He edged out local favourite and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who will also start on the front row after managing a best time of 1:10.063.

The current leader in the Drivers’ Championship, Oscar Piastri of McLaren, recorded the third-fastest lap with a time of 1:10.129. He is set to start on the second row alongside seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, who posted 1:10.382 despite crashing earlier in the day and requiring extensive repairs to his car.

Lewis Hamilton. Photo: X

However, Hamilton has since joined the list of penalised drivers for the Monaco Grand Prix after race stewards ruled that he impeded Max Verstappen during qualifying.

Television footage showed Hamilton moving slowly at the entrance to Massenet during Q1, just as Verstappen began a flying lap and approached at much higher speed.

Following a post-session review, stewards handed Hamilton a three-place grid penalty, dropping him to seventh. As a result, Verstappen, Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso all move up a place on the grid.

what a lap from lando, fastest one in the history of monaco ????? pic.twitter.com/yTxuX6jMuf

— ?????????? 4 ?? ?????????? ???????? (@flurofour) May 24, 2025

Defending world champion Verstappen, who won last weekend in Imola, faces a tough challenge on Sunday after qualifying in fourth after being promoted. The tight, twisty Monaco street circuit is notoriously difficult to overtake on, making pole position crucial to success.

The Dutch driver, representing Red Bull, had earlier posted a time of 1:10.669, but now starts on the second row alongside the young Australian, Oscar Piastri.

Reacting to his pole position, Norris expressed both relief and joy, saying it had been a long time coming – and that securing it in Monaco made it all the more special.

“It’s been a long time coming, so I feel good. I don’t think people realise how good this feels after quite a few struggles over the last couple of months,” said Norris, who is currently second in the Drivers’ Championship.

Max Verstappen. Photo: X

“Especially here in Monaco – it’s a beautiful place and probably the hardest track to do it, and to do it against the hometown hero as well. I’m very proud of the whole team. We’ve worked hard this week, and over the last few months, to get to a day like today – so I’m very pleased.

“When you get to Q3, the final lap is really about who can risk a little bit more, who can commit a little bit more. It was a nice lap – well put together – and it feels good when you cross the line and know it’s all paid off. I’m very happy.”

Sunday’s race at the legendary Circuit de Monaco is scheduled to begin at 15:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg