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Writer's pictureJames Townley

2023 Monaco Grand Prix Race Report

A dominant win once again for Max Verstappen, another podium for Fernando Alonso, a podium for Alpine's Esteban Ocon, wrong timing for Ferrari as rain chaos re-energises the race.



Max surpasses Sebastian!


Max Verstappen took his 39th win of his career after winning the Monaco Grand Prix which also saw the Dutchman surpass Sebastian Vettel's win tally of 38 wins with the Red Bull team. Verstappen led Alonso into turn 1 and never left as he pulled out an advantage so large he had a pit-stop in hand on P4 Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari by lap 16.


When the rain arrived, Verstappen clipped the wall a few times as did others but luckily for Max, he caused no damage to his car. Verstappen managed to stay on his mediums until lap 55 when he pitted for the intermediate tyres.


Is the Championship Battle over?


Sergio Perez was still within reach of his teammate going into the Monaco Grand Prix weekend as he was just 14 points off his teammate. However, Perez crashed in Q1 resulting in him starting last for the race. Perez's race wasn't much better as he finished 16th and was lapped twice by his teammate.


Did Aston Martin throw away a Win?


Alonso came home second for the first time this season but did Aston Martin throw away the win? As the rain poured, everyone pitted for inters except Alonso who appeared on the medium tyre. After realising they were wrong, they pitted a second time for inters and then found themselves 20 seconds behind Verstappen in the lead. It was believed to have been a miscommunication but it may have cost Alonso a chance at the win.


Ocon on the Podium Again!


Esteban Ocon was back on the podium for the first time since Hungary 2021 where he took his first and so far only win in Formula 1.


Mercedes' Gain is Ferrari's loss


Hamilton found himself in a Ferrari sandwich for the majority of the race before the rain and Russell was behind Leclerc. When the rain arrived, Sainz spun and Leclerc was also struggling and to make matters worse, Ferrari decided to double stack their 2 drivers. Once all the chaos had settled down, Mercedes found their 2 drivers P4 and P5 and Ferrari found their drivers P6 and P8.


Stroll playing Bumper Cars!


Lance Stroll had a messy race as he hit the back of Hulkenberg on lap 1, collided with Perez with no damage on lap 34, hit the back of Magnussen on lap 37 and when the rain came he hit the wall twice as well as going off at the escape road which finished the Canadians race off.


DRIVER OF THE DAY: ESTEBAN OCON

MY DRIVER OF THE DAY:

GRAND PRIX RATING: 7/10


TOP 10 CLASSIFICATION:

1. M.VERSTAPPEN

2. F.ALONSO

3. E.OCON

4. L.HAMILTON (FL)

5. G.RUSSELL

6. C.LECLERC

7. P.GASLY

8. C.SAINZ

9. L.NORRIS

10. O.PIASTRI

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