For the First Time in the 2024 F1 Season Max Verstappen isn't on Pole

The crowds roared in Monaco because, for the third time, Charles Leclerc had earned the pole position at his home race. The native Monegasque started on the pole in 2021 and 2022; both races were heartbreaking for the native son, with a DNS in 2021 due to a driveshaft error and missing the podium by one position in 2022.

Leclerc's third pole stopped Max Verstappen's streak. Heading into Monaco, Verstappen had the chance to become the sole owner of the record for most consecutive poles, with nine straight. He tied the late Ayton Senna last week at Imola.

Oscar Piastri, Monaco's second son, will share the front row with Leclerc. The duo sparked internet joy this week when Leclerc extended an adoption option to the younger Australian driver so he could claim Monegasque. Piastri was close to stealing the thunder, just 0.026 seconds off of Leclerc's lap time.

Carlos Sainz, Leclerc's teammate, finished third but reported over the radio that Piastri impeded him during the duo's final runs of Q3.

Lando Norris followed Sainz in the second McLaren Senna tribute livery. George Russell and Verstappen make up the third row. Verstappen noted early on in his run that if they didn't fix something, he would hit the wall, and during Q3, he did on his final run.
Lewis Hamilton, Yuki Tsunoda, Alex Albon, and Pierre Gasly will complete the top ten in Monaco to kick off one of the busiest days in racing, leading into the Indy 500 and Coke 600.

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