Ferrari

Verstappen starts from Monaco GP pole as Leclerc ruled out by Ferrari

Ferrari confirm problem with left driveshaft

Ian Parkes

Sunday 23 May 2021 14:35 Updated: 15:49

Max Verstappen has become the de facto Monaco GP polesitter after Charles Leclerc failed to start the race due to an issue with the left driveshaft.

Ferrari appeared to take a gamble by opting not to replace the gearbox on Leclerc's SF21 following his crash in qualifying after setting the fastest time earlier in the top-10 shoot-out that secured him the eighth pole position of his F1 career.

But on Leclerc's lap to the grid the Monégasque proclaimed over the radio: "No, no, no. It's the gearbox guys."

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After returning to the garage, Ferrari confirmed to the FIA: "We have an issue. We are not going to the grid."

A few minutes later, Ferrari confirmed Leclerc would not start his home race.

A Ferrari spokesperson said: "Charles will not start the race due to an issue with the left driveshaft which is impossible to fix in time for the start of the race."

Leclerc had feared the worst after crashing 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 was given the green light.

But a problem swiftly materialised on the lap to the grid, just as Leclerc emerged out of the tunnel, forcing him to return to the garage.

Following an inspection of the car, the problem was diagnosed within 10 minutes, leading to the Monaco curse again striking Leclerc after failing to see the flag in his two previous races around his home circuit.

It means Verstappen will lead the field away from his original second place on the grid, with Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas alongside him on the front row.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz starts third, followed by Lando Norris in his McLaren, Pierre Gasly for AlphaTauri, with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton starting sixth.

Leclerc still took his place alongside the other drivers for the national anthem, after which he spoke with and was consoled by Prince Albert II and FIA president Jean Todt.