F1 qualifying LIVE: Monaco Grand Prix result and updates as Leclerc lands pole after Perez and Sainz crash

The Monaco Grand Prix is here with Formula 1 arriving at its seventh race of the 2022 season following last week’s Spanish Grand Prix. The prestigious race has been the source of much speculation this week, with F1 owner Liberty Media considering how to expand the sport and placing the historic race under threat due to a number of factors, including: a small crowd in comparison to other races, a small fee paid for the privilege of hosting one of the 22 Grand Prix and the relatively difficult potential for overtaking and exciting moves.

But Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, who has lived in Monaco his entire life, insists taking away the race would be a “bad move”, adding: “Monaco is one of the best tracks out there, in terms of qualifying there are no places I enjoy as much here, and where the driver can make as much difference. In terms of challenge for the drivers it is one of the toughest challenges of the year.”

Leclerc will hope to regain the lead over Red Bull’s world champion Max Verstappen, who is six points clear in the drivers’ standings, while Carlos Sainz will also hope to contribute in order to chip away at Red Bull’s 26-point lead in the constructors’ title race. Mercedes continue to experience struggles, with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell desperate to challenge at the top of races. Follow live updates from FP3 and build-up to qualification this afternoon in Monte-Carlo:

Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying

Out in Q2: Tsunoda, Bottas, Magnussen, Ricciardo, Schumacher

Out in Q1: Albon, Gasly, Stroll, Latifi, Zhou

Perez fastest in FP3; Leclerc, Sainz and Verstappen next

Hamilton struggles in Monaco as Leclerc tops Friday practice

How to get the perfect Monaco Grand Prix photo

Leclerc lands pole after Perez and Sainz crash to end qualification

Monaco Grand Prix qualifying

16:11 , Dylan Terry

Full grid:

1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari

3) Sergio Perez, Red Bull

4) Max Verstappen, Red Bull

5) Lando Norris, McLaren

Story continues

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

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

16:09 , Dylan Terry

Here is your top 10 for the Monaco Grand Prix!

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

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

16:09 , Dylan Terry

Here was the moment! Will bring you the full top 10 in just a second.

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

16:06 , Dylan Terry

One of the Alpines crashed and a yellow flag came out. Sainz then didn’t see it and collided with Perez. Will bring you a clip of the crash as soon as we get it.

But Leclerc is on pole!

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

16:05 , Dylan Terry

Perez has gone into the back of Sainz! That’s the end of the session! Red flag and Leclerc has pole!

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

16:04 , Dylan Terry

Heading into the final minute it looks like this:

From 1 to 10: Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Verstappen, Norris, Russell, Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel, Ocon.

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

16:03 , Dylan Terry

Two minutes remaining: Verstappen is well off the pace of Leclerc. He goes more than half a second slower than his world championship rival.

Leclerc furious on the radio as he is a little boxed in because of his position on the track. Could that prove crucial?

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

16:02 , Dylan Terry

3 minutes remaining: Pretty much all of the drivers come into the pits ahead of their final runs in Q3.

Can Charles Leclerc hold on to secure pole position? That time will take some beating. It was a wonderful lap from the Ferrari driver.

Red Bull need to pull out something very special to prevent Ferrari locking out the front row.

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

15:59 , Dylan Terry

5 mins remaining: Alonso goes fifth ahead of Norris and Hamilton. A sensational lap from the legendary Spaniard!

Huge gap between the top four and the rest though. Sixth tenths separate Verstappen in fourth and Alonso in fifth.

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

15:58 , Dylan Terry

6 mins remaining: Russell has his lap time deleted for exceeding track limits. Hamilton then goes sixth with a valid time. Not ideal for the Brit.

Norris currently occupying fifth behind the two teams battling it out for pole. Hamilton, Russell, Vettel, Ocon and Alonso make up the rest of the top 10.

But what can the Alpines do with their first runs?

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

15:57 , Dylan Terry

8 mins remaining: So Leclerc sets the pace with a 1.11.3! What a lap that is from the Monegasque driver!

