F1 LIVE: Monaco Grand Prix updates as Charles Leclerc leads wet race after delayed start

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured pole position with an incredible lap in Saturday’s Formula 1 qualifying session and will be looking to complete a sensational home victory at the Monaco Grand Prix this afternoon. The Prancing Horse locked out on the front row with Leclerc’s teammate, Carlos Sainz, taking second ahead of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez despite the pair colliding at the end of qualifying after the Red Bull ran into the barriers.

The current world champion and title race leader Max Verstappen could only manage fourth after struggling to get the most out of his car on the famous street circuit. Leclerc is six points behind Verstappen in the standings and has a great opportunity to leap ahead of the Dutchman as pole position is vital for the race due to the lack of overtaking opportunities around the track.

McLaren’s Lando Norris battled to take fifth on the grid ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, who again out-qualified seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, who will start in eighth.

Follow all the action from the Monaco Grand Prix:

Monaco Grand Prix latest updates

Sudden downpour delays start in Monte Carlo

Battle of tyre strategy as track dries out

Mick Schumacher comes through nasty crash as car splits

Sergio Perez beats Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen to victory

Monaco Grand Prix

17:07 , Michael Jones

The top 10:

1) Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

2) Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

3) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5) George Russell (Mercedes)

6) Lando Norris (McLaren)

7) Fernando Alonso (Alpine)

8) Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

9) Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)

10) Sebastain Vettel (Aston Martin)

Sergio Perez wins the Monaco Grand Prix!

17:02 , Michael Jones

Carlos Sainz finishes behind a Red Bull into second once again and Max Verstappen completes the podium.

Charles Leclerc and George Russell complete the top five.

Monaco Grand Prix

17:01 , Michael Jones

The timer runs out and Perez starts the final lap. He’s got a one second lead over Carlos Sainz and there won’t be any overtaking from the Ferraris.

Story continues

Monaco Grand Prix

16:59 , Michael Jones

Two minutes, three laps to go. The leaders catch the back markers and there’s a bit of nerves as Nicolas Latifi lets them all through. Still no moves from Sainz on Perez.

Perez has started to back off to keep the remaining laps to a minimum.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:56 , Michael Jones

Five minutes to go in the Monaco Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz continues to pressure Sergio Perez whilst dealing with Max Verstappen. Perez continues to hold off the Ferrari. This will be an impressive victory if he can make it to the chequered flag.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:55 , Michael Jones

Carlos Sainz gets close to Perez out of Portier into the tunnel and tries to take the Mexican on the inside through the Nouvelle Chicane but can’t pull it off.

Nothing to separate the top four cars at all.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:51 , Michael Jones

Carlos Sainz has closed the distance on the leader Sergio Perez. Ferrari’s decision to stay out on the hard tyres seems to be paying off now as the Red Bull’s begin to falter.

Charles Leclerc is also catching Max Verstappen but the Red Bulls have the track position in their favour.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:49 , Michael Jones

Alpine’s Fernando Alonso is looking at a decent points haul as the race enters the final 10 minutes. He’s currently seventh and holding Lewis Hamilton easily at bay.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Monaco Grand Prix

16:46 , Michael Jones

Lando Norris has a 30 second lead over Fernando Alonso and decides to pit and put on a new set of tyres.

Alonso sets a new fastest lap time and begins to pull away from Lewis Hamilton. He’s managed his tyres brilliantly.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:43 , Michael Jones

There’s the potential for Sergio Perez to catch up to the back markers as Fernando Alonso is horribly slowing down the rest of the pack.

He’s about 50 seconds ahead of this bunched group in the middle of the field.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:40 , Michael Jones

“Surely I can just push now and try to make a mistake from those ahead? What is the point of just sitting here?” asks Lando Norris over the McLaren radio.

“We are happy to push. The key thing is to that if rain came towards the end that we have some rubber left to deal with it.” Is the reply.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:39 , Michael Jones

About 20 laps to go to run the clock to zero before one more to reach the chequered flag. No change at the top of the leaderboard.

1) Sergio Perez

2) Carlos Sainz

3) Max Verstappen

4) Charles Leclerc

5) George Russell

Monaco Grand Prix

16:35 , Michael Jones

Fernando Alonso is fully holding up the rest of the pack in the task of maintaining his tyres to the end of the race. Lewis Hamilton hasn’t gained enough traction yet to catch Alonso in the Alpine and move up into seventh spot.

