At the cost of taking a total risk, Max Verstappen went for pole position in the Monaco Grand Prix with less than a tenth of a second ahead of Fernando Alonso. Charles Leclerc will be on the second line with Esteban Ocon at his side.
Max Verstappen will be in a strong position this Sunday. In difficulty during the first free practice session in the Principality this Friday before dominating the other two, the double world champion knew how to play with the limits to go and sign his first pole position in the streets of Monaco. Indeed, after a third part of the qualifying session under high tension, the Red Bull Racing driver waited for his very last attempt to dislodge Fernando Alonso from first place. After taking control on the first attempt, the Aston Martin driver was able to improve to get ahead of Charles Leclerc and Esteban Ocon again as the final two minutes approached. Coming out of the pits in extremis with new soft tyres, Max Verstappen had absolutely no room for error. However, the Dutchman committed some in the last sector, touching the safety rails twice.
Verstappen au forceps
This absolutely did not slow him down and, as often in the Principality, it was the last on the track who had the last word. Crossing the finish line in 1’11”365, Max Verstappen was only ahead of Fernando Alonso by 84 thousandths of a second and will approach the Sainte-Dévote bend in first position. Behind him, Charles Leclerc was not able to sign a third consecutive pole position on his land. The Ferrari driver had to settle for third place at 106 thousandths of a second and will be in second row with… Esteban Ocon! The Alpine driver even thought he could take pole position when he took first place ahead of the last attempts of his rivals. Failing 188 thousandths from the reference established by Max Verstappen, the Normand will have a card to play this Sunday during the race. Both disappointing, Carlos Sainz Jr and Lewis Hamilton will take their place in the third row, followed by Pierre Gasly and George Russell.
Perez at fault
A surprise guest in Q3, Yuki Tsunoda set the ninth fastest time ahead of Lando Norris, who got a big scare at the end of Q2, hitting the safety rails twice. In addition to pole position, Max Verstappen could make a huge operation in the championship standings this Sunday. Indeed, his teammate and runner-up Sergio Pérez was trapped at the Sainte-Dévote bend in Q1. Greatly damaging his left rear half-axle, the Mexican saw his qualifying session end prematurely with the last place on the starting grid promised to him…unless his team decides to make changes that will would impose a start from the pit lane. Despite the nature of the Monaco circuit, this 2023 edition of the Grand Prix contested in the Principality promises to be intense, with Fernando Alonso ready to pounce on the slightest opportunity to sign his first victory with Aston Martin.
FORMULA 1 – MONACO GRAND PRIX / QUALIFICATIONS
Q3 Ranking – Saturday May 27, 2023
1- Max Verstappen (PBS/Red Bull Racing) en 1’11’’365
2- Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin) at 0”084
3- Charles Leclerc (MCO / Ferrari) at 0”106
4- Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine) at 0”188
5- Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Ferrari) at 0”265
6- Lewis Hamilton (GBR / Mercedes) at 0”360
7- Pierre Gasly (FRA / Alpine) at 0”568
8- George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) at 0”599
9- Yuki Tsunoda (JAP / AlphaTauri) at 0”717
10- Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) at 0”889
