The 2023 Monaco Grand Prix weekend culminated in a race to remember.
A dominant Max Verstappen stormed to another win in Monaco, holding on to first place in all 78 laps of the race having started it in pole position. The flying Dutchman managed to get away from the rest of the grid in the first few laps, leaving Fernando Alonso behind in second place with no way of catching up to the rapid Red Bull.
In the end, Aston Martin’s Alonso settled for second place on the podium, while Alpine’s Esteban Ocon crossed the chequered line in third place to become the first Frenchman on the Principality’s podium since Olivier Panis’ GP winning drive back in 1996.
Home hero Charles Leclerc would have more than likely stood on the podium himself had he started the race in P3, but the Monegasque was penalised for impeding McLaren rival Lando Norris in Saturday’s Qualifying session and subsequently started the race in P6 serving a three place penalty. Leclerc started the race in sixth place and finished it in the same position after a surprisingly eventful race.
Finishing ahead of Leclerc were Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in fourth and fifth places respectively, despite a slightly surprising mid-race downpour that added all the drama. Chaos ensued as the heavens opened ahead of schedule, leaving half the grid out on track without the tyres needed to stick on the road and not into the barriers, as was the case for Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll who had to walk the rest of the way back to the pits.
Racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart watched the race from the Monaco Yacht Club and told NEWS.MC that the best driver had won.
“It was a good race and Verstappen won because he was the best driver in the dry and the wet,” he said.
This year’s edition of the Monaco GP confirmed that the age old race is still very capable of delivering thrills and entertainment, and is certainly deserving of a place in the Formula 1 calendar for years to come.
Formula One F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 28, 2023 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after the race REUTERS/Stephane Mahe