That could take come beating as Sainz goes two tenths slower than his Ferrari teammate. Verstappen nearly three tenths off and Perez goes in front of his Red Bull teammate!

Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Verstappen after their first runs.

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

15:55 , Dylan Terry

9 mins remaining: Leclerc is first out onto the track. He is keen to set the benchmark at the beginning of this third and final session.

Everyone immediately comes out onto the circuit except for the two Alpines of Ocon and Alonso who are playing the waiting game.

Monaco Grand Prix Q3

15:53 , Dylan Terry

10 mins remaining: Here we go with Q3 then! Who is going to finish on pole? We will know in roughly 10 minutes time.

Monaco Grand Prix qualifying

15:51 , Dylan Terry

Charles Leclerc topped qualifying there ahead of Sergio Perez. Still some work to do for Max Verstappen as he is fourth behind Carlos Sainz.

A reminder that pole position is so incredibly crucial for the Monaco Grand Prix. Overtaking is near-impossible on race day.

Monaco Grand Prix qualifying

15:49 , Dylan Terry

Another disappointing afternoon for Ricciardo. But ecstacy for Vettel as he gets his Aston Martin into the top 10 ahead of Q3.

Monaco Grand Prix qualifying

15:48 , Dylan Terry

So, here is what the bottom half of the grid looks like ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix tomorrow afternoon.

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

Q3 coming up.

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:47 , Dylan Terry

Here are the drivers eliminated in Q2:

11) Yuki Tsunoda, Alpha Tauri

12) Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo

13) Kevin Magnussen, Haas

14) Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

15) Mick Schumacher, Haas

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:46 , Dylan Terry

Vettel gets his Aston Martin up to eighth! Alonso hangs on but Bottas is out!

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:45 , Dylan Terry

1 min remaining: Norris goes fourth – that should be enough for him to see Q3.

Schumacher only manages 13th so he will not be competing for a top 10 place. Ocon has also dropped into the bottom five.

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:44 , Dylan Terry

2 mins remaining: Tsunoda pushes Ricciardo out of the top 10. Heading into the final couple of minutes, these are the cars in 11th-15th.

Drivers at risk: Ricciardo, Vettel, Magnussen, Bottas, Schumacher.

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:43 , Dylan Terry

3 mins remaining: Hamilton goes so close to the wall as he tries to get everything out of the car before he then has to abandon the lap. He’ll get another go before the end of the session.

Ricciardo goes 10th but you don’t imagine that will be enough to prevent him from being eliminated. Can he improve?

Tsunoda, Hamilton, Russell and Ocon also in danger.

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:40 , Dylan Terry

5 mins remaining: Hamilton returns from the pits after telling his team that he is concerned about the temperature of his tyres.

The two Mercedes sit seventh and eighth. They could be in serious danger of being eliminated if they cannot improve.

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:38 , Dylan Terry

7 mins remaining: Halfway through the second session, here are the drivers in the bottom five and in danger of missing out on Q3.

Magnussen, Bottas, Tsunoda, Ricciardo and Schumacher.

Schumacher is back in the pits and the only driver yet to post a flying lap so far. What can the two Haas drivers come up with to put other teams under pressure?

Meanwhile, Leclerc goes fastest as he shaves three tenths off Perez’s time.

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:36 , Dylan Terry

8 mins remaining: The Mercedes’ posts their first times of Q2 as Hamilton goes fifth and Russell seventh. Not a bad start for the 2021 constructors champions given their struggles so far this weekend.

Alonso then goes ahead of Hamilton and behind the top four. The Spaniard clearly getting everything possible out of his Alpine car.

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:34 , Dylan Terry

10 mins remaining: Reigning world champion Verstappen is first out at the start of Q2 as he posts a 1.12.55.

Sainz then goes half a second quicker than Verstappen before Perez edges out the Ferrari at the top of the leaderboard.

Going to be some battle for pole between the Ferraris and Red Bulls.

Leclerc goes third behind Perez and Sainz. The ‘second’ drivers for both teams seem to be having the edge so far this weekend.

