Grab pole here and you are very likely to win the race on Sunday. Of the last 21 Monaco Grands Prix, only six have been won by drivers from a non-pole position. “We’ll give it everything we have,” says Max Verstappen. “We’re in a better position than where I expected to be.” Prince Albert is meeting the drivers. Lewis Hamilton is thanking his garage for fixing his Ferrari. Leclerc has been quickest in every practice session and is looking to secure his second front-row spot in a row in his home town. Maybe it’s easier when you know every turn. Could I grab pole on the Silk Road in Macclesfield? No, probably not, I’m a safe driver. But I know the camber like the back of my hand. The Hamilton prang saw Lewis hit a tighter line and come a cropper. He was going for it, really flying. There’s little margin for error at Monaco as history tells us. Monte Carlo, the most symbolic and glamorous GP of them all. As a race the tight streets of Monaco mean passing moves are low on success rate so perhaps qualifying is where the real juice is, and the principality sees its best, speediest racing. The news from practice is that Lewis Hamilton has had a late prang – that will keep the Ferrari mechanics busy. Charles Leclerc was quickest so they may be on the right lines though Max Verstappen looks menacingly in form. Here’s the final practice times: 1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 1:10.953 2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.280 (medium) 3. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.294 4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.445 5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.563 6. Alex Albon (Williams) +0.715 7. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +0.861 8. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +0.940 9. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) +0.999 10. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +1.060 11. George Russell (Mercedes) 12. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 13. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) 14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 15. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 16. Oliver Bearman (Haas) 17. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) 18. Esteban Ocon (Haas) 19. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) 20. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) Q1 begins at 3pm UK time. Join me.
Author: John Brewin