Key events

1h ago Preamble

Action resumes with 2 minutes 11 seconds remaining in Q1, at 14:22 BST/15:22 CET.

Regarding red flags, a note of warning: if you visit the south of France and bring an eight-year-old to Monte Carlo for the day, avoid giving biscuits near the prince's palace without watching the seagulls closely. Be ready for plasters and cream if the birds swoop in.

Red flag. Those in the elimination zone must hurry to complete another fast lap before time runs out.

Bortoleto hits the barriers! Perez, Bearman, Sainz, Bottas, Alonso and Stroll sit in danger of dropping out.

Russell has moved up into the top seven at least.

Antonelli then Verstappen push Norris lower, Russell sits 11th and safe for Q2 though he still has time left.

Norris appeared content during his earlier chat, showing the calm grin of a title winner even though this campaign has not gone smoothly. He is clearly relishing the qualifying session so far.

Antonelli manages only third, and Hamilton soon takes his place. Still Kimi looks far happier than Russell who sits down in 10th.

Norris leads briefly but Leclerc grabs the top spot back. Piastri holds third and McLaren can feel positive about their pace even if positions remain fluid.

Both Red Bulls look off the pace and Hadjar has voiced frustration. The Frenchman manages only ninth while Verstappen gets caught in traffic yet still records fifth.

Leclerc posts a strong time, quickest ahead of Norris then Antonelli and Hamilton. Piastri drops to sixth.

Ollie Bearman sets the pace but only with 1:15.9. Antonelli had already run in the 1:13s during FP3.

Here we go.

Martin Brundle mixes phrases, speaking of wringing the circuit's neck and thrashing it for a lap time. Neither expression makes complete sense to me.

All drivers sit ready in their cars. Tension fills the air.

The pole sitter has taken victory in 33 of 71 races, notes David Croft, and not since David Coulthard passed Juan Pablo Montoya in 2002 has the front-row starter failed to lead after lap one.

Monaco suits highlight reels. Sky shows past winners leaping into pools, champagne spraying and the glamour of F1 on display.

Jenson Button suggests any of the top seven could claim pole. Bernie Collins stresses that qualifying decides everything before picking Max Verstappen.

Regarding George Russell, the pre-season title hope, he trailed teammate Antonelli by 0.763 seconds this morning and nearly half a second in FP1, edging ahead only in FP2. The 28-year-old spent the winter breaking mirrors and walking under ladders and now needs fortune after his Montreal battle with Antonelli ended in engine failure while leading, leaving the Italian 43 points clear. With 10 minutes left, here are the current standings:

1. Kimi Antonelli (IT) Mercedes 131 points.
2. George Russell (GB) Mercedes 88pts
3. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 75pts
4. Lewis Hamilton (GB) Ferrari 72pts
5. Lando Norris (GB) McLaren 58pts
6. Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 48pts
7. Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull 43pts
8. Pierre Gasly (Fr) Alpine 20pts
9. Oliver Bearman (GB) Haas 18pts
10. Liam Lawson (NZ) Racing Bulls 16pts
11. Franco Colapinto (Arg) Alpine 15pts
12. Isack Hadjar (Fr) Red Bull 14pts
13. Carlos Sainz (Sp) Williams 6pts
14. Arvid Lindblad (GB) Racing Bulls 5pts
15. Gabriel Bortoleto (Br) Audi 2pts
16. Esteban Ocon (Fr) Haas 1pt
17. Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1pt

Constructors standings
1. Mercedes 219pts
2. Ferrari 147pts
3. McLaren 106pts
4. Red Bull 57pts
5. Alpine 35pts
6. Racing Bulls 21pts
7. Haas 19pts
8. Williams 7pts
9. Audi 2pts
10. Aston Martin 0pts
11. Cadillac 0pts

Is there a finer nationality name than Monegasque? Might the weekend peak be spelling Monegasque and idiosyncrasies correctly on the first attempt?

Leclerc speaks with Martin Brundle about his first F1 memory. He recalls Michael Schumacher in 2001 when the red car triumphed. The German drove for Ferrari.

The Monegasque enters the race boosted by a fresh contract. Can he mark it with victory?

The tight streets of the principality have long hindered overtaking yet the new rules might ease matters here. Leclerc told roadandtrack.com this week that Monaco could suit these cars well. Isack Hadjar echoed that view: smaller lighter machines should make racing more enjoyable than last year. The 2026 cars are 10cm narrower.

Qualifying will still prove decisive. Lando Norris described to Sky the thrill of last year's pole and the unique demands of this track. In Monaco you rely heavily on instinct. Some corners see cars brush the wall by the smallest margin. Any closer and you crash. Those are the moments when drivers almost close their eyes briefly.

Ferrari may enjoy success today yet team principal Fred Vasseur will miss it. The Associated Press notes he is under observation at a local clinic and will skip Saturday qualifying:

The Italian squad gave no further details on the 58-year-old French executive's health.
Fred Vasseur will not attend the circuit today. After medical checks he will stay under observation at a local facility, Ferrari stated.
No additional medical updates will follow. We wish Fred a swift recovery and hope to see him back soon.

Vasseur has led the team since 2023 and received a multi-year extension last season.

He had downplayed expectations, telling Formula1.com on Friday that rumours mean little and the squad must focus on the job. Monaco demands constant anticipation of track evolution and grip changes, staying one session ahead, which challenges both team and drivers.

While Ferraris topped Friday practice with Leclerc quickest in session one and Hamilton in session two, Antonelli led Saturday morning running.

Preamble

Betting odds offer insight even if gambling carries risk. One bookmaker on Friday night listed Kimi Antonelli at 1-2 for the drivers title with George Russell at 9-4, Lando Norris at 14-1 and Charles Leclerc at 20-1. For this weekend alone Antonelli sat at 14-1 while Leclerc was favourite at 5-6. Little from this event will shape the rest of the season unless Antonelli defies those Monaco odds.

Every circuit differs yet Monaco stands apart. Street tracks carry quirks but the twists and gradients here are unique, like a cricket ground with an avenue of trees or a copse in the middle.

Many season-long car issues fade for a week. No one will moan about lacking flat-out sections because braking supplies all needed recharge and straights stay short. This suits Ferrari and hinders Mercedes, explaining the odds on the local driver.

Many athletes relocate to Monte Carlo for the weather though Leclerc was born there. The 28-year-old whose father raced in French Formula 3 grew up watching grands prix on these streets. At eight and nine he saw Fernando Alonso win and at 10 he watched Lewis Hamilton. In 2024 Leclerc became the first home winner since Louis Chiron in 1931. It may not be Ferrari's or Leclerc's championship season but this could still be their weekend. Qualifying for Sunday's race starts at 3pm BST. More buildup follows from 2:30pm.