Lando Norris in the McLaren secures the most important pole position in Formula 1. The Briton starts the Monaco Grand Prix from the very front of the grid.
24.05.2025, 17:36
24.05.2025, 19:33
SDA
Once again this year, it was tight time gaps that decided the starting positions at the front of the grid. Norris secured his second pole position of the season after that for the Australian Grand Prix with a lead of just over a tenth of a second over Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. On the tight circuit in Monte Carlo's urban canyons, where overtaking is known to be virtually impossible, Norris created the perfect starting position to be waved off as the winner for the second time this year after winning the season opener in Melbourne on Sunday.
Leclerc had probably started his home race with doubts, but impressed in the free practice sessions with consistently strong performances. After setting three fastest times, last year's winner had every right to hope that he would be able to tackle the Monaco Grand Prix from the best grid position for the fourth time.
On the second row of the grid will be the Australian Oscar Piastri, who leads the championship standings, in the other McLaren and world champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull. The Dutchman had finished qualifying in fifth place, but made up a position at the expense of Lewis Hamilton. The Briton, originally fourth best in the second Ferrari, was penalized with a three-place drop due to an obstruction by Verstappen in the first part of qualifying.
Of the Sauber driver duo, Nico Hülkenberg fared better in the battle for grid positions. The German will start from 13th position on Sunday, Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto from 16th.
In order to make the race even more exciting, those responsible at the International Automobile Federation (FIA) have made a change to the regulations for the Monaco Grand Prix and made (at least) two pit stops compulsory for the drivers. The FIA bosses also hope that this will allow more scope for strategy and tactics. The drivers, in turn, attribute a more decisive role to chance as a result of the temporary adjustment.
