F1 Monaco Grand Prix RESULT: Race standings as Max Verstappen wins in the rain

Max Verstappen survived a rain shower and the looming threat of Fernando Alonso to secure an impressive victory at a one-sided Monaco Grand Prix.

Verstappen, who beat Alonso to pole position by just 0.084 seconds, kept his cool in the slippery conditions to lead Sunday’s 78-lap race, which lasted nearly two hours from start to finish, as he secured his fourth win of the season.

Alonso finished 27.9 seconds behind the Red Bull driver with Esteban Ocon third for Alpine, as the Frenchman claimed only the third podium of his career.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell took advantage of the rain to cross the line in fourth and fifth respectively for Mercedes. Sergio Perez started last after he crashed out of qualifying and finished 16th following a terrible race for the Mexican driver which included five pit stops.

Follow reaction updates from the Monaco Grand Prix with The Independent.

F1 MONACO GRAND PRIX

• Max Verstappen wins the Monaco Grand Prix; Alonso 2nd; Ocon 3rd

• Click HERE for the top-10

• RACE REPORT: Max Verstappen defies rain and Fernando Alonso to win Monaco Grand Prix

• RAIN! Chaos towards end of race (Lap 52/78)

• LIGHTS OUT! Verstappen gets away cleanly in the lead

• Verstappen started on pole after a thrilling qualifying

• Lewis Hamilton made a joyous revelation after qualifying in Monaco

• COMMENT: Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it?

Max Verstappen defies rain and Fernando Alonso to win Monaco Grand Prix

Sunday 28 May 2023 17:00 , Kieran Jackson

Race report:

Max Verstappen survived a rain shower and the looming threat of Fernando Alonso to secure an impressive victory at a one-sided Monaco Grand Prix.

Verstappen, who beat Alonso to pole position by just 0.084 seconds, kept his cool in the slippery conditions to lead Sunday’s 78-lap race, which lasted nearly two hours from start to finish, as he secured his fourth win of the season.

Alonso finished 27.9 seconds behind the Red Bull driver with Esteban Ocon third for Alpine, as the Frenchman claimed only the third podium of his career.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell took advantage of the rain to cross the line in fourth and fifth respectively for Mercedes.

Sergio Perez started last after he crashed out of qualifying and finished 16th following a terrible race for the Mexican driver which included five pit stops.

Max Verstappen defies rain and Fernando Alonso to win Monaco Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso’s fifth podium in six races

Sunday 28 May 2023 16:44 , Kieran Jackson

And this time it’s not third for the Spaniard... it’s second!

Yet his wait for a 33rd win goes on!

Time for the podium!

Sunday 28 May 2023 16:22 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen up top once again in Monaco!

Esteban Ocon, after finishing third:

Sunday 28 May 2023 16:16 , Kieran Jackson

“Estie bestie is on the podium baby! We’ve done it. Super weekend from everyone at the team. We improved the car from the beginning to the end, we didn’t make a wrong foot. Inters was perfect timing, been a while since I’ve been on the podium - hope this is the first of many!”

Fernando Alonso, after coming home second:

Sunday 28 May 2023 16:10 , Kieran Jackson

“We played a long game with the strategy, Max drove super well on the medium tyres. The rain complicated things, not easy to drive around.

“I was surprise with no safety cars, everyone did well to keep the cars on track.”

Max Verstappen, after finishing P1:

Sunday 28 May 2023 16:04 , Kieran Jackson

“It was very tricky to drive. We had to make the call to go on inters. Quite difficult in that scenario, hit the walls a few times, super difficult out there - that’s Monaco.

“It’s super nice to win it in the way we did, with the weather. A lot of points.”

Max Verstappen after winning in Monaco:

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:58 , Kieran Jackson

“Very lovely that. Difficult there in the wet but quite enjoyable too. Thank you guys, pretty well executed race.

“That was a long one!”

Top-10 in Monaco:

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:54 , Kieran Jackson

1-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Gasly, Sainz, Norris, Piastri

Max Verstappen wins the Monaco Grand Prix!

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:53 , Kieran Jackson

The flying Dutchman wins for the second time in Monaco!

That incredible qualifying lap yesterday set it up - and he’s been efficient and supreme once again on Sunday!

