Charles Leclerc says losing the Monaco GP would be a “bad move”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has secured pole position with an incredible lap in Saturday’s Formula One qualifying session and will look to complete a sensational home win at the Monaco Grand Prix this afternoon. Cavallet Rampant was blocked in the front row by Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz, who finished second ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez, although the pair collided at the end of the standings after Red Bull touched the barriers.
The current world champion and title race leader Max Verstappen was only able to reach the fourth after fighting to get the most out of his car on the famous street circuit. Leclerc is six points behind Verstappen in the standings and has a great chance to overtake the Dutchman, as pole position is vital for the race due to the lack of opportunities to advance on the track.
McLaren’s Lando Norris struggled to finish fifth on the grid ahead of Mercedes ’George Russell, who once again outscored seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will start eighth.
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Latest updates from the Monaco Grand Prix
Show the latest update 1653839469
Monaco Grand Prix
Carlos Sainz has reduced the distance to leader Sergio Pérez. Ferrari’s decision to stay out of hard tires seems to be bearing fruit now that Red Bull is starting to falter.
Charles Leclerc is also catching Max Verstappen, but the Red Bulls have the track position in their favor.
Michael Jones May 29, 2022 4:51 PM
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Fernando Alonso of Alpine is looking for a good amount of points when the race enters the last 10 minutes. He is currently seventh and easily keeps Lewis Hamilton at bay.
(AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Jones May 29, 2022 4:49 p.m.
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Lando Norris has a 30-second lead over Fernando Alonso and decides to pit and put on a new set of tires.
Alonso sets a new fast lap time and begins to move away from Lewis Hamilton. He has handled his tires brilliantly.
Michael Jones May 29, 2022 4:46 PM
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There’s the potential for Sergio Perez to catch up on the back markers, as Fernando Alonso is horribly slowing down the rest of the group.
He is about 50 seconds ahead of this group grouped in the middle of the field.
Michael Jones May 29, 2022 4:43 PM
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“Surely I can push now and try to make mistakes with those in front of me? What’s the point of just sitting here?” asks Lando Norris on McLaren radio.
“We’re happy to push. The most important thing is that if it rains towards the end, we’ll have some rubber left to do it.” That is the answer.
Michael Jones May 29, 2022 4:40 p.m.
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There are about 20 laps left to run the clock to zero before one more to reach the checkered flag. No change at the top of the rankings.
Michael Jones May 29, 2022 4:39 PM
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Fernando Alonso fully supports the rest of the group in the task of maintaining their tires until the end of the race. Lewis Hamilton has yet to gain enough traction to catch Alonso in the Alpine and climb to seventh place.
Michael Jones29 May 2022 16:35
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Perez, Sainz and Verstappen opened a two-second lead over Charles Leclerc in fourth and George Russell comfortable in fifth. The Mercedes driver has finished all the races in the top five this season and looks set to do so again here.
Michael Jones May 29, 2022 4:34 PM
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There are 31 minutes left in the race and DRS has been enabled. This could set a near end if Carlos Sainz can get close enough to Perez to use him.
Michael Jones May 29, 2022 4:30 p.m.
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Lewis Hamilton is getting frustrated behind Fernando Alonso of Alpine in the battle for seventh place. There is pace in Mercedes ’car, as George Russell demonstrates following in the footsteps of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, but Hamilton can’t find a way to pass.
Alpine has told Alonso to manage the pace and bring the tires to the end of the race.
Michael Jones29 May 2022 16:28