Leclerc avoids pole axe after gearbox cleared for Monaco GP

Charles Leclerc has been cleared to start from pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Leclerc feared the worst after the Ferrari driver crashed in the dying stages of qualifying, catching a barrier on the exit of the swimming pool complex and breaking the wishbone on his SF21 that sent him spearing into a later guardrail.

Leclerc expressed his concerns immediately after for the state of his gearbox which if damaged would have required a change and a five-place grid penalty.

Following an initial inspection after qualifying, Ferrari stated there was 'no serious damage' and after further checks this morning, Leclerc's car has been given the green light.

A Ferrari spokesperson confirmed: "Following further in-depth checks this morning, no apparent defects were found on Charles Leclerc's gearbox.

"Therefore the Monégasque driver will start today's race from pole position, as per the qualifying result."

The pole represents the eighth of Leclerc's F1 career and the first by a Monégasque on home soil.

Leclerc is joined on the front row by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, with Valtteri Bottas third in his Mercedes, while Lewis Hamilton starts a lowly seventh.

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