Brilliant work for Fernando Alonso too in the Aston Martin, he’s second!

And a brilliant podium for Alpine’s Esteban Ocon!

Max Verstappen starts his final lap (Lap 78/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:51 , Kieran Jackson

One more lap for the championship leader.

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Gasly, Sainz, Norris, Piastri

Kevin Magnussen retires (Lap 77/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:50 , Kieran Jackson

His car is in the pits, but it’s race up for the Haas. Second man to call it a day.

Two laps left; Max Verstappen has a 28-second lead.

Sergio Perez pits from wets to inters (Lap 73/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:46 , Kieran Jackson

Bit of a nightmare weekend for last year’s winner as he pits for the FIFTH time, onto intermediates!

And he’s just been lapped for the second time by his team-mate and race leader Max Verstappen! Humiliating a bit!

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Gasly, Sainz, Norris, Piastri

Top-10 looks fairly set now, though Hamilton is closing on Ocon. Not quick enough for a podium, though.

Five laps to go...

Esteban Ocon on for a podium at the moment (Lap 68/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:39 , Kieran Jackson

Esteban Ocon is two seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton in fourth, with George Russell one second further down.

Gap from Russell to Leclerc? Eight seconds. Russell will get five seconds added onto his time at the end for that penalty.

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Gasly, Sainz, Norris, Piastri

Both McLarens have overtaken Yuki Tsunoda in the last lap - and then he goes into the escape road in sector 1!

Max Verstappen’s lead now 18.5 seconds (Lap 62/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:29 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen sliding about in his Red Bull, and has a healthy lead out in front.

Lance Stroll, meanwhile, has retired - the first retirement today!

But what can his Aston Martin team-mate do in second?

Rain set to stop in two minutes...

George Russell has a five-second time penalty (Lap 59/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:25 , Kieran Jackson

Russell gets a penalty for an unsafe release on the track, with Sergio Perez colliding on track!

He’s currently in fifth, 6.2 secs clear of Leclerc.

A few cars still going off, too. Kevin Magnussen and Logan Sargeant two of them!

Carnage in Monaco!!

Fernando Alonso under pressure in second now (Lap 58/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:21 , Kieran Jackson

Esteban Ocon’s gap to Fernando Alonso is 4.8 seconds.

Re-jigged top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Hamilton, Russell, Leclerc, Gasly, Sainz, Tsunoda, Piastri

Piastri has taken the last points place ahead of his team-mate Norris!

Fernando Alonso pits again (Lap 57/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:20 , Kieran Jackson

Wrong call from Aston Martin! Alonso pits again, this time for intermediates!

He’s now 22 seconds down on Max Verstappen out in front!

The rain has worked well for Mercedes - Lewis Hamilton and George Russell now fourth and fifth respectively, with Leclerc sixth and Sainz eighth! Not good for Ferrari!

19 drivers on inters now - only Kevin Magnussen on hards now! He’ll be switching soon...

Carlos Sainz has gone off! (Lap 55/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:16 , Kieran Jackson

Sainz has gone off! He’s lost a place to Leclerc!

Max Verstappen pits! And he switches to inters!

Has Fernando Alonso made the wrong choice?!

Fernando Alonso pits (Lap 55/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:15 , Kieran Jackson

Alonso is in the pits, but its still slicks! Not inters or wets!

The rain is staying in just a few corners on the track!

When will Verstappen pit?

Cars slipping and sliding now (Lap 53/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:13 , Kieran Jackson

Some drama here! Rain is falling, slightly heavier.

Lance Stroll and Valtteri Bottas go early, switching to intermediates.

Cars tip-toeing around the track now!

Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon going wheel-to-wheel, but the Alpine just stays ahead!

George Russell informing of rain (Lap 52/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:11 , Kieran Jackson

A few drops now starting to appear - what will this do to the race?!

George Russell complaining of rain in turn 3.

Who will blink first out of Max Verstappen and George Russell?

Here’s Sainz’s moment of anger after his pit stop:

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:07 , Kieran Jackson

Pierre Gasly pits (Lap 48/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:06 , Kieran Jackson

The Alpine man comes out behind Charles Leclerc, in eighth place.

George Russell now third. Few pockets of rain near the track... is he holding out for some drops?

