Officially, Max Verstappen was Monaco’s fastest man, claiming his first pole position here like he was waving a magic wand in the dying seconds of the most thrilling qualifying session of the year.
But for once, the magnificence of the double world champion only underlined the brilliance of another. That star under cobalt blue skies was 41-year-old Fernando Alonso, who turned time and technology upside down with a combination of sheer willpower and enduring talent.
“I push like an animal,” said the Spaniard, who just set the fastest time after the first lap in Q3. He then recovered to the top with his second shot. Perhaps only Verstappen was left to ruin his perfect day.
Starting two tenths short of entering the final sector, Verstappen raced through the final corners in defiance of danger to finish 0.084 seconds clear. It was a great performance, but delivered in an unrivaled Red Bull. Alonso’s deeds were delivered in an Aston Martin that carried teammate Lance Stroll to just 14th fastest.
“I increased the risk to an uncomfortable level,” Alonso said, after missing what would have been his first pole in 3,961 days. He was delighted to have shown up in the front row and hugged his mechanics in celebration, knowing that a misstep from Max offered him the chance to win Monaco for the fourth time.
Max Verstappen (right) edged out Fernando Alonso (left) on pole position at the Monaco GP
The reigning world champion had achieved a thrilling third and final sector on his last lap
But he hasn’t won anywhere in a decade, as he’s scoured the molasses in tricky areas of the grid. The switch to Aston this year, with their sudden competitiveness, has reignited the fire. “It’s a very short run into Turn 1,” Alonso said. “We normally have a good start. Max is a bit inconsistent so maybe he’ll have one of those bad ones tomorrow.
“I have never lost my self-confidence over the years. I may be overconfident, but it’s part of my DNA. But my form is proof for a younger generation who have only seen me struggling to get into Q3 or with smoke at the back to realize that I am fast.
It was also a chance for Monaco skeptics to see the principality at its best. Crowded stalls, floating yachts and narrow walls that get adrenaline pumping faster than inflation. We must remember that all drama, or lack thereof, materializes on 78 rpm today.
If Alonso’s mood was as bright as the sun, the atmosphere at Mercedes was gauged after Lewis Hamilton qualified sixth – although he moved up a place after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was demoted to three places from third for blocking McLaren’s Lando Norris – and George Russell eighth, four tenths and six tenths back respectively.
This after the introduction of their set of major upgrades – a new floor, front suspension, cooling system and side deck. While a definitive judgment on its effectiveness will have to await further analysis, it doesn’t appear to be the biggest game-changer since this water was turned into wine.
Russell, Hamilton and boss Toto Wolff all publicly highlighted the positives in post-qualifying interviews, but the jury is out.
Hamilton struggled throughout the afternoon and just fought his way out of Q1 and Q2, his confidence perhaps a bit shaky after crashing in the third practice plus early in the day.
“Man, this car is hard to drive, mate,” he complained over the radio. Wolff then attributed Hamilton’s angst to a set-up bet, rather than the upgrade itself.
Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez was doomed to start at the back when he crashed at the first corner, Sainte Dévote, in the opening minutes of qualifying. The Mexican carried too much speed into the corner and banged the back of his Red Bull into the palisades.
Alonso and Verstappen were joined by Charles Leclerc in the top three during the session
Behind the two double world champions, in third position, was Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari local. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon was the fourth fastest surprise, with Carlos Sainz fifth and Lewis Hamilton sixth, four tenths behind despite a major “upgrade” from his Mercedes.
Next came Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, ahead of George Russell in a disappointing eight into the other Silver Arrow, six tenths behind.
Hamilton was rushing throughout and had just smashed his way into both Q1 and Q2. With his confidence perhaps a little shaky after crashing in third practice earlier in the afternoon, he missed the chicane in Q1 before setting an adequate lap on the final attempt.
In Q2, he was struggling everywhere. He grazed his car at the pool chicane and only reached Q3 within seconds of the session. “Man, this car is hard to drive, mate,” he complained to the pit wall.
It was hardly a ringing endorsement of its new front suspension, floor pan, cooling system and redesigned sidepods that was hailed as a cure for Mercedes’ season and a half of woe.
Lewis Hamilton (above) struggled throughout the session and qualified sixth for the race
Sergio Perez, meanwhile, crashed out in Q1 and will start the showpiece from the back of the grid
Verstappen’s team-mate Sergio Perez was condemned to go deep when he crashed at the first corner, Sainte Dévote, in the opening minutes of qualifying.
The Mexican, who is Verstappen’s closest challenger in the standings, 14 points behind, carried too much speed into the corner and banged the left rear of his car into the palisades. He returned to the pits, knowing he faced a difficult task to make serious progress on a narrow track renowned for its scarcity of overtaking opportunities.
Not that it’s impossible, as Michael Schumacher showed when he started at the back in 2006 and worked his way up to fifth after the shame of parking his Ferrari on the line. racing during qualifying on the day of his greatest infamy.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was 10th best.
