Vettel on pole for Monaco Grand Prix
Editor By Tristan Rayner, 28 May 2011 Tristan Rayner is a Roar Editor
- Tagged:
- Formula 1, Formula One, Mark Webber, Monaco grand prix, Sebastian Vettel
Sebastian Vettel grabbed pole for the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix - Photograph: LUCA BRUNO/AP
Sebastian Vettel grabbed pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix, his first at the track, with Jenson Button in second and Mark Webber on third. Final qualifying saw Sergio Perez suffer a big accident, interrupting the session.
Sebastian Vettel made his own luck, banking the second fastest time ever around Monaco to capture pole position.
Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso was fourth, Michael Schumacher fifth, Felipe Massa sixth, Lewis Hamilton seventh, Nico Rosberg eighth, Pastor Maldonaldo ninth, and Perez tenth.
Perez may not race after being taken to hospital following his accident.
Qualifying report
The first part of qualifying saw the main runners all through, with McLaren leading the way. Nico Rosberg was able to join qualifying after a nasty crash in his Mercedes GP, and was faster than teammate Michael Schumacher.
The drivers eliminated were Heikki Kovalainen, Jarno Trulli, Jamie Alguersuari, Timo Glock, and Jerome D’Ambrosio. Tonio Liuzzi and Nahrain Karthikeyan failed to set times, after Liuzzi had a major shunt during practice and a rear-suspension problem was found on Karthikeyan’s car.
Qualifying part two saw the battle to get into the top ten between the front runners and the midfield, with Hamilton leading the pack ahead of Vettel and teammate Button.
Mark Webber was seventh and not looking like he would repeat his memorable pole from 2010, some half-second off the pace of the pair at the top.
Sebastien Buemi, Nick Heidfeld, Adrian Sutil, Paul Di Resta, Kamui Kobayashi, Rubens Barrichello, and Vitaly Petrov were eliminated from qualifying, with notable performances from rookies Sergio Perez and Pastor Maldonaldo to qualify in the top ten.
Qualifying was decided with the top-ten shootout, with the session compromised by a heavy shunt suffered by Sergio Perez, who lost control out of the exit at the tunnel, off line into the swimming pool corner, ploughing side-on into the barriers at the Nouveau chicane.
Medical teams worked slowly and carefully, with some considerable concern for Perez, with relief amongst the teams and fans that he was indeed talking and conscious.
The accident red flagged Monaco qualifying with just 2:26 left for a final shootout flying lap amongst the top runners. Lewis Hamilton in particular was disadvantaged, having not set a fast flying lap after being balked by Felipe Massa as he exited from the pits.
The barriers were also badly damaged and required running track repairs before qualifying resumed.
After lengthy 38 minute delay, qualifying resumed with Lewis Hamilton waiting at the end of the pit lane to get out first, and all nine remaining cars taking to the track for a final flurry. However, only Hamilton was able to get any improvement from their cars, qualifying sixth.
The Crowd Says (5) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- Formula 1, Formula One, Mark Webber, Monaco grand prix, Sebastian Vettel
May 28th 2011 @ 11:48pm
Stu said | May 28th 2011 @ 11:48pm | Report comment
Sergio is conscious and talking. 11:51pm AEST
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May 28th 2011 @ 11:55pm
Tristan Rayner said | May 28th 2011 @ 11:55pm | Report comment
Thanks for the update. Sounding positive, but unconfirmed reports of pain in his leg, and looks unlikely to run tomorrow.
May 29th 2011 @ 12:28am
Rhys said | May 29th 2011 @ 12:28am | Report comment
Those F1 beasts have got no place on a circuit like that, which is just one of the reasons the Monaco GP is such compelling viewing. I could watch them gun it through the Piscine chicane all day – Schuey was seriously on the edge through there – ripping stuff!!
Hate to have to say it again, but Vettel really is in another league at present. Still pit strategy and those super soft Pirelli’s will hopefully add spice to the Monaco mix tomorrow night.
May 29th 2011 @ 12:50am
AlfredC said | May 29th 2011 @ 12:50am | Report comment
I was probably expecting too much for a repeat of last season in terms of competition. Vettel is looking unbeatable and interest in the divers championship is surely waning.
I have nothing against Vettel but I really hope he has a few bad runs just for the sake of a little competition. Last years competition was the best i have seen in a long time and that’s because there we’re 5 legitimate contenders for the championship all the way through. I’ll be very disappointed if Vettel can get to the point where he has the luxury of driving defensively.
May 29th 2011 @ 9:26pm
Cam said | May 29th 2011 @ 9:26pm | Report comment
I’m sorry Rusty, but i thought you said 168 thousand pounds for the Maclaren road car? How the hell does that convetr to half a million Aus?