Lando Norris Reveals Bold McLaren Gamble After Monaco Pole

Lando Norris delivered a standout moment during qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, capturing pole position with a record-breaking time of 1:09.954. This lap set a new standard, making Norris the first driver to dip below the 70-second barrier at Monaco.

For McLaren, it marked their first pole at the Principality since Fernando Alonso’s effort in 2007. Norris, who secured his last pole position at the Australian Grand Prix season opener, built a 0.175-second gap over teammate Oscar Piastri, who starts third, while Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton followed closely behind.

McLaren grabbed attention for their unique qualifying approach, giving both Norris and Piastri two timed runs at the end of Q3. After a tight initial run, Norris surged ahead on his second attempt, improving his time by a significant margin.

The team’s plan, described by Norris as “no risk,” relied on believing in their preparation, despite the ever-increasing lap times as track conditions evolved. Norris explained that at Monaco, where finding improvements is tough and margins are fine, sticking with the pre-planned strategy was the key. For more on Monaco’s unique challenges, see this analysis by the FIA.

Taking risks is always part of driving a fast lap, but Norris said he felt confident that McLaren’s tactic would hold up under pressure.

Recent weeks had seen Norris battle through struggles, making this pole position even more rewarding. The Monaco Grand Prix is recognized as one of the hardest places to secure pole, given its tight walls and lack of overtaking chances during the race. Learn more about Monaco’s circuit history from Wikipedia’s detailed overview.

Norris credited the progress he and the team made over the past months, especially against a competitive field and local favorite Charles Leclerc. He admitted that he was not yet focused on the new two-stop pit strategy required for the race, preferring to celebrate the qualifying result he worked so hard to achieve.

Team performance has been strong this season, with McLaren drivers leading the Driver Standings. Oscar Piastri holds 146 points, Norris is close behind with 133, and Max Verstappen follows at 124. For the latest standings and race insights, visit Formula 1’s official site.

In the Team Standings, McLaren leads with 279 points, ahead of Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari. This form underlines the progress McLaren has made since the start of the campaign.

Other Monaco Grand Prix qualifiers saw action across the board, from Lewis Hamilton facing a stewards’ investigation to George Russell’s red flag incident, and Kimi Antonelli’s crash ending his session early. Monaco’s narrow streets challenge every driver, raising the excitement and unpredictability for race day. For a deeper dive into F1 regulations and stewarding, check out the FIA’s official documentation.

With qualifying wrapped up, all eyes turn to Sunday’s main event. Norris will look to convert his first Monaco pole into a victory, a feat last accomplished by McLaren 18 years ago with Alonso. The race is set for May 25, with additional key grands prix following in Spain, Canada, Austria, and the UK as the 2025 F1 season continues its momentum. For historical context on past Monaco winners, explore Motorsport Magazine’s archives.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.