24 minutes to go.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:34 , Michael Jones

Perez, Sainz and Verstappen have opened a two second gap on Charles Leclerc in fourth with George Russell comfortable in fifth. The Mercedes driver has finished every race in the top five this season and looks set to do so again here.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:30 , Michael Jones

31 minutes left in the race and DRS has been enabled. This could set up a close finish if Carlos Sainz can get close enough to Perez to utilise it.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:28 , Michael Jones

Lewis Hamilton is getting frustrated behind Alpine’s Fernando Alonso in the battle for seventh. There is pace in the Mercedes car as evidenced by George Russell keeping pace with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc but Hamilton can’t find a way past.

Alpine have told Alonso to manage the pace and take the tyres to the end of the race.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:25 , Michael Jones

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are managing their hard tyres pretty well but Sergio Perez puts in a new fastest lap with the warmed up mediums. His new time is 1:19.112.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:23 , Michael Jones

George Russell sets a new fastest lap with a 1:20.929 on the medium compact tyres. He leads Lando Norris, 1.5 seconds behind Charles Leclerc.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:21 , Michael Jones

Sergio Perez has never led the Monaco Grand Prix before and bombs it down the straight ahead of Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen.

Charles Leclerc has already lost a bit of ground on Verstappen.

Perez heads into Mirabeau and locks up but manages to make the right turn.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:19 , Michael Jones

All the lapped cars have unlapped themselves. Red Bull are going to have a performance advantage on the medium tyres which should get them through the 40 minutes remaining in the race.

The safety car will enter the pits at the end of this lap, number 32.

Green light! 🟢

16:16 , Michael Jones

The two Red Bulls have a new set of medium tyres. Charles Leclerc is on a new set of hard tyres. They all head out behind the safety car.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:12 , Michael Jones

The track is now clear and ready to go. The race will resume in four minutes or so. The drivers need to make it through 58 laps to be awarded full points if the two hour timer runs out.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:06 , Michael Jones

The race will resume with a just announced rolling start at quarter-past four. That’s good news for race leader Sergio Perez and Red Bull as it reduces the chance for Carlos Sainz to overtake him on the restart.

Monaco Grand Prix

16:04 , Michael Jones

How must Charles Leclerc be feeling now?

The Monegasque native has never finished a race at his home grand prix, he didn’t even start the race last year despite claiming pole position and is now down in fourth spot having again started at the front of the grid.

And it looks as though he won’t get the chance to recover those places.

(Getty Images)

Monaco Grand Prix

16:02 , Michael Jones

Under red flag conditions, the teams are allowed to put any tyres they want to on the cars. What will Red Bull and Ferrari decide to do?

Mick Schumacher is being led over to the doctor. This is the reason why the red flag came out.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Christian Horner speaking about Red Bull’s chances to win

15:58 , Michael Jones

“It’s a very dynamic race out there – we’ve got the call right onto the inter at the right time. Great lap from Checo [Sergio Perez] on his out lap and we managed to get both Ferraris so that was great team work.

“I would be surprised if they red flag this – we should get going again.

“We’re not even half way so there’s a long way to go in this race – we’ve just got to be on our toes.”

Red flag! 🛑

15:57 , Michael Jones

The red flags come out as time is needed to fix the barriers where Schumacher hit them.

30 laps down and no further rain expected. These tyres are expected to last until the end of the race and Charles Leclerc is not happy at all.

He’s dropped from first to fourth and will want to know how that happened.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:52 , Michael Jones

The debris from Schumacher’s car is being cleared away and the field bunches up behind the safety car. Sergio Perez leads the way for Red Bull.

Christian Horner doesn’t think this crash is going to result in a red flag.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:50 , Michael Jones

Nightmare for Haas! Kevin Magnussen is already out of the race and now Mick Schumacher has crashed at the entrance to the swimming pool chicane.

He’s okay but the car is in two pieces. The safety car is coming out.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:48 , Michael Jones

26 laps down, here’s the top five:

1. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. George Russell (Mercedes)

Monaco Grand Prix

15:47 , Michael Jones

Lap 23 and Carlos Sainz makes an exceptional save as he’s forced onto the wet part of the track and almost slides into the barriers. Incredibly he manages to hold it but gives up a bit a time to the leader Sergio Perez.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:46 , Michael Jones

George Russell has just set a new fastest lap of 1:23.633. He’s up to fifth as Hamilton finally goes ahead of Ocon to move back to eighth.

