Sawt Falasteen - McLaren's Norris snatches Monaco pole with lap record

The 25-year-old Briton was the first driver to complete a lap of the sinuous Mediterranean street circuit in less than 70 seconds as he clocked a best lap in one minute and 9.954 seconds, seconds after the Monegasque appeared to have secured his fourth Monaco pole.

It was Norris's first pole in Monaco, his second this year and the 11th of his career.

"It has been a long time coming," said Norris. "I feel good. I don't think I would realise how good this would feel after a few struggles over the last couple of months. We have worked a lot to get where we are today."

Last year's winner and local hero Leclerc seemed to have done enough with seconds remaining, but was pushed into second by Norris's late effort, denting his hopes of repeating his emotional home win last year.

Leclerc said he felt he had "more to be done" but "at the end of the day this was the best we could do. The first lap was a bit of a shame and I'm just frustrated. We know we don’t have the car for wins this year."

Norris's McLaren team-mate and championship leader Oscar Piastri was third ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari, four-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull and remarkable rookie Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls.

Two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, taking part in his 21st Monaco qualifying, was seventh ahead of Esteban Ocon of Haas, Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls and Williams' Alex Albon.

S.AbuJamous--SF-PST