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:32 , Dylan Terry

13 mins remaining: Here we go with Q2 then! Who is going to miss out on the top 10 shootout for this year’s Monaco Grand Prix?

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:31 , Dylan Terry

Lance Stroll left furious after that Q1 exit.

Monaco Grand Prix Q2

15:28 , Dylan Terry

Right, almost ready to go with Q2.

A reminder of the drivers who have already been eliminated in Q1:

16) Alex Albon, Williams

17) Pierre Gasly, Alpha Tauri

18) Lance Stroll, Aston-Martin

19) Nicholas Latifi, Williams

20) Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo

Monaco Grand Prix qualifying

15:26 , Dylan Terry

The moment the red flag was waved with two minutes remaining in Q1. Did not come at a good time for Pierre Gasly. He has been eliminated.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:24 , Dylan Terry

Eliminated: Albon, Gasly, Stroll, Latifi and Zhou are eliminated after a frantic run at the end of the first session.

Gasly a bit of a shocker there!

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:24 , Dylan Terry

Latifi is out too! But Norris isn’t, he goes fourth. Ricciardo also saves himself as he goes ninth.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:23 , Dylan Terry

As the clock ticks to zero and the chequered flag is waved, Ricciardo, Ocon, Latifi, Tsunoda and Zhou are the cars in the bottom five.

Zhou is already out as he did not make it to the flag. The other four drivers are still out on track.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:22 , Dylan Terry

1 minute remaining: It’s chaos out there as all the cars try to get out on track and complete an out lap before the chequered flag! Think Zhou – who is bottom of the leaderboard – may have missed the boat here as he is at the back of the pack!

Here we go then. Could be a chaotic finale here.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:20 , Dylan Terry

2 minutes remaining: As we head back out onto the track, Norris and Ricciardo are currently 15th and 16th place respectively.

There will be some sweaty palms in that McLaren garage as we approach the business end of the first qualifying session.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:19 , Dylan Terry

2 minutes remaining: Tsunoda just clipped the barrier as he made his way through the chicane. Not sure that was red flag-worthy but that is what’s happened.

The session will resume in two minutes time. Ricciardo, Ocon, Latifi, Tsunoda and Zhou are all currently set to be eliminated in Q1. Can any of them post times that will see them through to Q2?

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:17 , Dylan Terry

2 minutes remaining: Bottas goes up to ninth and Vettel up to 13th.

Oh and a red flag! What’s this for? It’s Tsunoda who has hit the barriers.

Two and a half minutes to go in the session. Ricciardo, Ocon, Latifi, Tsunoda and Zhou are in the danger zone at the moment.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:15 , Dylan Terry

3 mins remaining: Schumacher leaps up to seventh as he puts himself well out of danger for the time being. And Magnussen then produces another outstanding lap for Haas as he goes fifth.

Lance Stroll drops into the bottom five as Aston Martin continue to struggle.

McLaren are down in 12th and 14th. Both orange cars are struggling out there and will need a quick lap if they are to confirm their place in Q2.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:13 , Dylan Terry

5 mins remaining: Hamilton puts himself out of danger with a time which takes him up to sixth place, just behind Alonso who is the fastest of the drivers outside the top two teams so far.

Leclerc is four hundredths ahead of Sainz at the top of the leaderboard followed by the two Red Bulls.

The five drivers in danger are Vettel, Zhou, Latifi, Bottas and Schumacher.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:11 , Dylan Terry

7 mins remaining: The Ferraris and Red Bulls occupy the top four spots – Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez and Sainz.

Meanwhile, Hamilton is down in 14th position and in danger of going out in Q1 if he does not improve on his time.

Mercedes are struggling. Russell puts everything into his flying lap but can still only manage eighth place.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:09 , Dylan Terry

9 mins remaining: Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz post exactly the same time at the top of the standings! They both set a time of 1.13.292. Wow.

Verstappen a tenth of a second off the top two, followed by Alonso, Norris, Russell, Tsunoda and Ricciardo.

Bottas down in 18th. That will be a concern for Alfa Romeo, with their other driver Zhou just one place above him in 17th.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:07 , Dylan Terry

11 mins remaining: Perez with a 1.14.3 before his teammate Verstappen trims a tenth off that time to move top of the leaderboard.