All the cars bar Lance Stroll and Alex Albon are onto the hard tyres now.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:43 , Michael Jones

Red Bull follow Ferrari in a double change onto the slicks and Sergio Perez comes out ahead of Carlos Sainz!

Max Verstappen also beats Charles Leclerc into the first corner.

Red Bull lead the race with Perez, then Sainz, Verstappen and Leclerc.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:42 , Michael Jones

A double pit for Ferrari as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc both switch onto the slicks. Red Bull’s Perez and Verstappen are out in front with both on intermediate tyres.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:39 , Michael Jones

Esteban Ocon and Lewis Hamilton are grappling each other near Sainte Devote. Ocon tries to defend his position as Hamilton thinks he can make a move but the cars collide and the Mercedes comes off worse.

Ocon continues to frustrate Hamilton.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:37 , Michael Jones

Carlos Sainz is committing to slicks as he moves into the lead with Charles Leclerc switching to inters with a pit stop. Sergio Perez is 10 seconds off the leader but is setting the fastest laps.

Sainz has to hold him off. Leclerc returns to the circuit in third ahead of Verstappen.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:35 , Michael Jones

Lando Norris is being brought into the pit for inters as well. Ferrari seem to be committing to waiting for the slicks. A rough estimate is 10-12 laps before the track is fully dry.

17 laps down already. 60 to go.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:34 , Michael Jones

Hamilton drops behind Ocon after the pit stop as Sergio Perez comes into the pits.

A quick stop for the Red Bull and he gets out just ahead of George Russell with the quicker running intermediates.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:31 , Michael Jones

“We are going to go straight to dry.” says Carlos Sainz over the radio.

Ferrari are going to try and stay out on the wet and skip a change to intermediates before moving to the quicker dry tyres at the opportune moment.

Lewis Hamilton has been told to box. He’s being put on intermediates.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:29 , Michael Jones

Daniel Ricciardo slides sideways into Rascasse and makes it difficult for Gasly to go past him. There’s a real battle going on for 12th place at the moment.

Gasly is right on his tail and he completes the overtake at the swimming pool turn.

Intermediate tyres are certainly the way to go.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:27 , Michael Jones

Charles Leclerc leads from Sainz and sets a new fastest lap time of 1:35.323. There’s no change to the top eight.

Gasly goes down the inside of Zhou’s Alfa Romeo and completes the move, he’s now got Daniel Ricciardo in his sights.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:25 , Michael Jones

Pierre Gasly has closed the gap on Zhou Ganyu but is being held up with the lack of overtaking opportunity.

Alex Albon goes off and drops down to 16th.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:22 , Michael Jones

“Schumacher, Gasly and Latifi have all pitted for intermediates but it doesn’t look particularly easy.” Those are the words on Daniel Ricciardo’s radio.

Pierre Gasly is still slower per lap than Charles Leclerc despite being on the intermediates.

George Russell has been told to push up on Lando Norris who says he’s going flat out on the McLaren radio.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:17 , Michael Jones

Five laps into the race now and Pierre Gasly has set the fastest lap of the race with a 1:39:431. Is that the sign for the leaders to start thinking about pitting?

Monaco Grand Prix

15:16 , Michael Jones

No more rain expected for at least 20 minutes so the question for the teams is when to time their tyre changes.

Max Verstappen has closed the gap on his teammate Sergio Perez heading into the Nouvelle Chicane.

Charles Leclerc has recorded the quickest lap of 1:39.679.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:13 , Michael Jones

Charles Leclerc has already opened up a two second lead on Carlos Sainz behind him after just the first lap not behind the safety car.

At the back of the pack, Pierre Gasly, Nicolas Latifi and Lance Stroll have all gone on the intermediate tyres but there isn’t a great deal of difference between them and the extreme wets so far.

Green light! 🟢

15:11 , Michael Jones

Charles Leclerc leads down the straight and the back end slides out but he holds it well enough.

Pierre Gasly comes into the pits immeditately to change to intermediate tyres.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:09 , Michael Jones

Nicolas Latifi went into the barriers and Lance Stroll has a right rear wheel puncture.

The safety car will pull into the pits at the end of this lap and a rolling start will happen.