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Russell, Ocon, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Gasly, Tsunoda, Norris

Charles Leclerc pits (Lap 45/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:02 , Kieran Jackson

A rapid 2.2 second stop from Ferrari - he comes out in eighth, behind Ocon, Sainz and Hamilton.

Pierre Gasly now, technically, in third place!

As for rain? Potentially in 15 minutes according to the Aston Martin pit wall.

Max Verstappen now 10 seconds clear (Lap 43/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 15:01 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen doing brilliantly to eek out as much lap time as possible, stretching the lead back up to double digits.

“I don’t know I can keep this up for,” he says.

Charles Leclerc 22 seconds down on Fernando Alonso.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, has just set the fastest lap in eighth.

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Leclerc, Gasly, Russell, Ocon (pitted), Sainz (pitted), Hamilton (pitted), Tsunoda, Norris

Sergio Perez forced to pit (Lap 36/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:51 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez has to change his front wing! That’s wrecked his plan!

A 11-second stop - and he’s out in P19.

Back to the drawing board for the Mexican...

Carlos Sainz, meanwhile, not happy with pitting. He wanted to clear Esteban Ocon, while the pit wall tell him it was about covering Lewis Hamilton.

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Leclerc, Gasly, Russell, Ocon, Sainz, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Norris

Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz pit (Lap 34/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:49 , Kieran Jackson

Esteban Ocon out in sixth, Carlos Sainz in seventh.

Lewis Hamilton in eighth.

Max Verstappen now really complaining about his tyres, but Red Bull don’t want to pit him right now.

At the back of the field, Sergio Perez has been in a few incidents with Lance Stroll coming out of the tunnel! Stroll still ahead of Perez...

Lewis Hamilton pits (Lap 32/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:45 , Kieran Jackson

A 3 second stop for the Mercedes man - he comes out in P8, with a nice gap too!

Leclerc told to push.

Max Verstappen, meanwhile, due to tyre degradation and traffic, is losing time - Fernando Alonso has reduced the gap to six seconds!

Max Verstappen complaining about his front-left tyre (Lap 30/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:42 , Kieran Jackson

A few drivers complaining of degradation on the tyres now.

“That front left really isn’t pretty,” says Max Verstappen, who is catching a big DRS train now at the back of the field!

Who will blink first and pit?

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Gasly, Russell, Tsunoda, Norris

Oscar Piastri, incidentally, is the man in P11 behind his McLaren team-mate...

Max Verstappen coasting out in front (Lap 28/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:39 , Kieran Jackson

Bit of a pit stop game now.

Max Verstappen 11 seconds clear of Fernando Alonso, who is 17 seconds clear of Esteban Ocon.

Top-10 has remained the same, who will pit first?

There is talk of RAIN as well, in about 45 minutes according to the Ferrari pit wall....

Charles Leclerc right on Lewis Hamilton’s tail (Lap 24/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:34 , Kieran Jackson

The Ferrari of Charles Leclerc on the rear-wing of Lewis Hamilton ahead of him in fifth, but - as is the case in Monaco - an overtake looking tricky.

At the back of the field, Logan Sargeant has been passed a few times - he’s down to 20th after a pit stop.

Sergio Perez? 16th currently. He does hold the fastest lap, but would need to be in the top-10 to receive that extra point.

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Gasly, Russell, Tsunoda, Norris

Max Verstappen now seven seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso (Lap 17/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:27 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen a good chunk clear of Fernando Alonso - and almost a pit-stop clear of Esteban Ocon in third, 21 seconds!

Two races now, really.

Carlos Sainz receives a black-and-white flag for driving standards - any more poor moves and he will be penalised!

Fernando Alonso is worried about a puncture (Lap 14/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:23 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso asks about a puncture, but is reassured over team radio.

Did he run over Sainz’s debris?

His last lap a full second down on Max Verstappen!

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Gasly, Russell, Tsunoda, Norris

Carlos Sainz doesn’t pit (Lap 13/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:20 , Kieran Jackson

Sainz’s end-plate comes off his Ferrari - and he carries on!

Will the FIA want to take a look at this? His car seems fine now - but was that an unnecessary risk keeping him out?!

Carlos Sainz sustains damage (Lap 12/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:19 , Kieran Jackson

Nightmare for Carlos Sainz!

