“We should have had a shot for pole in the last run” – Valtteri Bottas incensed with Charles Leclerc after Monaco qualifying ‘crashgate’

“We should have had a shot for pole in the last run” – Valtteri Bottas massively disappointed after a Charles Leclerc crash resulted in the Monaco GP final qualifying being red-flagged.

The Monaco Grand Prix lived up to its dramatic expectations on Saturday qualifying, ending with a red flag. This after the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc crashed into the walls towards the final stages of Q3, earning him the pole position in the process AND Twitter mentions with Leclerc #crashgate trending.

The red flag ruined the intended final laps of all the other drivers, most crucially Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. The latter did not shy away from letting his feelings known on team radio. The Red Bull will start from P2 tomorrow, alongside Leclerc.

Bottas misses out on pole

Valtteri Bottas was on his final flying run and looking good to potentially take pole position. He was visibly upset after the session, a feeling shared by all the Q3 candidates, including Leclerc.

“For me, it’s disappointing I didn’t get my last run with the red flag. That’s how it is sometimes. I left everything out there for the last run. The first run wasn’t really up at all, the second run with the prep lap that we did.

“I was actually feeling good, and I was quite a bit up on my lap time. We should have had a shot for pole in the last run. So I’m gutted.

“I think I was in Turn 6 to 7, and 0.150s up. But if and if, that’s what it is.

“I think we made good progress through the weekend with the car and definitely happier with it in qualifying. We will try everything we can for the race tomorrow. It’s Monaco and anything can happen.”

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