Schumacher storms to pole but takes penalty in Monaco

Michael Schumacher has stormed to his 69th pole position after a frenetic qualifying session for tomorrows Monaco Grand Prix, however the 7-time World Champion will not start on pole for tomorrows race after being issued a 5-place grid penalty for his collision with Senna in Spain. This therefore means Mark Webber will assume pole on tomorrows grid.

The first of the three qualifying segments started in traditional Monaco style, as Charles Pic became the first driver to leave the pits and was blocked on his first flying lap by the HRT of Pedro de la Rosa. As Fernando Alonso set the initial pace, Sergio Perez brought proceedings to momentary halt as the Mexican crashed out of qualifying. This incident brought out the red flag, as the Sauber driver ran wide at through the swimming pool complex and hit the barriers.

Once the session resumed, Nico Rosberg led out a queue of expectant drivers. It was the Mercedes duo that then set the pace, before Nico Hulkenberg flew to the top of the timing sheets as the Force India driver opted for the super-soft tyres. The Lotus of Kimi Raikkonen was almost knocked out after Q1, however the Finn calmly sneaked through with only seconds to spare. As ever, the two Caterham’s, Marussia’s and HRT’s joined Perez in being eliminated after Q1.

The second session of qualifying started with Jean-Eric Vergne’s Toro Rosso setting the initial pace, before the Frenchman made a slight mistake upon exiting the tunnel and lost his front wing as well as damaging his right-rear suspension. This brought a premature end to his session, whilst Felipe Massa surprised many by setting the fastest lap. Once again Kimi Raikkonen only just creeped through to Q3, whereas 2009 Monaco Grand Prix winner Jenson Button was left in 13th position. Button joined Hulkenberg, Kobayashi, Senna, di Resta, Ricciardo and Vergne in being eliminated.

As the 10 minute qualifying shootout began, many would have been forgiven for being surprised at seeing Felipe Massa taking part. This race being the first in which Massa has progressed to Q3 in 2012, after a highly uncompetitive opening five races.

Nico Rosberg and Pastor Maldonado set the early pace in Q3, with the Venezuelan driver set to take a 10-place grid drop for the race after unsportingly driving into Sergio Perez in final practice. Romain Grosjean then went fastest, with many predicting the Frenchman to get his first F1 pole at Monaco. Whilst many drivers were circulating the Monte-Carlo street circuit, reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettel instead returned to the pits without setting a timed lap. This will make victory tomorrow a tall order for the German.

As the session came to close, many drivers began marginally improving against one another, as Mark Webber shot to provisional pole with a 01:14.381. Lewis Hamilton went purple in sector two, however was unable to beat the Aussie’s time across the line. With many believing Webber had secured pole for the race, Michael Schumacher stunned the F1 fraternity as the most accomplished driver in the history of the sport stormed to pole after a phenomenally quick lap with a 01:14.301.

This is Michael Schumacher’s first pole position since the 2006 French Grand Prix when he drove for Ferrari, however the German will unfortunately not start from pole for tomorrows race. After allegedly causing the incident between himself and Bruno Senna in Spain, the Mercedes driver will endure a 5-place grid drip and will subsequently start 6th for the race. With Mark Webber set to start tomorrows race from pole, with Rosberg alongside him, anything could happen when the lights go out tomorrow afternoon!

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