There’ll be 77 laps and two have occured behind the safety car.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:05 , Michael Jones

The two hour clock has started to tick down as the cars make their way out of the pit lane behind the safety car.

It’s been 45 minutes since the red flag pulled the cars into the pits.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:02 , Michael Jones

The race will resume/start in three minutes time behind the safety car.

That probably means a rolling start and that the previous laps behind the safety car should be taken off the expected 78.

Monaco Grand Prix

15:00 , Michael Jones

The race has not yet started and there is some debate over what kind of start will occur. A standing start would mean that the team’s could choose their starting tyres with most probably electing for intermediates.

A formation lap start behind the safety car would mean that the cars have to start on the extreme wet tyres.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:56 , Michael Jones

The 10 minute signal has just started flashing. The starting procedure will get going again now.

Puddles are being swept off the track and the pit lane. The drivers are making their way back to their cars.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:53 , Michael Jones

The rain stopped completely about five minutes ago and the sun is starting to shine through the crowd.

Didn’t think I’d be giving this many weather updates on the F1 today but here we are.

The mechanics continue to work on the cars, still sat under the erected gazebos.

Can we get the cars out soon?

Monaco Grand Prix

14:46 , Michael Jones

The tv cameras are looking into the Red Bull garage where Sergio Perez is going through some stretches and Max Verstappen pis patiently waiting to get going again.

The dark clouds are moving away from the circuit.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:42 , Michael Jones

Monaco Grand Prix

14:36 , Michael Jones

Quite a few of the teams are ready to go again, they think the conditions are acceptable for racing now. Still no sign of the safety car to check on the track conditions though.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:35 , Michael Jones

Still no sign of the start time but the rain has slackened off considerably.

Christian Horner speaking to Sky Sports

14:30 , Michael Jones

“Its the right thing to have stopped it now but I’m not sure why we didn’t get going in the first place – but now it’s too wet to be racing out there.

“We were neutral to it [the rain] – we needed something, whether it was a safety car or whatever. If we were on pole we would be a lot less happy with the weather but being in the second row it does create something.

“It depends on the conditions – a standing start would be dangerous right now. We’re expecting rain for 10 minutes and then for it to get better – if it does start to clear a bit then a standing start would be preferable.

“We’ve all got radars that we’re tuned into but there is a bit of a micro-climate in Monaco and then I think some confusion was caused by the change and the delay.”

Monaco Grand Prix

14:26 , Michael Jones

“I’ve never got this wet in a Formula 1 car ever.” says Mick Schumacher on the Haas radio.

Over in the pit lane, tents are going up over some of the cars to keep them dry.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:24 , Michael Jones

“It’s too wet to be having a race out there.” says Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner. He says rain is expected for the next 10 minutes or so before clearing up a bit.

The drivers have got out of the cars, the race won’t be starting anytime soon.

Red flag! 🛑

14:21 , Michael Jones

Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo both signal back on the radio to say that the track is wetter than expected.

“It’s very wet now.” says Leclerc.

So much so that the red flag has come out and the teams are heading back to the pits.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:18 , Michael Jones

The safety car sets off on the formation lap and Charles Leclerc slides off the line to follow it.

There’s a lot of spray as the cars come through the tunnel into the Nouvelle Chicane.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:15 , Michael Jones

Carlos Sainz has changed his helmet, opting for a new visor to avoid it fogging up.

None of the laps behind the safety car will count towards the 78 laps.

Lewis Hamilton tells his team to stay calm over the radio.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:12 , Michael Jones

It’s chucking it down again now. All the cars have the extreme wet tyres, the track is wet, and the formation lap should begin in four minutes time.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:08 , Michael Jones

The start is delayed by a further 10 minutes and there is confusion about why.

“Why are we not starting the race?” asks Max Verstapppen over the radio when told about the delay.

The rain starts to pick up again. The race is due to start around quarter-past now.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:06 , Michael Jones

Due to the formation lap coming behind a safety car the teams have to start on the wet tyres. Although the track looks slick, the rain has pretty much stopped and it isn’t wet conditions yet.

“Expect rain a few laps into the race,” Red Bull tell Sergio Perez. “Three or four laps into the race.”

“There is heavy rain coming the next couple of minutes,” Alfa Romeo tells Valterri Bottas.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:03 , Michael Jones

The formation lap will be started behind the safety car. The rain has slowed down but the decision to go with slicks or intermediate is a big one.

