Monaco Gp

Formula 1 2021: Max Verstappen makes most of Charles Leclerc's Monaco GP misery to take championship lead

Carlos Sainz for Ferrari took second with Lando Norris of McLaren completing the podium. Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton had a low key weekend, qualifying in seventh and finishing in seventh.

Formula 1 2021: Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc’s Monaco GP hopes dashed as Ferrari announce last-minute withdrawal

With Leclerc, who had damaged his car in a crash at the end of Saturday qualifying, out and his front-row spot vacant, Max Verstappen for Red Bull was left leading the grid for this fifth leg of the Formula One season.

Formula 1 2021: Monaco GP polesitter Charles Leclerc faces anxious wait over crash-damaged Ferrari

Qualifying was red-flagged towards the end of Q3 after Leclerc's smash, depriving the likes of Hamilton and Verstappen a chance to topple the man from Monaco's time of 1min 10.346sec with a flying lap.

Formula 1 2021: Charles Leclerc takes pole for Ferrari despite crashing at Monaco GP qualifying

Leclerc held the top spot at his home track until his Ferrari grazed a barrier to break a suspension piece. He then hopped a curb and finally came to a stop crashed into another barrier to bring the qualifying session to an abrupt end.

Formula 1 2021: Lewis Hamilton riles up Max Verstappen ahead of Monaco GP with 'lots to prove' jibe

Hamilton is going for his 101st pole position and 99th win this weekend, while Verstappen has yet to take the chequered flag in the Principality.

Formula 1: Monaco Grand Prix to allow 7,500 spectators with 'highest sanitary conditions'

Cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's race on 23 May has sold "already 4,000 tickets", according to Christian Tornatore, commissioner-general of the Automobile Club de Monaco.

Formula 1: Spectators may return for Monaco GP, says CEO Stefano Domenicali

"In the next Grand Prix of Portugal and Spain, unfortunately, we will not have anyone, but Monaco is presented as the first where a limited number of people should be admitted on Sunday," Formule 1 CEO said.

Formula 1 2021: Spectators could return for Monaco GP, says F1 chief Stefano Domenicali

Monaco announced 10 days ago an easing of health restrictions in the Principality, but without a decision on the Grand Prix, the fifth round of this season's calendar.

Formula 1 2021: Monaco eases Covid-19 restrictions but yet to decide on fans at Grand Prix

Three motor races cancelled last year, are back on the calendar this year: the Monaco Historic Grand Prix on 25 April, the E-Prix on 8 May and the main event, the F1 Grand Prix.

Monaco planning on holding three motor races in span of five weeks in 2021 following postponement of F1 Grand Prix

The Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM) said on Tuesday the biennial Historic Grand Prix would be held on 25 April, 2021, with an all-electric Formula E eprix on 8 May and then the return of Formula One on 23 May.