Verstappen laments "ruined" Monaco GP pole hopes following Leclerc crash

Max Verstappen was left to lament his "ruined" shot at pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix following a crash involving Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc gave Ferrari its first pole since the 2019 Mexican GP but ended the session in the barriers on the exit of the swimming pool chicane, bringing out the red flags and denying Verstappen the chance of pole.

Verstappen still has a chance to start from top spot on the grid given the concern over the state of Leclerc's gearbox given the impact, with championship rival Lewis Hamilton only seventh in his Mercedes.

The Red Bull driver, who was on a personal best lap at the time of Leclerc's crash, said: "It was unfortunate with the red flag because I was really comfortable in qualifying, just building up to it.

"Nobody was really putting a lap time in on the first lap and that is how we planned it out, to do basically two laps and then the third would be the fastest.

"It was all going really well but the red flag ruined the chance for pole. Nevertheless, so far, a good weekend. We have recovered well from Thursday so not too bad."

Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg are famous examples of drivers who have secured pole by bringing flags out at the conclusion of qualifying, although in more controversial circumstances.

Asked if it was a risk to build-up towards the end of the session before nailing a flying lap, Verstappen added: "Of course you can have red flags here but you don't expect it.

"You plan around the best possible strategy and it was working out well but it is just a shame about the red flags."

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