There’s a lot of activity on the grid as the teams try to work out the best solutions to start with. Some teams are electing to go with the extreme wet tyres including Lando Norris’ McLaren.

Monaco Grand Prix

14:00 , Michael Jones

78 laps, 3.337km.

The start procedure has been suspended as the track has been soaked due to the downpour.

With the change in climate conditions the teams are allowed to switch out components. Most cars have been fitted with intermediate tyres.

The race will now start at 2:09pm.

Who’s ready for lights out?

13:56 , Michael Jones

This could be a very exciting start to the Monaco Grand Prix.

Here comes the rain!

13:51 , Michael Jones

The weather that has been threatening this morning has arrived. The supporters are putting up umbrellas and wrapping themselves in waterproofs.

The weather will determine which tyres get put on the cars ahead of lights out. Intermediate tyres are the ones for wet conditions. What will the teams decide?

Celebrities out on force

13:46 , Michael Jones

The Monaco Grand Prix is known for it’s opulence and it’s celebrity guests and today’s race day is no different. The famous fans are out in force, the cars are wheeled onto the grid.

The first drops of rain are falling though.

Russell hoping for rain

13:42 , Michael Jones

Most of the talk around the paddock is about the weather. If it starts to rain then the race may cause a bit of excitement, allowing those at the back of the grid to move up the field.

George Russell says it could be a long race at P5 and P6 if it stays dry so he wouldn’t mind a bit rain to spice up proceedings.

Russell continues to impress for Mercedes

13:39 , Michael Jones

George Russell lines up sixth, two places ahead of Lewis Hamilton, despite colliding with the wall in final qualifying.

“On my quickest lap actually hit the wall on the left after the tunnel,” said Russell. “Which is impressive to see, I have a steering lock the same rate, and you sort of see the wishbone sort of bend in, and somehow I just managed to keep it together.

“I managed to finish the lap and it all seemed in one piece. We’ll probably have to check the toes and see. It’s all about playing with fire when you have a wall brush and get away with it. You’re like, ‘Wow, I don’t really know how we managed that.’”

Red Bull in with a chance

13:35 , Michael Jones

Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, says that Charles Leclerc is the favourite to win the race due to his pole position but believes that Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen are in with a chance if the luck turns their way.

Will that luck come with the rain?

P5 start for Norris

13:30 , Michael Jones

Lando Norris is very happy with his finish to qualifying after a tough time dealing with illness and tonsillitis at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The 22-year-old was only +0.248 seconds slower than Max Verstappen and has a great chance to put more points on the board for McLaren today. He said:

“The car has been feeling very good all weekend, I’ve been comfortable in it.

“I’ve had confidence to do the laps when I have needed to. I’ve been happy, but just a shame we missed out on that little bit extra.”

Pit lane is open

13:22 , Michael Jones

40 minutes to go until the start of the race and the pit lane is open to allow the cars onto the track for some warm-up laps.

AlphaTauri and Williams are out first with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc not far behind them.

Alonso ruing ‘mistake’ in qualifying

13:19 , Michael Jones

Alpine’s Fernando Alonso will start today’s Grand Prix in P7, but was left unsatisfied by the result, believing that qualifying in the top five was a possibility.

The Spaniard won here in consective races back in 2011 and 2012 but shouldered the responsibility for not preparing the car properly in qualifying.

“I made a mistake,” he said. “The out-lap was not ideal so the brakes were cold already in Turn 1, Turn 3, Turn 4; I was thinking if I should keep pushing or not because I did not feel the car was right, or the preparation right.

“And then I was looking at the steering wheel and I braked too late for Turn 5, so it was a very stupid mistake. It hurts a little bit because I think there is more potential in the car, so it was my mistake today, I didn’t complete the lap, so maybe P5 was possible, and I made that mistake.”

Daniel Ricciardo admits he is performing below expectations with McLaren

13:15 , Michael Jones

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that his early performances in the 2022 Formula 1 season have been short of his own expectations.

The McLaren driver has recorded just a single finish in top ten in the opening six races, finishing sixth at his home Australian Grand Prix but otherwise failing to score.

Zak Brown, team principal at McLaren, this week suggested to Sky Sports that Ricciardo’s early-season form had been below where both team and driver had expected the Australian to be.

