This is all about peaking at the right time. Q1, all you've got to do to make it into that top 15, make sure you are safely through to Q2.

Q2 it's all about getting into the top ten and really what you want is your ultimate fastest lap when it really matters in Q3.

"This is the worst position, we are out of phrase with everybody."

The Ferrari comes out into the light from The Tunnel and by the time he reaches the final corner, he moves up the order and top of the timesheets.

Charles Leclerc is in 12th spot and calls into his new Ferrari engineer, Bryan Bozzi, with a nervousness in his voice because of the position he now finds himself in. The Monegasque driver does not want to find himself in danger after such a strong practice showing.

I've spoken to engineers and mechanics going into this session and everyone thinks it's pretty close the top six, maybe seven drivers, that could get pole.

16. Yuki Tsunoda

17. Daniel Ricciardo

18. Logan Sargeant

19. Valtteri Bottas

20. Zhou Guanyu

We're still in the 1:12s as the clock dips below 10 minutes to go, but now Max Verstappen takes George Russell's spot at the top.

But that doesn't last long, as Oscar Piastri comes through to claim a 1:11.881 in the McLaren.

Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo are both on the team radio to highlight the traffic in Monaco.

The lap times are tumbling lap by lap, every time somebody gets a little bit braver, a little bit more confident, they can push closer to that barrier and everyone now putting in faster and faster laps.

What odds for a Mercedes pole today? George Russell jumps over a few cars to shoot to the top of the board with a 1:12.267.

The two Haas driver, Nico Hilkenberg and Kevin Magnussen, are the two quickest cars on track in this first qualifying session. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are just behind in their McLaren in third and fourth.

We are looking at a fight here, we've got the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, and you cannot discount the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in upgraded cars since Miami have been flying.

Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and local hero Charles Leclerc have yet to set a lap time, while Nico Hulknberg, who has been excellent in qualifying this year, goes to the top of the timesheets in the Haas with a 1:12.416.

Lewis Hamilton improves further to clock a new time of 1:12.945. Yuki Tsunoda is next up in the RB but here comes Max Verstappen on a flyer and the Dutchman hits a 1:12.790.

Nulla Pax: I don't think it's going to be enough if Charles takes Pole. He needs Max to be at least 3rd on the grid to feel confident about the start.

Matthew Murnaghan: Remember, it's hard to overtake in Monaco, so whoever grabs Pole in Monaco, is likely going to win.

The soft compound is bolted on across the field. Lewis Hamilton gets the party started with a 1:19.550.

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The forecast for today's important track action is partly cloudy with sunny intervals and a gentle breeze. At the start of the week, the risk of rain for qualifying was at 40%, but that threat has decreased significantly now.

Even the shop mannequins are waiting for Saturday qualifying in Monaco.

Q1 is green.

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Image source, BBC Sport

This year marks the 70th Formula 1 world championship race around the famous streets of Monaco.

However, drivers beware, as Esteban Ocon explained to Sky Sports: "It is a very cruel track if you don't have the confidence, the right set-up, the right state of mind behind you if you are not ready, basically, because it can bite you."

Ouch.

Still, it's the challenge every driver wants to conquer and the grand prix victory they all dream of winning.

The lap record of 1:12.909 is held by Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton recorded in 2021.

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Fernando Alonso was heading for his first pole position since 2021 in his Aston Martin when Max Verstappen produced a stunning display in the final sector to take pole position for last year's Monaco Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver had been 0.2 seconds behind Spaniard Alonso after the first two sectors of his last attempt in Q3, but a breathtaking final few corners put Verstappen 0.084secs ahead.

In Q1, Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez caused a red flag when he crashed into the wall at the exit at Sainte Devote.

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Sunday will focus more on the pomp and pageantry Monaco brings to the F1 table but Saturday's qualifying session is arguably when the real racing takes place.

The Principality's tight corners and claustrophobic walls means securing pole position is essential for the grand prix - and no-one has done that better this season then Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman has taken eight consecutive front-row spots - seven this year and the season finale at Abu Dhabi in November - and his surprise pole at Imola a week ago equalled the all-time record set by Ayrton Senna across the 1988 and 1989 seasons.

He turned his 2023 pole in Monaco into a rain-affected win - the second Monte Carlo victory of his career.