The two Red Bulls are posting times more than a second quicker than the Mercedes’. Leclerc goes fourth behind Verstappen, Perez and Magnussen.

Hamilton down in sixth, with Russell in 14th.

The five drivers in danger at the moment are Vettel, Schumacher, Latifi, Zhou and Sainz. The Ferrari is yet to post a flying lap.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:04 , Dylan Terry

14 mins remaining: Leclerc, Sainz and Alonso are the final three cars to leave the pit and head out onto the track. Ferrari keen to keep their cars’ tyres warm for as long as possible before they exit the garage.

Kevin Magnussen posts the first flying lap of this weekend’s qualifying as he posts a 1.17.0 before Norris trims more than a second off that time.

The Brit is closely followed by Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel.

Monaco Grand Prix Q1

15:02 , Dylan Terry

17 mins remaining: Here we go then with the start of the first qualifying session at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix.

It will almost certainly come down to a shootout between the Ferraris and Red Bulls for pole position.

But before that we have the first two qualifying sessions. In this first one we will lose the slowest five drivers.

Perez to beat Verstappen to pole?

14:59 , Dylan Terry

Sergio Perez has outperformed his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen in each of the three practice sessions so far this weekend.

The Mexican looks the more likely of the two Red Bulls to snatch pole position away from Charles Leclerc.

If we’re going off the practice sessions then you can see a top four of Leclerc, Perez, Sainz, Verstappen – in that order.

But can the reigning world champion improve in this all important qualifying session? We’re about to find out.

Is Ricciardo’s future with McLaren?

14:55 , Michael Jones

A lot has been said this week about Daniel Ricciardo’s future with McLaren after the 32-year-old admitted he hasn’t been at the top of his game this season.

Ricciardo has been repeatedly outperformed by teammate Lando Norris and McLaren team boss, Zak Brown, acknowledged that he hasn’t met the team’s expectations.

Can he go out this afternoon and set a fast qualifying time to reignite his season?

Ferrari fined and Sainz reprimanded

14:49 , Michael Jones

Carlos Sainz impeded Lance Stroll at Rascasse in the final practice session and the stewards have come to a decision over the incident.

A reprimand for Sainz and a €25,000 fine for Ferrari.

They said the driver “was given a series of grossly incorrect messages about the gaps to the cars behind… due to the poor rear visibility (there), the driver was relying on team.

“The driver of Car 55 almost came to a stop on the circuit. This is unacceptable and hence the penalty of a reprimand is imposed. We note that similar behaviour by any driver during Qualification may involve much more severe penalties.”

Monaco Grand Prix: Sergio Perez edges Charles Leclerc to top final practice

14:43 , Michael Jones

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez edged out Charles Leclerc to finish fastest in final practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Home favourite Leclerc, quickest in both outings here on Friday, had to settle for second in the concluding action before Saturday afternoon’s all-important qualifying session.

Perez finished 0.041 seconds ahead of Leclerc. Carlos Sainz was third in the other Ferrari, one place ahead of world champion Max Verstappen.

Lewis Hamilton ended Friday’s running in 12th, but the Mercedes driver improved to seventh on Saturday, albeit nine tenths back. Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell was ninth.

Sergio Perez edges Charles Leclerc to top final Monaco practice

Monaco GP qualifying

14:37 , Michael Jones

AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly ended FP3 as the fastest driver not in a Red Bull or a Ferrari. Can he force himself onto the front of the grid for tomorrow’s race?

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Monaco GP qualifying

14:28 , Michael Jones

Saturday qualifying at Monaco is crucial as it is a very difficult circuit to overtake on. The starting positions from qualifying can be key to picking up points – and podiums – on Sunday.

For Charles Leclerc, born and raised here, today is a chance to secure pole position and set himself up to win his home race tomorrow but he’ll need to be on top of his risk vs reward strategies.

Last year he secured pole but crashed at the end of qualifying and wrecked his chances for the rest of the weekend although that wasn’t obvious at the time.