He goes for a move on Esteban Ocon down the Nouvelle chicane, but gets it all wrong and has a broken front wing!

But Sainz doesn’t pit! He needs to go in...

No penalty for George Russell (Lap 7/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:14 , Kieran Jackson

Lap 7 - already! - and Max Verstappen has a 2.5 second lead, while Fernando Alonso is already six seconds clear of Esteban Ocon!

Nico Hulkenberg, currently in last, gets a five-second time penalty for a collision with Logan Sargeant.

But a reprieve for George Russell - no further action on that potential wrong position in the grid box!

Top-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Gasly, Russell, Tsunoda, Norris

Max Verstappen leads and is out of DRS range (Lap 3/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:08 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen now over 1 second ahead of Fernando Alonso out in front.

Meanwhile George Russell, in eighth, is under investigation for a potential wrong starting position - that may well be a five-second time penalty!

Sergio Perez pits after the first lap (Lap 2/78)

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:07 , Kieran Jackson

There’s your Sergio Perez strategy straight away: hards on the Red Bull, and he’ll run to the end of the race you’d have thought!

He is up to 18th, with Zhou Guanyu and Nico Hulkenberg also pitting...

Lights out at the Monaco Grand Prix!

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:06 , Kieran Jackson

We’re underway... and Max Verstappen DOES hold position around the first lap!

Fernando Alonso got away slightly quicker but couldn’t get near the Red Bull... but the Aston Martin did manage to heed off Esteban Ocon in third.

The rest of the pack all in order too, though Lance Stroll has a puncture!

Formation lap!

Sunday 28 May 2023 14:02 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen leads the pack around for the formation lap!

Some interesting tyre choices here: mediums for Verstappen, Ocon and Hamilton, the rest of the top-eight on hards. That includes Fernando Alonso, which technically won’t help him coming down into turn 1.

There’s rain around, but not appearing yet...

Monaco Grand Prix incoming!

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:59 , Kieran Jackson

We’re just moments away now from the Monaco Grand Prix!

Can Fernando Alonso steal a march on Max Verstappen down into turn 1?

We’ll soon find out!

The top-10 for the Monaco Grand Prix!

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:57 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Esteban Ocon

4) Carlos Sainz

5) Lewis Hamilton

6) Charles Leclerc*

7) Pierre Gasly

8) George Russell

9) Yuki Tsunoda

10) Lando Norris

*Leclerc received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Lando Norris in qualifying

Full grid below:

F1 grid: Starting positions for Monaco Grand Prix after qualifying

Max Verstappen, who starts on pole:

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:54 , Kieran Jackson

“We have to stay calm. Try and have a good start and do a good job.

“It’s quite hectic the whole weekend, I’m looking forward too once I have my helmet on just getting on with the job.”

Red Bull boss Christian Horner:

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:53 , Kieran Jackson

“Red Bull sandwich. Both have different strategies. It’s trying to be creative on the strategy for Checo.

“Fernando is going to be revved up. Run our own race, it’s all about the firs 500m.”

Charles Leclerc, after P6:

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:50 , Kieran Jackson

“Very difficult to predict anything in Monaco. We need to pick the right strategy, if we have the pace and some free air hopefully we can gain some positions and get on the podium.”

Time for the Monaco national anthem!

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:47 , Kieran Jackson

The chaos on the grid halted for a moment for the national anthem!

Sergio Perez, who starts at the back of the grid:

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:47 , Kieran Jackson

“I will give it all, it’s going to be a difficult race for me to recover. Will do everything I can to minimise the damage.

“Very difficult to get any points today.”

Driver Standings ahead of Monaco:

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:44 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 119 points

2) Sergio Perez - 105 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 75 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 56 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 44 points

6) George Russell - 40 points

7) Charles Leclerc - 34 points

8) Lance Stroll - 27 points

9) Lando Norris - 10 points

10) Pierre Gasly - 8 points

11) Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points

12) Esteban Ocon - 6 points

13) Valtteri Bottas - 4 points

14) Oscar Piastri - 4 points

15) Zhou Guanyu - 2 points

16) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points

17) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points

18) Alex Albon - 1 point

19) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

20) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

Max Verstappen on his way to pole...

