Charles Leclerc denies Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen pole position in Monaco

Lewis Hamilton's 'natural ability is fantastic' says Button

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Lewis Hamilton will start seventh on the grid ahead of Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix after the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc secured pole position, despite the Monegasque bringing out the red flag by crashing at the Swimming Pool.

Leclerc set a 1:10:346, with Hamilton only able to muster a 1:11:095 – with Max Verstappen starting second ahead of Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

Hamilton was half a second off the pace of his team-mate’s fastest lap and will now start out of the top five, with his title rival in a prime position to grab some points away from the championship leader.

Hamilton was on a faster lap as the red flag came out, compounding his misery around the streets of Monaco, with qualifying position key in the principality.

Monaco doesn’t favour the championship leader too much, with just three wins in 13 attempts – and with just 14 points between himself and Verstappen, it’s advantage Red Bull coming into Sunday’s race.

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Monaco Grand Prix qualifying results LIVE: Charles Leclerc on pole

After setting the second quickest time of 1:10.576, Verstappen said: “It was unfortunate of course for the red flag, I felt really comfortable in qualifying, just building up to it.

“I think nobody was really putting a lap time in in the first lap, and that’s how we basically planned it out. To do two laps and your third lap is the fastest.

“It was all going really well, but the red flag ruined the chance for pole, but we’ll see.

“Nevertheless I think so far a very good weekend. We recovered well from Thursday so not too bad. Of course it’s easy to have a red flag but you don’t expect it.

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“You always plan around the best possible strategy and it was working out well. It’s just a shame about the red flag.”

Meanwhile Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who starts third ahead of Hamilton said: “It’s disappointing I didn’t get my last run with the red flag. That’s how it is sometimes. I left everything out there for the last run. The first run wasn’t really enough for pole. The second run with the fresh laps we did I was feeling good.

“I was quite a bit down on my lap time so I’m gutted.

“I think we made good progress throughout the week with the car. Definitely happier with it in qualifying. We should’ve had a shot at pole in the last run. We’ll try anything we can tomorrow in the race. It’s Monaco, anything can happen.”

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