Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying Update
Max Verstappen, who had been dominating with eight consecutive pole positions, faced a setback in Monaco as his Red Bull felt like a go-kart on the track. Charles Leclerc secured the pole position for Ferrari, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri close behind.
Top Qualifiers
- 1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
- 4. Lando Norris (McLaren)
- 5. George Russell (Mercedes)
- 6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Verstappen, who had been on pole in every race this season, struggled in the low-speed Monaco circuit. His teammate, Sergio Perez, faced challenges as well, qualifying in 18th position.
Verstappen expressed his frustration, stating, “The car is like a go-kart. It is like I am running without a suspension.”
Challenges for Red Bull
Verstappen highlighted ongoing issues with the Red Bull car, indicating that the team has faced difficulties since 2022. He acknowledged the competitive field catching up and the need for significant improvements.
Despite recent struggles, Verstappen remains focused on consistency and downplayed the impact of one bad race on the championship standings.
Leclerc, currently 48 points behind Verstappen, is positioned as a strong contender for the title. Having secured his third pole in Monaco, Leclerc aims to capitalize on his performance in the upcoming race.
Leclerc’s Determination
Reflecting on past challenges in Monaco, Leclerc emphasized the importance of race-day performance over qualifying results. He expressed confidence in Ferrari’s improved position and set winning as the primary goal for the race.
Norris, trailing Verstappen by 60 points, expressed optimism about McLaren’s progress in closing the gap to Red Bull. He sees their recent performances as promising signs for the team’s future success.