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:41 , Kieran Jackson

Toto Wolff unhappy as crane lifts Lewis Hamilton’s stricken car off Monaco track

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:38 , Kieran Jackson

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suggested marshals had turned the Monaco Grand Prix into a circus act following their unusual removal of Lewis Hamilton’s car.

Hamilton crashed out of final practice on Saturday after he lost control of his Mercedes under braking at Mirabeau.

Hamilton’s stricken machine was hoisted high into the air by a crane, allowing photographers to capture the underbelly of the seven-time world champion’s upgraded machine.

Full quotes below:

Wolff fumes as Hamilton’s F1 car floor displayed during removal from Monaco track

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:35 , Kieran Jackson

Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy

Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson

The crown jewel. That’s the accompanying slogan alongside the Monaco Grand Prix: a Formula 1 staple-event identified with the sort-of glitz and glamour we saw last time out in Miami. And will see again in Las Vegas in November. F1’s obsession with the US has given the principality a direct rival or two stateside, to the extent that its long-term viability in the sport if far from a certainty, given the difficulty of overtaking at the track.

But that’s for another day. For now, the famed twists and turns on the shores of the French Riviera still offer the most unique of challenges for the 20 drivers as they return to action for the first time in three weeks. And that distinctiveness should, in theory, give Red Bull their toughest task yet in 2023.

Christian Horner’s team have won all five races so far this season; six if you include the sprint in Azerbaijan. At a canter, too. Yet for a car which reigns supreme on long-straights and in high-speed corners comes a track with few long-straights and a series of low-speed corners.

Monaco GP unpredictability offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy

Yuki Tsunoda, who starts in P9:

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:31 , Kieran Jackson

“Good qualifying. Been a bit of a track reset as usual in Monaco, balance of the car feels quite good.

“Starting in points, max opportunity to score points, should be great!”

Lewis Hamilton makes joyous revelation despite Monaco qualifying result

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:27 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton was joyous after qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, insisting he hadn’t enjoyed the race as much since 2008.

The seven-time world champion, driving a new-look Mercedes this weekend, made an error and crashed towards the end of third practice on Saturday morning.

But his car was repaired in time for a topsy-turvy qualifying session, with the 38-year-old sneaking through the opening two sessions before setting the sixth-fastest time in Q3.

Yet despite the ‘midfield’ result, Hamilton revealed he has been in a “good frame of mind” all weekend and has “loved every second of the track” in the principality so far.

Full quotes below:

Lewis Hamilton makes joyous revelation despite Monaco GP qualifying result

The celebrities out in full force in Monaco!

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:19 , Kieran Jackson

Neymar, Tom Holland, Kylie Minogue and Maria Sharapova among the many celebs in Monaco today!

The top-10 for the Monaco Grand Prix!

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:14 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Esteban Ocon

4) Carlos Sainz

5) Lewis Hamilton

6) Charles Leclerc*

7) Pierre Gasly

8) George Russell

9) Yuki Tsunoda

10) Lando Norris

*Leclerc received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Lando Norris in qualifying

Full grid below:

F1 grid: Starting positions for Monaco Grand Prix after qualifying

Max Verstappen fends off Fernando Alonso to take stunning pole in Monaco

Sunday 28 May 2023 13:06 , Kieran Jackson

Qualifying report:

Max Verstappen saw off Fernando Alonso to take pole position in a scintillating qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Alonso’s Aston Martin mechanics celebrated wildly after it appeared as though the 41-year-old Spaniard had taken his first pole in 11 years.

But Verstappen delivered a mesmerising final sector in Monte Carlo to take top spot with his final throw of the dice, beating Alonso by just 0.084 seconds. Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, one spot ahead of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon with Carlos Sainz fifth.

Max Verstappen fends off Fernando Alonso to take stunning pole in Monaco

Charles Leclerc on his three-place grid penalty:

Sunday 28 May 2023 12:48 , Kieran Jackson

“Unfortauntely I’m used to things here. We need to do the job today, have to reset and I will do my best. Three places lost at the start is hard to recover but I will do my best

Time for the Drivers Parade in Monaco!

