Herbert: P1 is perfect place to start but it won't be easy for Leclerc

Leclerc has all but 'owned' Monaco this weekend, always substantially faster than anyone on track at the same time, in practice and Qualifying. Although he did not dominate the grid-determining session on Saturday in Monte-Carlo, as many expected.

But still, Leclerc had enough to claim his 24th pole position, at the track where P1 on the grid tends to be a foot on the podium for most. But this not been the case for Charles when he started from top spot twice before for his home race, but not even a podium. Jinx springs to mind.

Speaking to the media team at BestPokerSites.ltd, Herbert reflected on Saturday's Qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix: "I’m pleased for Charles, he’s had tough times here with little incidents and strategy calls going wrong and it’s his home race.

"It’s a popular one because when we saw Piastri have a yellow sector, there was a big cheer from the grandstand and it’s good to see Ferrari challenging. It’s also good to see the likes of Piastri, Sainz, Norris and Russell challenging Verstappen in sixth. For Charles, it’s the perfect place to be."

But Herbert is also aware of the 'history' Leclerc has had on the streets of his hometown: "It’s not going to be easy for Charles. Piastri was pretty close to him. That is going to make it that little more important to get off the line and get into the lead.

"We know how quick that McLaren is in a race as we saw in Miami and at the end of the race in Imola with Lando challenging Max until the end. The track won’t be as hard on the tyres as it was in Imola but you’re still going to have to use the grip of the tyres for as long as you can.

"Charles has got the most experience of that front row. That’s something you think would benefit him," venture Herbert, a three-time Grand Prix winner in a stellar motorsport career (Le Mans winner) career that included 161 GP starts.

Like most, Herbert is ultra-impressed with Oscar Piastri who is turning out to be even quicker than Norris on one-lap pace, and is well placed for a first Grand Prix win this afternoon: "I’m impressed with Oscar because he has really come alive. It’s good for him that he’s seen his teammate get that win in Miami."

It must be said that Ferrari under Ferd Vasseur's watch is a vastly improving team as the Frenchman's modus operandi sinks in at Maranello. Herbert is bullish about their chances of helping Leclerc to that elusive home win.

Herbert explained: "It’s a different Ferrari because they have a better strategy. They’d made some poor decision in the past which cost them points which has been confusing for us to understand. Fred has been able to put them in a better place, it’s not perfect but it’s much stronger.

"They’re going to get tested by McLaren, the undercut is something that has been important in the past so that’s very important for Oscar to be close behind Charles but then it’s the reaction of Ferrari at the same time. It could be a chess game between those two.

"Then you’ve got Carlos just behind with Lando who could take a risk into turn one. We all know that in Monaco, starting from pole position is exactly what you’ll need to do," said Herbert.

As or the "dark horse" for today's Moanco Grand Prix, Herbert reckoned: Oscar is hungry and when he sees his teammate do well, he’s not sitting back, he’s working doubly hard to make sure he gets that opportunity right.

"In qualifying, that was a good job and he’s been consistent throughout all of the sessions. It’s really good to see him bounce back. It’s a strong pairing McLaren have got here. Both of them are able to push and drag each other on so it’s a powerful thing for McLaren to have," concluded Herbert.