Lando Norris may have seized his second pole of the season in dazzling style, but the McLaren driver admits his path to victory in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix will likely be anything but straightforward.
A rare twist in the tale has been introduced by the FIA, mandating a two-stop strategy in a bid to invigorate what is traditionally Formula 1’s most processional race.
For Norris, who pipped Charles Leclerc in the final moments of a gripping qualifying session on Saturday, the new rule and how it will be exploited may open up opportunities for any one driver in the field to shine.
The McLaren star is both wary and intrigued by what lies ahead, while Leclerc, starting second, also sees potential for surprises to ripple from the back to the front.
On Monaco’s glitzy stage, where pole often guarantees victory, this afternoon’s bold experiment promises a race like no other.
“More opportunity for everyone” — even at the front
“Sadly, I think there’ll be more opportunity for everyone,” Norris admitted after clinching pole. “But that’s the way it is. That’s what Formula 1 has done to just try and put on more of a show.
“Of course, in my position now, I probably don’t agree with what’s been done. But I’m not the one who makes the rules. So, we’ll see.
“I think there is more opportunity for everyone, whether you are starting on pole or if you’re starting last, you can be more optimistic, which is great for you guys. Not so good for me. So, let’s wait and see.”
While Monaco’s narrow layout often locks the order in place from Turn 1, Sunday’s format certainly have the potential through pit strategy, timing, and traffic to flip the script.
Heading into the Unkown
Leclerc, whose flawless weekend was only spoiled by Norris’s last-gasp lap in Q3, echoed the Brit’s cautious optimism. Starting second on the grid at his home race, the Monegasque driver emphasized how unpredictability further down the pack could ripple up the order.
“I think it’s very difficult also to know what to expect,” Leclerc said. “I think we all go a little bit into the unknown. More stops means more opportunities.
“I don’t think it will change what happens in Turn 1, Lap 1. I think that’s going to be very similar to any other year because it’s going to be just as significant.
“But then we’ll have to see with the pit stops. I don’t think there’s going to be anything surprising in the top positions.
“I think there’s going to be some things that are probably going to be surprising in the back, and that could affect the top positions. So yeah, I don’t know. It’s going to be interesting. We’ll see.”
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