F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE: Leclerc takes POLE despite crash, Alonso OUT – live updates

LECLERC IS ON POLE

PAIN FOR VERSTAPPEN

RED FLAG LECLERC HAS CRASHED – BUT HE IS ON POLE

Huge drama as the Ferrari man, who was already on provisional pole, crashed at the end of his lap.

He takes pole, as the session is stopped with just 18 seconds to go after crashing at the swimming pool section.

It means Verstappen and Bottas are unable to better their lap times when they were on flying laps.

HAMILTON IN TROUBLE

He hits the barriers on his flying lap. He is still going but his time is down.

VERSTAPPEN FAILS TO BETTER HIS LAP TIME

However, there is still time. 1m 30sec to go. Track is getting very busy.

WOW LECLERC TAKES PROVISOINAL POLE FROM VERSTAPPEN

This is heating up as the two trade places.

Q3 IS GO. CAN HAMILTON FIGHT BACK OR IS THIS MAX VERSUS THE FERRARIS?

Verstappen takes provisional pole with a time of 1:10.576. Bottas was just 0.060 seconds slower.

This is going to be close. Ferrari yet to show their hand.

ELIMINATED FROM Q2

Ocon, Stroll, Raikkonen and Russell are also out of the top 10 shootout. Antonio Giovinazzi is through.

RICCIARDO IS OUT

The Australian is out of Q2. He is in 12th after failing to get into the top 10 shoot out.

That is very disappointing for the former Monaco GP winner, who has been out-shone by his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris.

MERC STILL OFF THE PACE

Bottas in P4 and Hamilton in P6. Could be a miserable result for the Silver Arrows.

IN THE DROP ZONE

Giovinazzi, Stroll, Ocon, Raikkonen and Russell. Can the Brit make it in to Q3?

LANDO NORRIS IS FLYING

He has just put his McLaren in second, between the two Ferraris. That was a great lap from the Brit.

FIRST RUNS IN Q2 AND FERRARI LEAD

It is Sainz ahead of Leclerc. Verstappen is in P3 and Hamilton P4.

Q2 IS GO – GREEN LIGHT IN THE PITLANE

The session is live as George Russell looks to reach Q3 for the first time in his Williams. That would be a huge achievement.

WORLD CHAMPION FERNANDO ALONSO OUT IN Q1

The two-time world champion is OUT at the first hurdle. He joins Schumacher, Mazepin, Latifi and Tsunoda in the TV pen after failing to reach Q2.

IN THE DROP ZONE FOR Q1

Mazepin, Latifi, Ocon and Alonso are in the bottom five. Mick Schuamcher will not take part in quali as he busted his Haas in Q3.

The German will start in last place having been given permission to start the race.

FINALLY A MERC TOPS THE TIME SHEETS

But it is not Hamilton, who is in P7, but his teammate, Bottas.

The Finn is quickest ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen.

FERRARI IN THE HUNT

QUALIFYING IS GO FOR THE MONACO GP

Who will be on pole? A six-way shoot out. Mercedes have been on the back foot.

The stage is set for Verstappen to take P1. But will Ferrari have a say in that?

IT IS “GAME OVER FOR MERCEDES”

Scathing verdict from Nico Rosberg, who says “there is not much they can do now. They are stuck and in a corner and I don’t hold much hope for them in qualifying “.

Zinger from the former Merc man, who won the title with the team in 2016.

IT IS VERSTAPPEN WHO LEADS THE WAY

Then the two Ferrari drivers as they look in excellent form on the Monte Carlo streets.

But Hamilton goes in to the most important qualifying session of the year in SEVENTH.

SECOND CRASH FOR SCHUMACHER THIS WEEK IN MONACO

RED FLAG BIG CRASH FOR SCHUMACHER

His Haas is busted up. He is out of the car but wow, that is a lot of damage to his car.

The session is stopped but his car is in pieces. Unlikely his Haas mechanics will get that repaired in time for qualifying.

McLAREN RUNNING SPECIAL ONE-OFF GULF LIVERY THIS WEEKEND

“MERCEDES ARE IN TROUBLE”

Nico Rosberg says his form team are struggling for pace. They are behind Red Bull AND Ferrari.

Hamilton in P5 and Bottas in P6. They have their work cut out if they are to take pole.