Leclerc is fighting for pole: Monaco qualifying promises excitement!

Leclerc is fighting for pole: Monaco qualifying promises excitement!

On May 24, 2025, qualifying for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix took place, one of the most prestigious races in motorsport. Qualifying began at 4:00 p.m. and reached a dramatic climax in the final minutes. Pole position is crucial on the narrow Monte Carlo street circuit, as overtaking maneuvers are rarely successful here. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc ultimately took pole position, demonstrating his outstanding performance.

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen couldn't stop Leclerc and ended up in second place. Rounding out the top three in qualifying was Valtteri Bottas, who finished third. Carlos Sainz also delivered a strong performance and qualified fourth. Surprisingly, Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi, who was in the drop zone, reached Q3 and showed one of the best qualifying laps of his career.

Details from qualifying

What was particularly notable was that Carlos Sainz set the fastest time of the day at the start of the second qualifying phase and was the first driver to stay under 1 minute and 10 seconds. Max Verstappen temporarily took the lead before Leclerc set the fastest time and thus took the lead. Daniel Ricciardo, on the other hand, missed Q3 in Monaco for the first time since 2012. His teammate Lando Norris, however, managed sixth place.

The list of eliminated drivers included prominent names such as Esteban Ocon, Lance Stroll and Kimi Räikkönen. However, Stroll, who failed to qualify, provided a bright spot with a career-best 13th place. Sebastian Vettel, as an experienced driver, was able to qualify for Q3 again, recording his twelfth consecutive Q3 appearance in Monaco.

The Monaco GP: A race with tradition

The Monaco Grand Prix has a long history, dating back to 1929. The scenic route, which runs through the streets of Monte Carlo, is considered a challenge for drivers and teams. The narrow and winding track makes overtaking difficult, making pole position even more valuable. Last year, Charles Leclerc won the home Grand Prix, which further increases expectations for his performance this year.

Oscar Piastri currently leads the drivers' championship, followed by Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. The gap between these drivers has shrunk significantly in the last few races, which points to exciting duels in the coming races. In Monaco, the challenge of defending or winning the title is compounded by the track's unique conditions and tight field.

The passion for motorsport and the history of the Monaco Grand Prix connect drivers, teams and fans in a unique atmosphere. This year, Charles Leclerc is doing everything he can to win his home race again and meet the expectations of his performance.

For detailed information on the results and history of the Monaco Grand Prix, you can refer to the reports from LAOLA1 and Formula1.com as well as comprehensive historical data Wikipedia be resorted to.