The biggest qualifying session of the Formula 1 season has arrived.
When he met with the media ahead of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix, then-Visa Cash App Racing Bulls driver Daniel Ricciardo waxed poetic about the Monaco Grand Prix, and in particular, the qualifying session. “I think of the event itself as a driver, the feeling of being in Monaco, you feel like … I don’t want this to sound like, I don’t know if materialistic is the word, but you feel like a superstar,” said Ricciardo.
Ricciardo continued on to say that as a driver, the Monaco Grand Prix is a moment where you have to stop and pinch yourself, and remember that what you get to do is something pretty special
“But it’s the one place where you’re like, ‘I’m doing something really awesome.’ And if you’re not appreciating it, it’s a place where you really appreciate the job you have,” added Ricciardo.
“There’s like an aura just that surrounds that event, that race. Saturday qualifying in Monaco is one of the most intense feelings we get as a driver,” continued Ricciardo.
That hour has arrived. And given how tough overtaking is on the streets of Monte Carlo, starting up front in the Monaco Grand Prix is a must if you want to reach the podium, or even stand on the top step.
Ferrari flexed its muscle on Friday, with Charles Leclerc topping FP1 ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton, and the two switching places for FP2. Will this be their day, or will Mercedes fight back? And what about Red Bull and McLaren, will one of those teams have an answer?
Another sneaky team to watch is Audi. Both Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto finished inside the top ten in both FP1 and FP2, and the might have something to say about this qualifying hour before all is said and done.
We’ll be following the session here live, which gets underway at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on Saturday morning. So check back early and often!
Monaco Grand Prix qualifying results
Here is the provisional starting grid, which will be filled in throughout the hour:
What happened in FP3 at the Monaco Grand Prix?
Specifically Antonelli, as the Drivers’ Championship leader topped the timing sheets with a 1:12.720, 0.327 seconds ahead of Leclerc in P2 and 0.331 seconds ahead of Hamilton in third.
Here is the full classification from FP3:
It’s all to play for in just a few hours.