Sunday 28 May 2023 12:37 , Kieran Jackson

Driver Standings ahead of Monaco:

Sunday 28 May 2023 12:28 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 119 points

2) Sergio Perez - 105 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 75 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 56 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 44 points

6) George Russell - 40 points

7) Charles Leclerc - 34 points

8) Lance Stroll - 27 points

9) Lando Norris - 10 points

10) Pierre Gasly - 8 points

11) Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points

12) Esteban Ocon - 6 points

13) Valtteri Bottas - 4 points

14) Oscar Piastri - 4 points

15) Zhou Guanyu - 2 points

16) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points

17) Kevin Magnussen - 2 points

18) Alex Albon - 1 point

19) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

20) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

Toto Wolff unhappy as crane lifts Lewis Hamilton’s stricken car off Monaco track

Sunday 28 May 2023 12:14 , Kieran Jackson

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suggested marshals had turned the Monaco Grand Prix into a circus act following their unusual removal of Lewis Hamilton’s car.

Hamilton crashed out of final practice on Saturday after he lost control of his Mercedes under braking at Mirabeau.

Hamilton’s stricken machine was hoisted high into the air by a crane, allowing photographers to capture the underbelly of the seven-time world champion’s upgraded machine.

Full quotes below:

Toto Wolff unhappy as crane lifts Lewis Hamilton’s stricken car off Monaco track

Charles Leclerc given three-place grid penalty

Sunday 28 May 2023 12:01 , Kieran Jackson

This was the reason for Leclerc’s penalty, dropping him from third to sixth.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner:

Sunday 28 May 2023 11:41 , Kieran Jackson

On Verstappen at pole: “When he arrived at the swimming pool he was 0.2 secs down on Fernando, I could see him gaining the time - and he just did it!”

“Elated for Max. Probably the best qualifying lap of his career. For Checo, a mistake in Q1 - I can only think he was distracted by the Alpine on the right. He’ll be kicking himself for that! He just went in too fast.”

On race: “There’s great respect betwen Max and Fernando but they’re similar characters - they’re both hard racers! That first 500m is what’s going to dictate this grand prix!”

Lewis Hamilton makes joyous revelation despite Monaco qualifying result

Sunday 28 May 2023 11:25 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton was joyous after qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, insisting he hadn’t enjoyed the race as much since 2008.

The seven-time world champion, driving a new-look Mercedes this weekend, made an error and crashed towards the end of third practice on Saturday morning.

But his car was repaired in time for a topsy-turvy qualifying session, with the 38-year-old sneaking through the opening two sessions before setting the sixth-fastest time in Q3.

Yet despite the ‘midfield’ result, Hamilton revealed he has been in a “good frame of mind” all weekend and has “loved every second of the track” in the principality so far.

Full quotes below:

Lewis Hamilton makes joyous revelation despite Monaco GP qualifying result

The top-10 for the Monaco Grand Prix!

Sunday 28 May 2023 11:16 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Esteban Ocon

4) Carlos Sainz

5) Lewis Hamilton

6) Charles Leclerc*

7) Pierre Gasly

8) George Russell

9) Yuki Tsunoda

10) Lando Norris

*Leclerc received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Lando Norris in qualifying

Full grid below:

F1 grid: Starting positions for Monaco Grand Prix after qualifying

Max Verstappen fends off Fernando Alonso to take stunning pole in Monaco

Sunday 28 May 2023 11:12 , Kieran Jackson

Race report:

Max Verstappen saw off Fernando Alonso to take pole position in a scintillating qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Alonso’s Aston Martin mechanics celebrated wildly after it appeared as though the 41-year-old Spaniard had taken his first pole in 11 years.

But Verstappen delivered a mesmerising final sector in Monte Carlo to take top spot with his final throw of the dice, beating Alonso by just 0.084 seconds. Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, one spot ahead of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon with Carlos Sainz fifth.

Max Verstappen fends off Fernando Alonso to take stunning pole in Monaco

F1 Monaco Grand Prix

Sunday 28 May 2023 11:09 , Kieran Jackson

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Monaco Grand Prix!

It was the qualifying session of the year so far yesterday, as Max Verstappen sensationally pipped Fernando Alonso for pole right at the death.

Charles Leclerc qualified third, but received a three-place grid drop for impeding Lando Norris. He will start sixth, with Esteban Ocon an impressive third on the grid this afternoon.

Stay right here for all the build-up and live updates - the race starts at 2pm (BST).