Leclerc's gearbox gets the all-clear from Ferrari!

©Ferrari

Charles Leclerc will start Sunday's 68th Monaco Grand Prix from pole position after Ferrari gave the all-clear to the Monegasque's gearbox.

The Scuderia announced on Friday that the component had not suffered terminal damage following Leclerc's crash at the Swimming Pool in the final moments of Saturday's qualifying shootout.

However, the Italian outfit said it would make a final call on Sunday morning, and the team has now confirmed that the SF21's gearbox is good to go.

"Following further in-depth checks this morning, no apparent defects were found on Charles Leclerc’s gearbox," said Ferrari in a statement.

"Therefore, the Monegasque driver will start today’s race from pole position, as per the qualifying result."

Read also: Wolff in favour of lap deletion rule for driver causing red flag

Had Ferrari been forced to change the gearbox, the swap would have entailed a five-spot grid drop for Leclerc and the likely ruination of his hopes of winning his home race.

So Leclerc will line up on pole as expected and fight to deliver a 239th win to the Scuderia and its first win at Monaco since Sebastian Vettel's triumph in the Principality in 2017.

But Red Bull's Max Verstappen is determined to rain on Leclerc and Ferrari's party...

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.