Monaco Grand Prix: F3 Qualifying

The fourth round of the F3 season takes to the prestigious Monaco circuit. Which driver will prevail and secure pole?

The F3 grid heads to the crown jewel for its fourth round of the season and its second time around the notorious 2.074-mile (3.337 km) track. Last race weekend in Imola saw a new championship leader with Leonardo Fornaroli jumping to the top with a three-point advantage over Luke Browning.

The weekend so far

Heading into the weekend a new face takes the grid, Matías Zagazeta underwent an emergency appendicitis surgery. Jenzer Motorsport announced that in his absence GB4 racer, James Hedley would be taking his place.

Thursday’s practice session was under wet conditions where havoc ensued. Turn 1 was a big issue for drivers with three red flags caused by incidents around its barrier.

The first incident occurred when Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak he hit the barrier. Shortly after, Callum Voisin became the next victim of the Turn 1 barrier.

With the final 23 minutes on the clock, the rest of the grid went out but a couple of minutes into green flag conditions, Sami Meguetounif slammed into the barriers bringing his day to an abrupt end, halting the session once again.

? QUALIFYING GROUPS ?

Even numbers ? Group A
Odd numbers ? Group B#F3 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/okGkp0FCKb

— Formula 3 (@Formula3) May 23, 2024

For qualifying at Monaco the grid is split into two groups of 15, Group A consists of even-numbered cars, whilst Group B includes those with odd-numbered cars.

Initially, Group A heads out with a qualifying time of 14 minutes before Group B heads out for their turn. The driver who has the fastest average speed will be taking pole position. From P3 onwards, the groups alternate to set the grid for Sunday.

Group A

The sun blazed down on the circuit, a complete 180 from yesterday’s wet session.

The first 15 drivers took to the circuit with Fornaroli the first to set the benchmark time of 1:39.536. However, this time was quickly overshadowed by Browning, who clocked in the first quickest time of 1:26.170.

Fornaroli, once again, jumped to the top of the times, entering the 1:25’s, lurking just behind was the Brit who was setting purple sectors around the circuit, set a 1:24.532.

Prema’s Miní was looking to be in the fight for pole, the young Italian was setting personal bests, however, it wasn’t enough and slotted into third for the time behind.

Browning was not letting pole position out of his site, he flew around the circuit improving his own time by three tenths of a second.

With one minute left on the clock, the 15 drivers looked to challenge the Hitech’s drivers time. Mari Boya was looking like a strong contender, he setting purple sectors whilst running close to the wall, leaving it all out on the circuit, however, he hit the wall and had to abandon his time.

BROWNING HITS THE WALL ?

The Brit manages to get the car back to the pits, but that is his Qualifying session done #F3 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/xS074YMmci

— Formula 3 (@Formula3) May 24, 2024

Disaster for Browning struck as the Briton looked to improve his time once again. However, just like Boya, he took too much kerb, hit the wall and had to retreat to the pits, becoming vulnerable to those on their final flying laps. A tough end to his session after a strong showing throughout.

This left the window open for Miní, who was flying around the circuit. As he crossed the line, he overshadowed Brownings time and took provisional pole with a strong 1:23.942.

Group B heads out

The odd-numbered drivers then took to the circuit. However, it was quickly red flagged after rookie Hedley locked up and hit the barriers at Turn 1. A disappointing start to his debut F3 race.

? Red flag

James Hedley locks up and goes straight on at turn 1.

However, the Brit has manages to get the car going and get it back to the pits #F3 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/EHPJhrbMdj

— Formula 3 (@Formula3) May 24, 2024

With 10 minutes on the clock, the drivers exited the pits and headed out for their warm up laps. Meguetounif was the first driver to set a time on the board, 1.26.098.

However, Beganovic lurked behind and snatched the position with a 1:25.569. Mansell shot up the rankings and slotted into second, two tenths off Beganovic’s time.

The time was ticking down quickly and as the final three minutes approached, Mansell clocked in the group’s quickest time of 1:24.921 – a second off Miní’s time.

However, Beganovic was flying around the circuit, clocking in purple sectors and closing in on his teammate’s provisional pole time.

? Red flag

With less than a minute remaining, the session is brought to a stop as Charlie Wurz locks up and goes straight on at turn 1

The session will not be resumed #F3 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/oAmqTnmMMZ

— Formula 3 (@Formula3) May 24, 2024

As he was about to cross the line, a red flag was brought out after Wurz locks up and goes off at Turn 1, meaning the Swede had to abandon his lap.

A heartbreaking end for one Prema is a celebration for the other with Miní securing pole for the second year in-a-row. Mansell and Browning round out the top three with Tsolov taking reverse pole position for Saturday’s sprint.

The top 12

1 – Miní

2 – Mansell

3 – Browning

4 – Lindblad

5 – Fornaroli

6 – Beganovic

7 – Boya

8 – Loake

9 – Leon

10 – Tramnitz

11 – Van Hoepen

12 – Tsolov

Featured image credits: @Formula3 via X