Alonso P21, Stroll P22 in Monaco GP qualifying
Circuit de MonacoRound 6, Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying took place at the Circuit de Monaco.
The 18-minute Q1 session in Monaco began in dry conditions, with an air temperature of 24°C and a track temperature of 43°C. As the session got underway, Fernando Alonso led the two cars out of the garage and into a congested pit lane. Both headed onto the track with around 17 minutes remaining. After two laps to warm the tyres and charge the battery, they began their first flying laps just after the 14-minute mark.
On the first run, Alonso set a time 0.596 seconds off the fastest lap, while Lance Stroll was 1.488 seconds away. The two then completed one charge lap before starting their second runs with around 11 minutes remaining, but Alonso could only manage P18 and Stroll P20. Having used up their first set of tyres, both returned to the pits.
The two cars switched to new soft tyres and went back out without set-up changes. They began their third runs with around five minutes remaining, and although Alonso improved, he remained P18. Both drivers then completed charge laps for their final attempts, but the session was red-flagged after Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) crashed at the chicane after the tunnel, stopping the clock with 2 minutes 11 seconds remaining.
When the session resumed, both cars headed back out on used tyres, which were easier to bring up to temperature. Alonso began his flying lap with 13 seconds remaining, but Stroll was unable to make it in time and returned to the pits. Alonso also failed to improve in any sector and came back to the pits without setting a faster time. Alonso ultimately finished qualifying in P21, with Stroll P22, meaning neither driver progressed beyond Q1.
There wasn’t a big difference compared to yesterday and we just don’t have the pace. We had some hopes coming here to Monaco, but we don’t have much confidence in the car and have had a lack of front grip all weekend. I thought I did the best laps possible today with this current package.
There wasn’t a big difference compared to yesterday and we just don’t have the pace. We had some hopes coming here to Monaco, but we don’t have much confidence in the car and have had a lack of front grip all weekend. I thought I did the best laps possible today with this current package.
We've struggled with the same issues all weekend - the car has been tricky with no grip, so this result was expected. The team has been trying various changes between sessions, but we're limited with downforce and power, so it's not much fun out there.
We've struggled with the same issues all weekend - the car has been tricky with no grip, so this result was expected. The team has been trying various changes between sessions, but we're limited with downforce and power, so it's not much fun out there.
Today's Qualifying result reflects our pace. We have not managed to give the drivers a predictable car, which is essential on this track, and we have struggled to build tyre temperature. Let’s see if there are any opportunities tomorrow: Monaco is a long race with plenty of action where anything can happen.
Today's Qualifying result reflects our pace. We have not managed to give the drivers a predictable car, which is essential on this track, and we have struggled to build tyre temperature. Let’s see if there are any opportunities tomorrow: Monaco is a long race with plenty of action where anything can happen.
We expected a better qualifying result here in Monaco before coming to the track. We need to work hard to improve performance of the package overall, and this is what we have been doing since FP1. We tried to do this through driveability and giving the drivers more confidence to carry more speed into the corners. However, the effort hasn’t been enough to get a better grid position for the Monaco Grand Prix. We know we need to improve more for the future but, in the race tomorrow, something can always happen, so we will prepare for all scenarios to react correctly.
We expected a better qualifying result here in Monaco before coming to the track. We need to work hard to improve performance of the package overall, and this is what we have been doing since FP1. We tried to do this through driveability and giving the drivers more confidence to carry more speed into the corners. However, the effort hasn’t been enough to get a better grid position for the Monaco Grand Prix. We know we need to improve more for the future but, in the race tomorrow, something can always happen, so we will prepare for all scenarios to react correctly.
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