Hello and welcome in to this live blog for the qualifying session of the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton is the favourite, as ever, after his recent heroics in Barcelona and Portimao. The track in Monaco, fitted into the very streets of the Principality, is a massive test in precision and composure given its countless twists and turns in tight spaces.
F1 Monaco GP 2021 – Monaco Grand Prix qualifying LIVE
This is the beginning of our Monaco GP qualifying live blog, with the most recent entries coming nearest the top. We’ll have all the latest news from the track in the Principality, so follow along with us!
16:05 CEST: Leclerc wins it
It’s a first pole for Ferrari in qualifying since Mexico 2019, in unconventional fashion. It was an excellent run from Leclerc, who attains pole despite crashing into the barriers with just 18 seconds of the race left.
16:00 CEST: Red flag and pole for Leclerc!
In pole position and with just 18 seconds to go, Leclerc crashes into the barrier, but he has the fastest time and will start the Monaco Grand Prix first!
15:52 CEST: Leclerc with a rapid lap
A 1:10.346 lap from Leclerc give him a 0.2 second advantage on Verstappen. Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, isn’t far off Verstappen either.
15:45 CEST: Verstappen on fire
“Max Verstappen makes a strong start to Q3 with a 1:10.576 to get off the mark.
But Valtteri Bottas ends his lap only 0.060s behind the Red Bull, so a decent start for the Merc too.
Can Ferrari beat both? Leclerc and Sainz next up.
