Charles Leclerc

Leclerc avoids pole axe after gearbox cleared for Monaco GP

Ian Parkes Sunday 23 May 2021 12:16 Updated: 12:58

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.

Latest News

F1 Stories

F1 legend Martin Brundle shares broken bone horror story at Miami Grand Prix

7 minutes ago

Miami Grand Prix

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris hit with deleted lap FIA ruling at Miami Grand Prix

52 minutes ago

Miami Grand Prix

FIA issue late penalty verdict for TWO F1 stars after Miami Grand Prix

1 hour ago

Miami Grand Prix

F1 Miami Grand Prix 2025 results: Final classification with penalties applied

2 hours ago

F1 Today

F1 News Today: FIA announce late demotion as Red Bull penalty verdict issued at Miami Grand Prix

3 hours ago

Miami Grand Prix

FIA announce outcome of Red Bull protest as Miami Grand Prix race result confirmed

Today 03:25

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2025

GP AUSTRALIA 14 - 16 Mar

GP BAHRAIN 11 - 13 Apr

Oscar Piastri

GP SAUDI ARABIA 18 - 20 Apr

GP MONACO 23 - 23 May

GP SPAIN 30 May - 1 Jun

GP CANADA 13 - 15 Jun

GP AUSTRIA 27 - 27 Jun

GP GREAT BRITAIN 4 - 6 Jul

Complete kalender 2025

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Leclerc avoids pole axe after gearbox cleared for Monaco GP

Leclerc avoids pole axe after gearbox cleared for Monaco GP