Racing in some of the toughest conditions of the season so far, Team Monaco has claimed pole position for their home race at E1 Monaco 2026, with Oban Duncan delivering a last-gasp lap to pip John Peeters of Team Blue Rising.
Duncan, the youngest pilot in the field, clinched first position on the very final lap. She and French co-pilot Maxime Nocher will lead the grid for Team Monaco's home race in only their fourth E1 outing.
Team Blue Rising had looked set to take pole after Peeters bettered his own benchmark time in Q4, but Duncan's late effort denied them their first pole position.
Double reigning champions Team Brady were in trouble during Q1 before Emma Kimmilänen hauled her team out of danger with a strong final lap. Sports.com Predict Team Miami Powered by Magnus and Team Rafa were eliminated in the opening part of qualifying.
Sierra Racing Club, with NBA star and co-owner Kyle Kuzma watching on, fell in Q2 alongside Team AlUla, championed by LeBron James. Team AlUla came through from qualifying ninth to finish third at the last race in Dubrovnik, so they still feel confident heading into the weekend.
The biggest surprise came in Q3, where championship leaders Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola were knocked back. Pilot Sara Price suffered a prop overspeed in the choppy conditions, leaving her underpowered for the remainder of her final lap and dropping the team to fifth.
The championship pace-setters will be looking to make progress on Saturday with team owner Will Smith in attendance. Aoki Racing also fell in Q3, narrowly missing out on a top-four berth as they look to get back on track after a challenging weekend last time out in Dubrovnik.
The Monaco event marks the Championship's third visit to the Principality, hosted at the Yacht Club de Monaco, with the E1 Fan Zone set up at Jetée Lucciana for Saturday's racing.
Jamie Copas, Chief Executive Officer, E1, said: "Congratulations to Team Monaco on a fantastic home pole and to all teams for a thrilling qualifying here today. It sets up the prospect of an exciting race tomorrow. With its racing heritage and coastal beauty, the Principality is a natural home for E1 and one of the standout events of the Championship."
