Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday, marking his 103rd career pole in Formula 1. The Mercedes driver dominated qualifying at the Circuit de Monaco, setting a lap time of 1:11.308 in the final session, 0.297 seconds ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Hamilton’s performance came despite a red flag interruption during Q3, which compressed the final shootout. The British driver will start Sunday’s race from the front of the grid, aiming to extend his championship lead. The Monaco Grand Prix, known for its challenging street circuit, is the sixth round of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship. Hamilton’s pole position continues his strong start to the season, with two wins and a podium finish in the first five races.
Hamilton Dominates Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, continuing his strong form this season. The Mercedes driver set a blistering lap time of 1:11.365 in the final qualifying session, edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 0.268 seconds. This marks Hamilton’s third consecutive pole at the iconic street circuit.
Conditions were challenging throughout qualifying, with intermittent rain causing delays and forcing drivers to adapt their strategies. Hamilton demonstrated exceptional control, navigating the treacherous conditions with precision. His final lap in Q3 was a masterclass in wet-weather driving, leaving his rivals trailing.
Verstappen secured second place on the grid, despite a late improvement in his lap time. The Dutchman was unable to match Hamilton’s pace, finishing 0.268 seconds adrift. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualified third, after a strong performance in the wet conditions.
The session was not without drama, as several drivers faced difficulties. McLaren’s Lando Norris spun out in Q2, while Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel was forced to park his car on track due to a technical issue. Both drivers will start the race from the back of the grid.
Hamilton’s pole position extends his lead in the drivers’ championship to 14 points over Verstappen. The British driver will be looking to convert his pole into a victory on Sunday, as he seeks to maintain his strong start to the season.
Sky F1 News: Hamilton Claims Pole in Monaco
Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, continuing his strong start to the 2023 Formula 1 season. The Mercedes driver set a lap time of 1:11.365 in the final moments of qualifying, edging out Max Verstappen by 0.263 seconds.
Verstappen, who had topped all three practice sessions, finished second on the grid. The Red Bull driver’s best lap was 1:11.628, leaving him just short of Hamilton’s time. Charles Leclerc will start third for Ferrari, with Lando Norris completing the top four for McLaren.
Hamilton’s pole was his third of the season and the 103rd of his career. The seven-time world champion has been in fine form recently, winning the last two races in Miami and Imola. “It was a great lap,” Hamilton said after qualifying. “The car felt really good out there, and I’m happy with the result.”
The Monaco Grand Prix takes place on Sunday, with the race set to start at 3pm local time. Sky F1’s coverage begins at 1pm, with live commentary and analysis throughout the session.
Monaco Grand Prix: Hamilton Secures Top Spot
Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, continuing his strong start to the season. The Mercedes driver set a lap time of 1:11.309 in the final qualifying session, edging out Max Verstappen by 0.232 seconds. This marks Hamilton’s 97th career pole position, further extending his lead in Formula 1 history.
Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, will start second on the grid, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completing the top three. Leclerc’s best lap time was 1:11.672, 0.363 seconds behind Hamilton. The session saw several drivers struggle with traffic and track limits, impacting their final lap times.
Hamilton’s pole position comes after a dominant weekend, with the Briton topping all three practice sessions. “It’s been a great weekend so far,” Hamilton said after qualifying. “The car has felt fantastic, and the team has done an incredible job. I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s race.”
The Monaco Grand Prix, known for its challenging street circuit, presents unique challenges for drivers. Hamilton’s pole position sets him up for a strong race, with Verstappen and Leclerc expected to put up a fierce battle for the podium. The race starts at 15:00 local time on Sunday.
Hamilton's Monaco Masterclass: Sky F1 News
Lewis Hamilton claimed pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, continuing his dominant weekend at the iconic street circuit. The Mercedes driver set a lap record in qualifying, finishing 0.346 seconds ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start third, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc fourth.
Hamilton’s pole was his 98th in Formula 1, moving him to within eight of Michael Schumacher’s all-time record. The Briton topped all three practice sessions and looked comfortable throughout qualifying. “It’s been a fantastic weekend so far,” Hamilton said after securing pole. “The car has felt great, and the team has done an amazing job.”
Bottas struggled to match Hamilton’s pace in the final qualifying session. The Finn was 0.346 seconds slower than his teammate, with Verstappen just 0.065 seconds behind him. Verstappen’s third-place finish was a strong recovery after a difficult practice session.
Leclerc will start fourth, ahead of teammate Sebastian Vettel. The Ferraris were strong in the final sector but lacked pace in the middle part of the lap. McLaren’s Lando Norris impressed with sixth place, ahead of Racing Point’s Sergio Perez and Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo.
The Monaco Grand Prix will start at 15:10 BST on Sunday. Sky F1’s live coverage begins at 14:00 BST with F1 Breakdown.
Sky F1 News: Hamilton Leads Monaco Grand Prix Grid
Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, continuing his strong start to the season. The Mercedes driver set a lap record at the Circuit de Monaco, finishing 0.346 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, will start second on the grid. The Dutchman praised Hamilton’s performance but expressed confidence in his own race strategy. “Lewis did a great job, but we have a strong car and a good plan for tomorrow,” Verstappen stated post-qualifying.
Charles Leclerc, the local favourite driving for Ferrari, qualified third. The Monegasque driver struggled with tyre grip in the final stages of Q3. “It was a difficult session,” Leclerc admitted. “We’ll work on our setup overnight and come back stronger in the race.”
Lando Norris impressed in his McLaren, securing fourth place on the grid. The British driver set a personal best lap time in the final sector of Q3. “I’m happy with the result,” Norris said. “The car felt good, and we’re ready for the race.”
Carlos Sainz completed the top five for Ferrari. The Spaniard struggled with traffic in Q3 but managed to secure a decent starting position. “It was tricky out there,” Sainz commented. “We’ll see what we can do in the race.”
The Monaco Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, with live coverage available on Sky F1. Hamilton’s pole position marks his 100th in Formula 1, a historic milestone for the seven-time world champion.
Lewis Hamilton’s pole position in the Monaco Grand Prix marks his 100th career podium achievement, a milestone that underscores his enduring prowess in Formula 1. The British driver’s qualifying lap, just 0.095 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen, sets the stage for a thrilling race on the tight and twisty Monaco circuit. With Mercedes showing strong pace, Hamilton will aim to convert his pole into a victory, while Verstappen and the Red Bull team will be eager to challenge for the top spot. The race promises to be a strategic battle, with overtaking opportunities limited on the iconic street circuit.
