Charles Leclerc says he expects a closely contested battle for pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix, with Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen among the leading contenders. Speaking as the weekend develops after Friday practice, Leclerc described both Hamilton and Verstappen as “very strong,” adding that the fight for the top grid spot is likely to be “very tight.” Leclerc frames the outlook around Monaco’s narrow, high-precision nature and the competitiveness he sees from the front-running cars. However, he also points to a potential complication involving his car’s brake troubles. His comments indicate that while he expects a tight three-way contest, his ability to challenge for pole depends on whether he can work through the brake issues ahead of qualifying. The other sides’ pace and the remaining trackside adjustments appear central to determining whether Leclerc can convert practice performance into pole at his home race.