(Monaco) Dutchman Max Verstappen has completed a spectacular final lap and will start from the first square in the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monaco, which will be raced on Sunday.
At the wheel of his Red Bull, Verstappen beat Spaniard Fernando Alonso, in Aston Martin, by 84 thousandths of a second. Alonso would have earned his first top position since the German Grand Prix in 2012 when he was racing for Ferrari.
His teammate Lance Stroll will start from 14th place after being eliminated at the end of the second stage of qualifying.
Earlier in the morning, the Quebecer had undoubtedly created hope within the Aston Martin team by setting the third time in the last free practice session (1 min 12.942 s), behind the Red Bulls of Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
Verstappen called his top position — the first of his Monaco career — “very pretty”, but Perez had no reason to be thrilled.
The Mexican driver, winner in Monaco in 2022, suffered an accident during the first round of qualifying, and he will start on Sunday from 20th and last place.
Esteban Ocon, on Alpine, surprised many by taking the first position towards the end of the last qualifying session before Alonso dislodged him.
But Verstappen had not said his last word. During his last appearance on the winding track of the Principality, Verstappen brushed the walls of the circuit, en route to his fourth leading position of the season, and the 23rd of his career.
“I knew this weekend it was going to be tight,” Verstappen said. “There is no doubt that I pushed a little harder. »
After this spectacular battle between two riders with two career World Championship titles each, Alonso walked over to Verstappen and shook his hand.
“The feeling is wonderful. I always had faith in what I could do,” Alonso said.
Alonso has finished third four times in five races this season, and Verstappen joked that he would try to help him finally win a race.
” I will think about it. I would like to see Fernando win, but I would like to win myself,” said Verstappen. “I love watching his (driving) style. »
Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was aiming for a third consecutive leading position in his hometown but he had to settle for third place, 106 thousandths of a second behind the Dutchman, and ahead of Ocon.
“I fought like crazy with the car,” commented a disappointed Leclerc. “It was the most I could do. »
Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) finished fifth and sixth, respectively.
Considered one of the best drivers in Formula 1 on street circuits, Perez lost control of the rear of his car when he entered with too much speed in the “Sainte-Dévote” corner, the first after the starting line. He then found himself in the wall and damaged his left rear tire, causing the raising of the red flag.
His Red Bull then slid down the track, forcing a few drivers around it before a crane lifted it off the circuit and the debris was cleaned up.
Alonso started the third qualifying session with the fastest time and set the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
“I grow like an animal,” Alonso chimed in on Team Radio.
He came very close, but the Spaniard remains in good shape to hope for his first victory since 2013 on Sunday.
Monaco is undoubtedly one of the most difficult tracks to overtake, but its design is a source of tension and accidents.
“If an opportunity presents itself, we’ll take it,” Alonso advised. “We cannot take for granted that all three cars will finish the race. »
