Verstappen prepared to 'risk it all' for first Monaco pole

Max Verstappen says he was prepared to "give it everything" to overcome the early deficit to Fernando Alonso in a thrilling Monaco Formula 1 qualifying battle.

The Red Bull driver looked set to miss out on the qualifying victory after setting a lap time over two tenths of a second off the pace in the first two sectors.

However, a rapid final sector was enough to drag the RB19 back onto Pole Position in a close-fought qualifying hour.

The Dutchman set a lap time of 1:11.365, and it will be the first time that he has started from P1 for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Speaking after the session, Verstappen admitted that he risked barrier contact en route to the fastest lap of the day.

"We knew that this was going to be a little bit of a struggle for us this weekend to get everything together," Verstappen told media.

"Yesterday it wasn't the best start but I think we kept on improving and kept on being better, but in any qualifying you need to go all out and risk it all.

"My first sector wasn't ideal, and on my final lap I think Turn 1 was a bit cautious, but then I knew that I was behind, so in the last sector I just gave it everything, I had clipped a few barriers, but of course I'm very happy to be on Pole here for the first time.

"We need a clean start. It's a short run to Turn 1. You know in Monaco that a lot of things can happen, Safety Car, rain, you name it. So there's a bit of chaos involved.

"But I think race pace-wise that the car is quick, so that is not a problem, but just need to keep it clean and calm."