Daniel Ricciardo admits he is performing below expectations with McLaren

Perez talks Q3 crash

13:10 , Michael Jones

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez put an early end to the third and final qualifying session yesterday by crashing into the barriers before being hit by Carlos Sainz of Ferrari.

“It was just a mess, that Q3 lap, with people not respecting the deltas and I just ended up too cold.” he explained,

“Everyone was backing out in the final sector so the tyres were too cold and I nearly lost it into Turn 1. I thought the tyres were going ti pick up some temperature through the lap but it was just not there.

“I tried too much on that lap.”

(Getty Images)

Calm Leclerc ready for the race

13:06 , Michael Jones

Lewis Hamilton able to wear jewellery in Monaco as exemption extended

13:03 , Michael Jones

Lewis Hamilton will be able to race in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix wearing jewellery after his exemption was extended.

The seven-time world champion, 37, was told in Miami earlier this month that his nose stud – which he says cannot be easily removed – must be taken out for the seventh round of the campaign in Monte Carlo.

But Formula One’s ruling body, the FIA, who are enforcing the jewellery clampdown on safety grounds, have granted Hamilton a new deadline of June 30 – three days before the British Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton able to wear jewellery in Monaco as exemption extended

Ferrari prepared for rain

12:58 , Michael Jones

Charles Leclerc says that Ferrari are prepared for the potential of rain arriving after their good showing in the wet at Imola and believes that the team has enough pace to secure the win this afternoon. He said:

Race pace was good (on Friday), we only did, like, three or four laps, but it looks good. So hopefully it will be the case. There’s a bit of a chance of rain too.

“But yeah, that’s fine. We were strong in the rain in Imola, so whatever comes we’ll try to make the best out of it and finally have a good result at home.”

Can Leclerc finish the race?

12:54 , Michael Jones

Charles Leclerc has never finished a race at Monaco – the place he was born – even going back to the junior categories.

Last year, he took pole, then crashed at the end of qualifying and his car broke down on the way to the grid. He even crashed out in an exhibition earlier this month while driving Niki Lauda’s 1974 Ferrari 312 B3.

Now, with team-mate Carlos Sainz alongside him on the front row, the race is Ferrari’s to lose, wet or dry. Can Leclerc finally get over his hoodoo and win at Monaco?

(AP)

‘A little bit of chaos would be nice’

12:50 , Michael Jones

Max Verstappen says that a bit of ‘chaos’ from the weather would be helpful to his chances of winning the Monaco Grand Prix after an unexpected fourth placed finish in qualifying for the current world champion.

“Of course not,” said Verstappen when asked if P4 was what he’d expected. “But I think we were improving. We were trying a few things with the car in practice, which didn’t really give me a good feeling, so we went back on a few things. But then I also tried to make it better for qualifying, and I do think that it was a bit better – but then of course Q3 is all where you have to go to the limit, right?

“I was actually looking a bit better, I opted for a different strategy in my final run which I think was good for me because I couldn’t switch on my tyres on the first timed lap. So, the second timed lap I did after a cool [a cool-down lap]. It was good, I was up on my lap, it was all feeling good, but then of course I saw the roadblock in Turn 8. It’s unlucky, it’s Monaco. We just have to deal with it, accept it, and move from there.

When asked if he could fight his way up to the podium places from fourth on this tricky circuit to overtake Verstappen added:

“It depends on what the weather will do, a little bit of chaos would be nice but if it’s not then you try to score the most possible points in my position… Overall it’s been a little bit more of a tricky weekend.”

How to get the perfect Monaco Grand Prix photo: ‘To get on the Ritz-Carlton roof you need a supreme plan’

12:45 , Michael Jones

Through the lens of a photographer, some F1 tracks are inescapably ugly. Silverstone, for instance, is an old RAF airfield that’s flat and featureless like a grey desert, broken up by patches of grass as if someone once tried to spruce it up a bit. Others are irresistibly beautiful, like Austria’s Red Bull Ring, a track swaddled by forest, with sweeping bends which seem to rise into the Alps behind them.

Singapore twinkles, Texas shouts, Baku seems to time-travel from one corner to the next. But nothing is quite like Monte Carlo and its unique street circuit, which carries itself with a certain regality, the grand palace of Formula One. It is a venue that knows full well it is special: the race itself can be dull but that is part of its arrogance, like an artist who deliberately ignored the brief. Oh, you’ve come for the racing, to see one car overtake another, that sort of thing? Well you’ve misunderstood the purpose of this place entirely.

