Monte Carlo – Defending champion Max Verstappen won the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix to consolidate his lead in the world championship. The Dutch driver claimed his fourth victory of the year and Red Bull won the sixth race of the season thanks to him.
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Photo gallery: World Championship of Formula 1 cars in the 2023 season
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The two-time world champion won by 28 seconds ahead of 41-year-old Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, who, after four third places and a fourth place, drove to his best result of the season.
“In the end we didn't have a chance, Max drove too much good. Then the rain made it more complicated and I'm honestly surprised that today there was no accident and the safety car didn't have to come out. Everyone did a good job,” said Alonso after the race.
Third was Esteban Ocon from Alpine, who reached the podium for only the third time in his career. In 2021 he won in Hungary, a year earlier the 26-year-old Frenchman was second in the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia. at the right time,” Ocon said. “But I'm mainly enjoying it now, because I haven't been on stage for a long time. So maybe it's the first of many,” he added.
Verstappen started from pole position and for a long time it looked like another smooth victory. But in the 51st lap it started to rain and the 25-year-old Dutchman had to fight a little longer for the triumph.
Thanks to his lead, the wet track was a greater danger than his rivals, but despite several contacts with the barriers, Verstappen was able to win. He was also helped by double world champion Alonso, who had to pit twice in a few laps due to a bad tire choice.
“When you have such a big lead, you don't have to step on it as much, but you don't want to lose the lead. So it wasn't an easy situation,” said Verstappen. “In addition, before the tires warmed up, it was incredibly slippery,” he added.
Verstappen claimed his 39th career triumph and extended his lead over teammate Sergio Pérez to 39 points in the standings. Red Bull's co-pilot finished 16th today and did not score.
Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix results
1. Verstappen (Netherlands/Red Bull) 1:48:51.980, 2. Alonso (Sp./Aston Martin) -27.921, 3. Ocon (Fr./Alpine) -36.990, 4. Hamilton -39.062, 5. Russell (both Brit./Mercedes) -56.284, 6. Leclerc (Mon./Ferrari) -1:01.890.
Fastest lap: Hamilton.
Current standings of the WC (after 6 out of 23 races): 1. Verstappen 144, 2. Pérez (Mex./Red Bull) 105, 3. Alonso 93, 4. Hamilton 69, 5. Russell 50, 6. Sainz (Sp./Ferrari) 48.
Constructors' Cup: 1. Red Bull 249, 2. Aston Martin 120, 3. Mercedes 119, 4. Ferrari 90, 5. Alpine 35, 6. McLaren 17, 7. Haas 8, 8. Alfa Romeo 6, 9. AlphaTauri 2, 10. Williams 1 .