The Ferrari driver was fastest in both practice sessions on Friday but wasn’t beaten into second earlier today with Sergio Perez of Reb Bull going quicker.

How will Leclerc fare this afternoon?

Charles Leclerc tipped by Christian Horner for fightback at ‘unique’ home race

14:23 , Michael Jones

Charles Leclerc has been tipped for a strong performance at his “unique” home Monaco Grand Prix by Christian Horner, team principal at Red Bull.

The Ferrari driver lost top spot in the Drivers’ Championship standings after retiring from the Spanish Grand Prix, ceding the championship lead to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

The Monegasque will have an immediate chance to hit back on his home Monte Carlo streets this weekend.

However, Leclerc has a curious record on what should be familiar terrain, failing to finish any of his three Monaco Grand Prix entries as a Formula 1 driver and recently crashing Niki Lauda’s classic Ferrari while on an exhibition drive.

Leclerc did qualify on pole at last year’s race in the principality, though, and Horner is “sure” that the 24-year-old will be tough to beat in Monaco.

Leclerc tipped by Horner for fightback at ‘unique’ home race

Monaco GP qualifying

14:15 , Michael Jones

Can homegrown Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc top qualifying and get himself on pole for tomorrow’s Monaco Grand Prix?

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Or will Red Bull’s Sergio Perez throw a spanner in the works?

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Don’t rule out Max Verstappen either. He’s leading the world championship and won’t want to give up ground even though he hasn’t been on top form round the track in practice.

Monaco GP qualifying

14:09 , Michael Jones

The top five drivers from the final practice session. AlphaTuari’s Pierre Gasly was the best of the rest outside the Red Bulls and Ferraris.

1. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) – 1:12.476

2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.041s

3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) +0.37s

4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.405s

5. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) +0.734s

Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez have been the most consistent drivers over the three practice sessions and the fight for pole could come down to these two.

Monaco GP qualifying

14:03 , Michael Jones

Saturday afternoon’s qualifying session at the Monaco Grand Prix kicks off in just under an hour’s time and topping the leaderboard here is crucial for a driver’s hopes of winning the race on Sunday.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez topped the final practice leaderboard just 0.041 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after the two traded fastest laps through the session.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was third fastest, 0.370secs off Perez, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was 0.405secs off the pace – a surprising gap between the two Red Bull team-mates.

It looks as though qualifying will be a battle between Ferrari and Red Bull for pole position.

Eric Dier on F1, the Champions League final and Tottenham’s future

13:40 , Jack Rathborn

“I got into it a few years ago after Drive to Survive, like a lot of people,” says the Tottenham defender.

“They have a special thing in the Champions League, their history helps them a lot, an incredible run to get to the final. I’m sure it’ll be a great game, may the best team win.

“Playing in the Champions League again will be fantastic, it’s the best competition in the world. The Premier League will get stronger as always.”

Mason Mount on supporting Red Bull and reflecting on Chelsea’s season

13:32 , Jack Rathborn

Mason Mount: “We saw them yesterday for practice, had a little conversation, they’re really good guys. It’s boiling. Looking forward to the next one.

“I’m not sure about the Champions League final, it’s a top game, two top teams, I’m excited to watch. It’ll be a good game.

“We were in and around it [the title race], until half-way through, it’s disappointing, the goal is to close the gap. It’s an exciting time now, with the owners confirmed today. We look forward now, exciting stuff, can’t wait to get back to that.”

Monaco Grand Prix 2022

13:12 , Jack Rathborn

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(EPA)

Monaco Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton ‘driving on the edge’

13:09 , Jack Rathborn

Di Resta on Hamilton and Mercedes problems in Monte-Carlo.

He says: “It’s not a favourite for them, I wouldn’t have thought any focus went into it. It feels like he’s driving on the edge.

“You’ll crash if you overstep it. A beautiful car around here is so rewarding.”

Monaco Grand Prix: Di Resta understands Russell’s complaint over Perez

13:07 , Jack Rathborn

Di Resta: “You can see the cars there, it’s finding a way around, I can understand why George is upset. It’s time to be more punishable, they seem to disrespect each other at some points.”