Each part of the circuit forms its own little world. The Opera House which sits at the top of the hill ushers cars down to the famous Casino Square hairpin. The tunnel cloaks the race in darkness before emerging into the marina, which glistens in the sunshine. For photographers hustling in the heat amid a jungle of buildings, the challenge in Monaco is not so much identifying an eye-catching shot as finding a place to take it.

Blags, bribes and bit of luck: How to get the perfect Monaco GP photo

Monaco Grand Prix under threat?

12:41 , Michael Jones

For as long as Formula 1 has been in existence the Monaco Grand Prix has been considered irreplaceable, secured by its status as a symbol of everything that is appealing and interesting about F1.

The glamour, the money, and the danger of the Monte Carlo street circuit providing the perfect description that applies as much to the sport as to Monaco itself.

Home grown F1 driver Charles Leclerc said on Thursday that dropping the race “would be a bad move for both parties” but F1 is seriously considering the idea to leave Monaco behind.

The sport’s owners, the US group Liberty Media, won’t comment publicly, but senior sources say they are growing tired of a number of aspects about the race.

Some of which are: The compact, twisting, turning track being unsuited for modern F1 cars, the low fee Monaco pays to host the race, local tv stations broadcasting the race where as in every other grand prix it is Formula 1’s in house tv station that controls the broadcast, differing advertising standards and the sheer stubborness of the Monaco organisiers who seem unwilling to adapt to change.

Will the Monaco Grand Prix make the 2023 calendar? As of now that is unknown.

Lewis Hamilton hopes rain can spare him from more misery at Monaco Grand Prix

12:33 , Michael Jones

Lewis Hamilton said only a wet race could spare him from more misery at Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix.

As home favourite Charles Leclerc romped to his third pole in as many races, Hamilton slumped to eighth, two places behind Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

Hamilton’s brilliant comeback drive to fifth at the Spanish Grand Prix a week ago provided him with some hope that he can haul himself back into the title mix.

But Hamilton, already 64 points behind championship leader Max Verstappen heading into the seventh round of 22, is poised to lose further ground on Monte Carlo’s impossible-to-overtake streets.

While the principality has bathed in sizzling sun so far this weekend, there is a six in 10 chance that rain could impact Sunday’s race.

Lewis Hamilton hopes rain can spare him from more misery at Monaco Grand Prix

Monaco Grand Prix

12:28 , Michael Jones

The drivers are arriving in the paddock ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. The race is set to get underway around 2pm but there are a few dark clouds around which could come into play later on if it starts to rain.

(Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

(EPA)

Charles Leclerc claims home Monaco Grand Prix pole with Max Verstappen fourth

12:23 , Michael Jones

Here’s the story of Saturday’s qualifying as Charles Leclerc delighted his home crowd by securing pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver, born and raised on Monte Carlo’s famous streets, held his nerve to deliver an almighty lap under pressure as team-mate Carlos Sainz joined him on the front row.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez will start third, with Max Verstappen, who leads Leclerc by six points in the championship standings, fourth.

Charles Leclerc claims home Monaco Grand Prix pole with Max Verstappen fourth

What is the starting grid?

12:18 , Michael Jones

Ferrari were the big winners throughout practice and qualifying. Charles Leclerc topped the leaderboard during both of Friday’s practice runs before Sergio Perez took first place in the third and final practice on Saturday morning.

When it came to qualifying the Monegasque put in a blistering lap and was backed up by teammate Carlos Sainz to lock out the top two positions for Ferrari.

Here’s how the full grid looks for today’s race:

1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

3) Sergio Perez, Red Bull

4) Max Verstappen, Red Bull

5) Lando Norris, McLaren

6) George Russell, Mercedes

7) Fernando Alonso, Alpine

8) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

9) Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin

10) Esteban Ocon, Alpine

11) Yuki Tsunoda, Alpha Tauri

12) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo

13) Kevin Magnussen, Haas

14) Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

15) Mick Schumacher, Haas

16) Alex Albon, Williams

17) Pierre Gasly, Alpha Tauri

18) Lance Stroll, Aston-Martin

19) Nicholas Latifi, Williams

20) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo

12:13 , Lawrence Ostlere

Follow all the latest news and updates from the Monaco Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc starts on pole…