Leclerc hails Monaco qualifying perfection

Leclerc, Ferrari, Monaco, 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

Monaco Grand Prix

Leclerc hails Monaco qualifying perfection

Leclerc has scored back to back pole positions in Monaco

Sam Hall

Saturday 28 May 2022 17:34

Charles Leclerc has hailed his Monaco Grand Prix qualifying effort as 'perfect' after securing pole position on home soil for the second consecutive year.

The Ferrari driver has been the man to beat all weekend but after being toppled by Sergio Perez in final practice, Leclerc bounced back in emphatic style.

The Monégasque dominated the session with his one minute, 11.393secs over two-tenths clear of team-mate Carlos Sainz in second.

"It is very special. I'm so incredibly happy," said Leclerc.

"It has been a very smooth weekend until now. I knew the pace was in the car and I just had to do the job and it went perfectly."

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Leclerc had been on an even faster lap when crashes for Sergio Perez, Sainz and Fernando Alonso caused the red flags to fly and end Q3 prematurely.

But he added: "That last lap before the red flag was really, really good but it didn't change anything for us."

Leclerc qualifying perfect, but work to do

Although Leclerc looked imperious on the Monaco streets as he became the first driver since Nico Rosberg in 2013-14 to score back to back pole positions, he conceded his Ferrari still needs work.

"It was really on the limit," Leclerc explained.

"I had quite a bit of oversteer, I struggled to put the tyres in the right window in the last sector because there was a bit of traffic but at the end, the rear was a bit loose but still the lap time came and I was improving quite a bit.

"I think I was four-tenths faster before I stopped so it was a good lap. To be honest, the car felt amazing and it is great to also have Carlos with me on the front row."