Three F1 drivers including Michael Schumacher have used '1000 IQ' move at Monaco Grand Prix to 'guarantee' pole position

Three Formula 1 drivers have previously deployed a 1000 IQ tactic in a bid to secure pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.

The race around the Circuit de Monaco is one of the most historic and iconic Grand Prix in F1 history.

Millionaires, billionaires and A-list celebrities are often spotted throughout the race weekend.

However, the on-track action has often been criticised, due to the nature of the circuit being too narrow for cars to overtake.

As a result, most people value the qualifying session as the most important part of the whole weekend.

Despite that, only four pole sitters have won in the last nine Monaco Grands Prix.

However, this does not diminish the importance of qualifying, and several drivers have been accused of using what we shall call a 1000 IQ tactic to secure pole position.

Back in 2006, F1 legend Michael Schumacher was the provisional pole sitter when he parked his car at La Rascasse corner during the final moments of Q3, which meant closest rival Fernando Alonso failed to improve.

This meant Schumacher qualified pole, but he later lost the position after the stewards deemed the German's actions as deliberate.

Michael Schumacher during the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix. Image: Getty

In 2014, Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton were fighting for pole in Monaco.

With a minute left of Q3, Rosberg, who had set the fastest lap of the session, locked up heading into Mirabeau and ended up going onto the escape road.

Behind the German was Hamilton, who was on a faster lap and it would've secured him pole.

However, the Brit was forced to lift as yellow flags were waved. Eventually, Rosberg secured pole and ended up winning the Grand Prix.

Nico Rosberg won the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Image: Getty

In the 2021 season, Charles Leclerc was on provisional pole during Q3, but crashed at the Swimming Pool section during his second lap, which meant others failed to improve their times as the session was red-flagged with under a minute left to go.

However, Leclerc failed to start the race despite securing pole.

During the pre-race lap, Leclerc was forced to retire due to an issue that was caused by the original crash, with the team failing to fix the problem in time.

Charles Leclerc crashed during qualifying at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. Image: Getty

Now, it must be acknowledged that the Rosberg and Leclerc situations could be genuine mistakes rather than deliberate attempts to sabotage other drivers' laps.

The 2025 Monaco Grand Prix will take place on Sunday afternoon, with Leclerc looking to make it back-to-back victories at his home race.