MONACO – Max Verstappen took the lead in the Formula 1 championship race for the first time in his career with a dominant win on Sunday at the Monaco Grand Prix, his first win on the vaunted track.
Verstappen took control of the race from second position right from the start, also because the pole sitter Charles Leclerc did not start the race due to a mechanical problem.
Verstappen shot ahead of Valtteri Bottas and led the start to finish for his second win of the season and the 12th of his career. The Red Bull driver took a lead of four points in the overall standings over seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton.
“That was master class and you lead the championship. Well done, buddy, ”said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner to Verstappen as he crossed the finish line.
It is the first time since the German Grand Prix in 2018 that Mercedes has not led the championship. Hamilton finished seventh on an unusually bad day for the normally dependable Mercedes team.
Bottas withdrew from the race after a steering knuckle axle on the right front wheel was stripped off during his pit stop and Mercedes was unable to remove the tire.
Verstappen sprinted to his team and jumped into their arms after the race.
“It’s something special to win here. Of course I’m very proud, ”said Verstappen. “But I think about the rest of the season.”
He was then greeted by tennis star Serena Williams, who waved the checkered flag and was the event’s guest of honor.
“It’s something special here to win. This is my first time on the podium, ”said Verstappen, whose father Jos secured two podiums in 106 F1 races and was the seven-time team-mate of F1 champion Michael Schumacher in Benetton.
“I remember when I was very little you always want to win this one.”
Verstappen finished 8.9 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. Lando Norris made his third career podium in the week he signed a contract extension with McLaren.
“I don’t know what to say, it’s a dream to be on the podium here,” said the 21 year old British driver. “I didn’t think it would happen. I will appreciate it. “
Sergio Perez finished fourth for Red Bull, who moved back to the top of the constructors’ championship ahead of Mercedes.
Mercedes has won the last seven drivers and constructors’ competitions, but on Sunday it was the first time in five races this season that Hamilton and Verstappen didn’t finish 2-1.
Sergio Perez was fourth for Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel was fifth for his best season end.
Leclerc’s chances of winning his home race from pole position ended when he crashed off the track with a transmission problem. He fell 18 seconds ahead in qualifying on Saturday and risked a five-place penalty if Ferrari changed its gearbox.
The team initially said Leclerc was good to drive and the transmission was fine, but Leclerc drove into the garage about 20 minutes before the race. Two years ago, Leclerc retired early in his first season at Ferrari in Monaco.
The race director decided not to bring Verstappen from second to pole and left this space empty to give Bottas more space to overtake inside. He never got a chance when Verstappen fell early on.
The 3.4 kilometer circuit is the hardest to overtake in F1 and Hamilton was stuck in traffic for most of the race. Hamilton scored a bonus point towards the end for the fastest lap, a rare ray of hope on a gloomy day for the defending champion and his team.
Results of the Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday at the Circuit de MonacoMonte Carlo, Monaco. Lap length: 3.00 kilometers (starting position in brackets):
1. (2) Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing, 78 laps, 1: 38: 56.820, 25 points.
2. (4) Carlos Sainz Jr., Spain, Ferrari, 78, +8.968 seconds, 18th
3. (5) Lando Norris, UK, McLaren, 78, +19,427, 15.
4. (9) Sergio Perez, Mexico, Red Bull Racing, 78, +20,490, 12.
5. (8) Sebastian Vettel, Germany, Aston Martin, 78, +52,591, 10.
6. (6) Pierre Gasly, France, Alphatauri, 78, +53,896, 8.
7. (7) Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 78, +1: 08.231, 7.
8. (13) Lance Stroll, Canada, Aston Martin, 77, +1 lap, 4th
9. (11) Esteban Ocon, France, Alpine, 77, +1 lap, 2.
10. (10) Antonio Giovinazzi, Italy, Alfa Romeo Racing, 77, +1 lap, 1.
11. (14) Kimi Raikkonen, Finland, Alfa Romeo Racing, 77, +1 lap.
12. (12) Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, McLaren, 77, +1 lap.
13. (17) Fernando Alonso, Spain, Alpine, 77, +1 lap.
14. (15) George Russell, Great Britain, Williams, 77, +1 lap.
15. (18) Nicholas Latifi, Canada, Williams, 77, +1 lap.
16. (16) Yuki Tsunoda, Japan, Alphatauri, 77, +1 round.
17. (19) Nikita Mazepin, Russia, Haas F1 Team, 75, +3 laps.
18. (20) Mick Schumacher, Germany, Haas F1 Team, 75, +3 laps.
19. (3) Valtteri Bottas, Finland, Mercedes, did not finish, 29.
20. (1) Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, did not start.
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