Monaco Grand Prix: P3 lap times and results with Perez fastest

13:06 , Jack Rathborn

Monaco Grand Prix: Checo outclasses Verstappen in P3

13:04 , Jack Rathborn

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

13:02 , Jack Rathborn

Do not discount Perez, he’s 0.041 seconds ahead of Leclerc, he means business in the Red Bull, with teammate Max back in fourth.

Sainz snugly tucked into third.

Gasly fifth, Norris sixth, Hamilton seventh. That’s the end of P3, we got to qualifying next!

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:59 , Jack Rathborn

Stunning from Leclerc, he takes top spot again, just 0.037 seconds ahead of Perez.

12:58 , Jack Rathborn

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:57 , Jack Rathborn

And just as Di Resta hypes up Perez, he lands the fastest lap, he goes 0.148 seconds faster than Leclerc.

Sainz third and Verstappen fourth, with Gasly fifth. Better from Hamilton, he’s up to seventh, but still 0.821 off the Red Bull of Perez.

Monaco Grand Prix: Perez tipped to grab pole

12:55 , Jack Rathborn

Sky Sports F1’s Paul Di Resta: “Checo is looking strong, I think he’s able to just keep going.

“He’s at ease with this Red Bull. What can Verstappen get out of it?

“I’ll say Checo over Leclerc for the front row.”

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:53 , Jack Rathborn

George Russell: “Crickey, that was very dangerous from Checo, almost crashed into the back of him!”

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:50 , Jack Rathborn

Max Verstappen is better here, but it’s not enough, he goes second place (1:13.201).

Charles Leclerc has a 1:12.885 with a speedy middle sector.

Meanwhile Stroll has smashed into the barrier.

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:48 , Jack Rathborn

Verstappen still 0.316 off Leclerc, he’s pushing.

Leclerc slightly behind his best time on this current lap.

Hamilton languishing down in 14th, over a second off the pace, the Mercedes star is in trouble for qualification it seems.

SAINZ FASTEST! Impressive from Ferrari all around.

Monaco Grand Prix: Christian Horner provides P3 update for Red Bull

12:46 , Jack Rathborn

“A slight set-up tweak, he [Perez]’s ready to go in the next minute or so,” Horner tells Sky Sports.

“Charles is looking pretty quick, we can get closer, but playing around with engine modes. We haven’t got a clear picture. They’ve got a tenth or so.

“They could well be [a threat to us]. They [Alpha Tauri] are performing well, a good balance.”

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:45 , Jack Rathborn

1. Chalres Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:12.885

2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) +0.318s

3. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri) +0.325s

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.341s

5. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.414s

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:37 , Jack Rathborn

The top four is not a surprise, we have two Ferraris and Red Bulls each, we have 30 minutes remaining of the session.

Lewis Hamilton is seemingly upset with the performance of his Mercedes, he’s back in 10th position with a 1:14.527 on the softs.

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:28 , Jack Rathborn

Lewis Hamilton is not happy, he’s been informed by Mercedes he is 1.2 seconds behind Perez, who is fastest right now.

The seven-time world champion says: “That 1.2 seconds, I don’t know where that is.”

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:25 , Jack Rathborn

Perez now fastest, 1:13.297, Verstappen makes it a Red Bull sandwich in third with Leclerc in between in second.

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:20 , Jack Rathborn

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Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:12 , Jack Rathborn

Sainz fastest in P3, by +0.643 from Alonso. Verstappen out now too.

Leclerc tops the standings now, Sainz +0.106 back.

Promising for Ferrari so far after 13 minutes of P3.

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:10 , Jack Rathborn

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(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

Monaco Grand Prix: P3

12:05 , Jack Rathborn

Here we go then, a crucial hour to get ready for qualification. Every pole is vital, but especially in Monaco.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner: “They’re not allowed [to complain about the car], yesterday we didn’t have an optimum setup, a lot of work last night. A confidence track, you have to give your drivers confidence.

“You have to treat each race by race, it’s finding compromise between one-lap performance, which is a premium here, sacrificing a long-run maybe.

