Monaco Grand Prix – Leclerc and the fear of losing everything

Who would have believed it? Charles Leclerc clinched pole position in Monaco! Already a resounding piece of news, as Ferrari has not been competing at the very top since the start of the season.

The home team achieved a feat, but it is also at the heart of the questions: will his Ferrari be repaired without penalty? Because the former Sauber driver involuntarily stopped the Q3 summit. Leclerc bent his suspension before the Piscine esses, ending his session in the wall. Red flag deployed and pole position validated, having done the job beforehand.

Under the applause of the half-full crowd, the poleman of the 2021 edition is cautious. “I still don’t know if I will start first or last,” Leclerc said on Canal+. “It will depend on the gearbox if it’s broken or not, I hope not! It didn’t look good when I checked the back of the car. Fingers crossed and we’ll see.”

Leclerc: « it didn’t look great when I looked at the back of the car. We cross our fingers and we’ll see. »

Already first in Q2, Leclerc confirmed the hopes born on a Thursday already at the top. Unthinkable? « I wasn’t great in the first sector. But then I put everything in order. I never say that a lap was perfect but I was very happy with my lap » underlined Leclerc.

Now, time for a stressful evening! If the gearbox is damaged, then the Ferrari star will move down the starting grid. The main person involved remains pragmatic. It will be necessary to accept the decision. If the box is intact, that’s great, otherwise we will also focus on tomorrow. Still difficult to keep a cool head at the 78th lap of a unique dream: succeeding Louis Chiron as the Monaco Grand Prix winner.

Satisfaction quand même pour Mattia Binotto

Satisfaction nonetheless for Mattia Binotto

And behind the pole, Ferrari brings back a very good overall result with Sainz in 4th place, still hindered by the red flag shown after Leclerc’s crash.

Satisfaction obviously in summary for the Scuderia and its team principal: “I believe we are happy with the pole position, and even more so with the car’s performance since Thursday. Both drivers are comfortable, it’s very good,” Mattia Binotto highlighted on Canal+.

On Sainz, Binotto quickly dismisses a frustration perceived by the Spanish driver. « I believe he is a bit disappointed because he expected to do better. But that’s part of the game. Our current concern is mainly Charles’ car. We will have to check the condition of the car a little, especially the gearbox. We are focusing on it. We hope to start in pole position! »

Mattia Binotto: « Our main concern at the moment is Charles’ car. »

On the stats side, Ferrari secured its first pole position in Formula 1 in over a year and a half. The legendary team is also making a comeback in Monaco, since the first place obtained in qualifying in 2017 by Kimi Räikkönen.