Formula One was back in action on the iconic and picturesque streets of Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen took his second victory in the principality.
Red Bull might have been a little fearful coming into this weekend as their RB18's strengths are in straight-line speed and fast corners. However, there is no need to worry when the one behind the wheel is Max Verstappen.
The young Dutchman drove a stunner of a qualifying lap on Saturday, leaving the Aston Martin garage with dashed hopes as their driver number 14, Fernando Alonso was on the provisional pole in the last stages of Q3.
On Sunday, Max Verstappen's most dangerous rival was a heavy rain that brought chaos in the second half of the race, threatening to completely shake up the running order. However, Red Bull timed their pitstop well and Aston Martin misjudged theirs, allowing Verstappen to keep the lead and ultimately receive the first-place trophy from Prince Albert.
Fernando Alonso was the first runner-up, with his former teammate Esteban Ocon in third, clenching his first podium of the season.
Prior to the rain shower, it looked to be a strategic battle between the two front runners: Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso who started on the medium and hard tyre respectively. The two drivers quickly pulled away from the pack, leaving Esteban Ocon to maintain his position in a solid third place.
As the rain clouds loomed, Verstappen found himself in a predicament, having to extend his stint on the Medium tyres, much to his frustration. Meanwhile, Aston Martin took a gamble, hoping that the rain would hold off, and switched Alonso to Mediums. Just as luck would have it, the rain arrived, creating treacherous conditions on the circuit.
Verstappen, unfortunately, made a mistake at Portier, colliding with the barrier. Miraculously, he managed to continue and made his way back to the pits for a well-needed tyre change to Intermediates. He then grazed the barrier at the Swimming Pool section. Nevertheless, the championship leader remained unruffled from that point onwards, crossing the finish line with a commanding lead of over 25 seconds ahead of Alonso.
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