Daniel Ricciardo produced another exquisite lap to claim his second Formula 1 pole in three years at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The Australian was simply unstoppable as he posted a sensational new lap record of 1m10.810s around the streets of Monte Carlo, two tenths clear of Sebastian Vettel in the Ferrari.
It took a good final effort from the German to jump onto the front row, doing so at the expense of main championship rival Lewis Hamilton who will start from third in his Mercedes.
The two Finns, Kimi Raikkonen and Valtteri Bottas complete top five and the order of the top three teams with Max Verstappen set to start at the back after Red Bull discovered a gearbox problem following his crash in final practice earlier on Saturday.
There was a surprise leader in the midfield as Esteban Ocon emerged in sixth on what was a good day for Force India with Sergio Perez also making Q3 and finishing ninth.
Carlos Sainz put in a strong performance to take seventh in the Renault just ahead of compatriot Fernando Alonso as McLaren once again fell short of the lofty expectations.
Pierre Gasly was another stand out performer, as the Frenchman made the most of Toro Rosso’s better pace in Monaco to round out the top 10.
His and Force India’s unexpected pace meant Nico Hulkenberg and Stoffel Vandoorne were the unfortunate victims in Q2, sitting 11th and 12th respectively,
Sergey Sirotkin and Charles Leclerc can be satisfied with their first F1 qualifying on the streets of the Principality in 13th and 14th, both drivers also holding big advantages over their respective teammates who were both knocked out in Q1.
Haas’ poor weekend continued with Romain Grosjean only 15th and the Frenchman will take a three-place grid drop for the first lap crash in Spain dropping him down to 18th.
With rumours of being replaced continuing and his teammate P10, Brendon Hartley didn’t do his stock any good in being eliminated in the first part of qualifying in 16th, though will move up one place.
As will Marcus Ericsson and Lance Stroll with the latter enduring a torrid weekend for Williams, as proven by his numerous radio messages complaining back to his team.
Kevin Magnussen will start one place behind his Haas teammate after being slowest overall in 19th and the American team could well bring up the grid should Red Bull decide to start Verstappen from the pit-lane.
The full order from qualifying in Monaco can be seen below:
