F1 Monaco GP: Max Verstappen Wins Exciting Wet-Dry Monaco Race, Extends Championship Lead

Even though the rain made things exciting, the top three drivers on the starting grid finished in the same order as they did when the race began, and Max Verstappen took home the victory in the Monaco Grand Prix. By switching to intermediate tyres one lap after pitting for slicks, Fernando Alonso was able to maintain second place ahead of his former teammate Esteban Ocon. Since Verstappen was on medium tyres and Alonso was on hards, the former had a stronger start and was able to cover Alpine driver Esteban Ocon. For the fourth spot, ahead of Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz held off Lewis Hamilton. Half of the Grand Prix was quite unremarkable, even by Monaco's standards. However, the impending and subsequent rain added excitement to the Grand Prix. Despite severe graining, Verstappen was able to use the medium tyres for almost 50 laps after starting on them. 

Also Read: Lewis Hamilton: Not Going to Ferrari as New Mercedes Deal on the Way

F1 Monaco GP: Race Result

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished fourth and fifth for Mercedes' updated W14s, with the latter's five-second time penalty for slamming into Sergio Perez when he re-joined the track following an off-track excursion in the slippery conditions having no bearing on his placing.

Following the other Alpine of Pierre Gasly and teammate Carlos Sainz, home favourite Charles Leclerc finished sixth after receiving a three-place grid penalty for obstructing Lando Norris in qualifying.

Also Read: F1: Yuki Tsunoda to Aston Martin? Honda Hints at Japanese Driver's Potential 2026 Move

F1 Monaco GP: DRIVER OF THE DAY

After holding off Mercedes and Ferraris in the Monaco Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon earned the first podium of the Formula 1 2023 season for both himself and Alpine. Lewis Hamilton attacked Ocon during the rain-delayed portion of the race because the Mercedes pair had undercut the Ferraris, but the Frenchman resisted and managed to maintain a podium finish. He was named driver of the day for his performance. 

Following Charles Leclerc's post-qualifying penalty, Ocon started in third position and maintained it by outpacing teammate Pierre Gasly, two Ferraris, and two Mercedes. Early on, he avoided contact with Carlos Sainz, and once the Ferrari danger subsided, he fended off a late challenge from Lewis Hamilton to maintain the final podium spot.

Ocon said in a post-race talk that the Alpine team pitted him on the "perfect lap" that allowed him to maintain third position in challenging circumstances.