Monaco 2026: pre-qualifying


Finally, a non-sprint weekend… and it’s Monaco. Oh well.



In first practice, Leclerc led Hamilton by two-tenths, with Verstappen and Antonelli three-tenths further back. Russell was half a second behind his team mate, then we had Norris, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Bortoleto, and Gasly.

Hamilton was quickest in second practice, a tenth ahead of Leclerc. But Verstappen was only half a tenth off, while Russell was two-tenths slower and about a tenth ahead of Antonelli. Hadjar, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Bortoleto, and Bearman completed the top 10.



My instinct going into this was to back Leclerc or maybe Hamilton each way (he had odds of 6 pre-weekend).

Surprised and a bit disappointed there’s no each way available on Ladbrokes for fastest qualifier.

Leclerc’s evens to win the race, Hamilton’s 3, Verstappen’s 8 (Ladbrokes’ odds).



Heroically, I backed Leclerc at 2.18 on Betfair to win the race. Normally I’d make a race bet post-qualifying but it’s Monaco.



This might well be the last regular F1 bet I make. May make more on an intermittent basis but I’ve had a shocking level of disinterest in betting this year and that’s probably not the best frame of mind to have when making financial decisions. Rather surprised, given I kept interest during Hamilton and Verstappen’s victory parade years, but here we are.



Morris

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