MAX VERSTAPPEN produced a masterful drive to take the Monaco Grand Prix and go top of the Driver’s Championship.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was set to start on pole, but the French driver missed the race after mechanical issues with his car.
Carlos Sainz came in second, while Lando Norris took third with Lewis Hamilton a disappointing seventh.
Follow all the reaction from Monte Carlo in our live blog below…
MONACO KING
Red Bull star Max Verstappen stood tall in Monaco.
So much so, that Formula One’s official page named him the “King of Monaco”
VERSTAPPEN TRIUMPH
Max Verstappen claimed a momentous victory at the Monaco Grand Prix in a dramatic race.
Mercedes endured a disastrous performance at Monte Carlo with Valtteri Bottas retiring and Lewis Hamilton finishing seventh.
But Red Bull enjoyed an incredible afternoon as Verstappen inherited pole position after Charles Leclerc was cruelly forced out of his home race.
The Dutchman then masterfully controlled proceedings to take his maiden win around the legendary set up
GETTY IMAGES MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
The Dutchman leads the championship for the first time.
Carlos Sainz is second. Lando Norris is third. Lewis Hamilton is seventh.
FIVE LAPS TO GO
Verstappen has this in the bag. He would be leading the drivers’ championship if he wins this race.
HAMILTON SETS THE FASTEST LAP
A new track record for Monaco too. That should get him the extra bonus point.
LAP 68
Hamilton has a free pitstop for fresh tyres. He is going for the bonus point for setting the fastest lap.
NORRIS UNDER PRESSURE
He is being pressed by Perez. The McLaren man needs to hold on for a sensational podium.
STROLL UNDER INVESTIGATION
For failing to keep to the right of the pitlane. He could be in for a penalty here but is 13 seconds ahead of Ocon.
LAP 60
Stroll pits from eighth place and keeps his position. He started 13th in the race.
His teammate Vettel is in fifth, overcutting Gasly and Hamilton.
LAP 55
Verstappen, Sainz, Norris, Perez, Vettel, Gasly, Hamilton
LAP 52
Big one at McLaren as Lando Norris laps teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
Things just have not worked out for the Australian at the Woking team.
SAINZ IN SECOND PLACE
LAP 43
Vettel’s resurgent form has seen him climb up to fifth. He could be on for his first points of the season.
WOW WHAT A DISASTER FOR MERCEDES
Lap 30 they made a cock up by calling in Hamilton too early. The strategy means he never got past Gasly and was leapfrogged by Perez.
Lap 31 Bottas stops and his front right tyre is stuck on. The thread on the tyre has been machined off. He has been forced to retire from the race.
BOTTAS IS STUCK IN THE PITS
A problem with the front right wheel and his tyres is stuck on the car. It will not come off! He is OUT
LAP 30
Hamilton pits for tyres. He’s gone first to try and get a move past Gasly and up to fifth.
LAP 24
Verstappen leads Bottas by 1.133 seconds. Then Sainz 1.213 behind the Finn.
NORRIS ALSO WARNED BY THE STEWARDS
He too has been shown the black and white flag for track limits violations. Another would get him a time penalty too.
MAZEPIN IN TROUBLE WITH THE STEWARDS
The Haas man has been shown the black and white flag for exceeding track limits at the chicane – Turn 10 – three times already. Next one will be a 5 second penalty.
LAP 8
Hamilton is in sixth behind Gasly. He is unable to get past the AlphaTauri man, who is doing a fine job.
GO GO GO – GREEN LIGHT AT THE MONACO GP
Verstappen gets wheelspin and and has to move across to block Bottas. The Dutchman holds position and Bottas remains in second place, but has to stamp on the brakes into turn one and locks up.
Carlos Sainz in third, Lando Norris in fourth, Pierre Gasly in fifth. Lewis Hamilton in sixth.
FORMATION LAP
No Leclerc at the start, so a big advantage to Valtteri Bottas, who will start in P3 and on the cleaner side of the grid. And he has no car in front of him.
LECLERC IS OUT
Ferrari confirm he will not start his home grand prix. The Italian team say there is a problem with the left driveshaft which cannot be replaced in time.
It means the P1 grid slot will remain empty. Max Verstappen will start at the front from the P2 spot.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
