Norris Stuns Monaco With Pole – Telemetry & Qualifying Recap

Lando Norris Grabs Pole in Monaco – Here’s How He Beat Leclerc

In one of the most thrilling qualifying sessions of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Lando Norris delivered a lap for the ages to snatch pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix. On a track where precision matters more than power, McLaren’s rising star edged out local hero Charles Leclerc, who once again missed out on converting home advantage.

But how exactly did Norris do it? We took a deep dive into the telemetry to understand where he found the time—and it’s not where you’d expect.

Leclerc vs Norris – Where the Lap Was Won

Looking at the telemetry overlay, Norris made most of his time:

• Braking later into Turn 1 and Turn 5, taking more risk on entry.
• Better traction out of the Swimming Pool, maintaining throttle earlier.
• More aggressive steering input, particularly through the hairpin.

Despite Leclerc’s superior speed in the tunnel section, it wasn’t enough to outweigh Norris’s fearless commitment in the tighter corners.

Throttle Comparison: Smooth vs Savage

A deeper look at throttle application shows a stark contrast in styles:

• Norris was more on/off, showing a “point-and-squirt” approach suited to Monaco’s stop-start nature.
• Leclerc, on the other hand, had a smoother throttle curve, likely trying to preserve rear grip—but perhaps too cautious in key areas.

This aggressive throttle modulation from Norris may have made the difference in the slower sectors, where milliseconds are everything.

A Shocking Pole – But Can He Hold It?

Norris’s pole marks his first at Monaco and sets up a dramatic Sunday. With Leclerc and Piastri breathing down his neck, and Red Bull lurking, the narrow streets of Monte Carlo will be unforgiving.

But if qualifying showed us anything—it’s that Norris has the confidence and car to fight.

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🔗 For official results: FIA Document | F1.com Monaco Results