“The most telling thing in the first session was one lap on the medium and then he locked up, tyres will get better with each lap. I think it’s the tyres, but also the circuit ramping up the drivers. They’re edging towards the barriers this session. It’s about going with the circuit.”

George Russell has ‘a lot to improve’ compared to Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton

11:45 , Jack Rathborn

George Russell has admitted he still has “a lot to improve” despite his impressive start to life at Mercedes, which has seen the 24-year-old take an early lead over team-mate Lewis Hamilton in the championship standings.

Despite Mercedes’ early struggles, Russell has performed well during his first season with the team and secured a podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend. It continued his streak of consecutive top-five finishes to open the season but despite his consistency the British driver said he is not yet the complete “package”, at least compared to seven-time world champion Hamilton.

When reflecting upon his start to the season, Russell told reporters ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix: “I just focus on myself and try and do the best job possible – and wherever that leaves me, I’ll sort of review from there.

“I believe in myself but I’ve still got a lot to improve. I don’t feel like I’m truly optimising the package and, compared to Lewis, I’ve still got room to improve in a number of aspects.”

George Russell has ‘a lot to improve’ compared to Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton

F1: Monaco Grand Prix 2022

11:36 , Jack Rathborn

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(AFP via Getty Images)

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Lewis Hamilton able to wear jewellery in Monaco as exemption extended

11:27 , Jack Rathborn

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.

Speaking on Friday, Hamilton said: “Honestly, I feel like there’s just way too much time and energy being given to this.

Lewis Hamilton able to wear jewellery in Monaco as exemption extended

Bernie Ecclestone denies he was arrested in Brazil after gun found in luggage

11:18 , Jack Rathborn

Former Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone denied on Friday he had been arrested in Brazil and said an illegal gun found in his luggage before boarding a flight was never used and had no ammunition.

The 91-year-old Briton, now in Portugal, told Reuters a “silly, tiny little incident” had caused a lot of aggravation as he and his family tried to leave Sao Paulo by private plane on Wednesday night.

“I haven’t had any publicity lately and I thought I ought to do something to get some,” he joked in a telephone conversation.

Bernie Ecclestone denies he was arrested in Brazil after gun found in luggage

‘I am f****** losing my mind’: Lewis Hamilton driven ‘crazy’ by Mercedes struggles at Monaco Grand Prix

11:09 , Jack Rathborn

Mercedes’ struggles with ‘porpoising’ have returned at the Monaco Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton complained that he was “f****** losing my mind” due to the “bouncing” he was experiencing in his car.

Hamilton had arrived in Monte Carlo on the back of his best performance of the year at the Spanish Grand Prix last weekend and with Mercedes confident they had resolved the majority of the performance issues which have so far plagued their season.

But the team’s problems continued during the opening practice session on Friday as a frustrated Hamilton complained on his team radio: “It is so bouncy out here, mate. I am f****** losing my mind.”

‘I am f****** losing my mind’: Lewis Hamilton driven ‘crazy’ by Mercedes struggles

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

11:00 , Jack Rathborn

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.

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

F1: Monaco Grand Prix 2022

10:50 , Jack Rathborn

(Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

(AFP via Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton struggles at Monaco Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc tops practice

10:35 , Jack Rathborn

Lewis Hamilton finished only 12th in second practice for the Monaco Grand Prix as home favourite Charles Leclerc completed an impressive practice double.

The Ferrari man is now favourite to take the all-important pole position at Formula One’s showpiece event.

Leclerc edged out Carlos Sainz by just 0.044 seconds in the other scarlet car, with the Red Bulls of Sergio Perez and championship leader Max Verstappen third and fourth respectively.

Hamilton’s revival at Barcelona a week ago could be short-lived following a troubling day in which he was jolted in his bouncing Mercedes.

Monte Carlo’s narrow and twisty streets represent a unique challenge and it does not appear to be one that suits the Silver Arrows. Hamilton was 1.6 seconds adrift of Leclerc.

Lewis Hamilton struggles at Monaco Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc tops practice