Formula 1, Monaco Grand Prix, LIVE: Verstappen defended his first place at the start with accidents

8th round. Verstappen commands the track. The Dutchman laps first, almost two and a half seconds ahead of Alonso. Ocon, third, almost 10 behind the leader. Behind, Sainz, Hamilton and Leclerc, with no changes among the first. Pérez is still fighting for 17th place, but with the lap record in his possession and a very good pace.

Russell walks out of the penalty. After inquiring about his whereabouts at the start, the stewards decide there was no infringement. The one from Mercedes is eighth, the same position in which he started.

Lap 7. Hulkenberg received a 5 second penalty for contact with Sageant on the first lap.

5th round. Pérez, who hoped to hold out on the hard tires for the remainder of the test without making another stop, set the lap record, 1m16s535, despite still being 18th, putting Stroll under pressure for 17th place.

The stewards advise that they are investigating a starting accident involving Russell: “Incorrect starting position”.

2nd round. Pérez returns to the pits. The Mexican, who started from the back row following Saturday’s accident, stopped to change tyres. He had started with medium tires and put on hard components to attempt a comeback. I’m already 18th.

The race has begun! Verstappen, stopped at the start, defended the pole position very well and is the first leader of the Monegasque event. With no changes in the top five, the Dutchman is escorted by Alonso, Ocon, Sainz and Hamilton,

The previous round begins. In the top ten there are different tire strategies. While Verstappen, on pole, Ocon, Hamilton (fifth), Tsunoda and Norris chose medium tires for the start; Alonso, Sainz, Leclerc, Gasly and Russell will come out with the hard components.

Nothing before the start of the race, the sky filled with clouds. Even if the weather forecast indicates that the rain may not reach the track.

The clock is counting down. The drivers adjust the final details and settle into their cars, already on the starting grid. It will be a 78-lap test on the 3,337-metre long circuit.

The official opening ceremony of the race is already underway in Monaco, with all the drivers in attendance. A few minutes before the start of the test, the temperature in the Principality hovered around 26°C, a few degrees lower than in Saturday’s qualifying. On the track, the thermometer marks almost 47°. The forecasts indicate the possibility of rain, which could appear by averaging the competition.

Alonso’s occasion, one of the public’s favorites

The Spaniard regretted the opportunity he had missed in this qualifying but was optimistic about his chances in the race.
​“Pole means a lot here, but Max was a little faster today. We will have to work on the strategy for tomorrow. If we start well, maybe we have a chance.”he was excited.

Leclerc and his curse in Monaco: a sanction that was not for him

On the track, the Monegasque from Ferrari, who could never have won this competition, had set the third fastest time in qualifying.
​

The local driver, who had just taken pole position in the last two editions of ‘his’ road race, however received some hard news a few hours before the end of qualifying.
On Sunday the stewards decided to penalize him with three positions on the starting grid for hurting Lando Norris during Q3. AS, will start sixth.

The accident of Checo Pérez

It was a day of contrasts for Red Bull, as their other driver, the Mexican Pérez, suffered a serious crash during Q1 and has to start from last place.

Verstappen, for the first time from pole position in Monaco

The Dutchman, current two-time champion and leader of the World Drivers’ Championship, will start at the front of the grid after setting the fastest time in a dramatic standings at Saturday’s Monaco Grand Prix.
It is the first time he has taken pole position and is aiming for the second win of his career on the most glamorous street circuit of the season.

Welcome to the continuation of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix!