second from Oscar Piastri.

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Leclerc’s pole victory not only halted Verstappen’s run of pole positions in 2024 but also marked a historic achievement, as he became the first driver to beat Verstappen to the pole position in the season. Despite a minor hiccup when Verstappen brushed the wall on his final lap, Leclerc held his nerve to claim the coveted pole position.

The frenetic Q1 session saw drivers pushing to their limits, with Verstappen initially setting the benchmark before being surpassed by his rivals. Leclerc encountered a brief setback when he collected debris on his front wing, but he swiftly recovered to set the fastest time of the session.

As the session progressed, the battle intensified, with Sergio Perez and Lando Norris fighting to avoid elimination. Ultimately, Perez fell short, failing to progress to Q2 for the second consecutive season.

In Q2, Verstappen asserted his dominance with a blistering lap time, setting the stage for a showdown with Leclerc. However, a late-session error cost Verstappen valuable time, relegating him to sixth on the grid.

In the decisive Q3, Leclerc delivered a masterful performance, improving his provisional pole time to secure pole position. Despite a spirited effort from Piastri, Leclerc’s stellar lap remained unbeaten, clinching pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix.

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With Leclerc leading the grid, Piastri will start alongside him on the front row, with Carlos Sainz Jr. securing third place. Norris and George Russell completed the top five, while Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will start from sixth and seventh respectively.

As the stage is set for the Monaco Grand Prix, anticipation mounts for an exhilarating race, with Leclerc aiming to convert his pole position into a triumphant victory on home soil.