One of the most iconic events of the sporting calendar takes place today as Formula One races around the streets of Monaco. Max Verstappen is on pole position as he looks to continue his march towards a third F1 world title in a row, aided by his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez crashing out in qualifying.
Fernando Alonso will be right on the Dutchman’s tail off the line however after putting his Aston Martin second on the grid, ahead of Esteban Ocon after some surpising pace from the Alpine over the weekend so far. Charles Leclerc starts sixth after a three-place grid penalty.
There is a slight chance of rain this afternoon to shake up what already promises to be a fascinating race, although overtaking has always been a tricky one around these narrow streets. Follow the Monaco Grand Prix live via Standard Sport’s race blog, featuring expert analysis from Matt Majendie in the principality.
Live updates
Matt Majendie in Monaco
Well, it looks like Alonso’s hopes for a race victory will have to wait. Well, he’s waited a decade already so what’s another weekend.
His teammate Lance Stroll nearly did him a favour by crashing and potentially bringing out the safety car but managed to pull a safe spot to pull over.
Racing continues as normal with Alonso 21 seconds clear. What a howler by Aston Martin with regards to those tyre choices.
Magnussen in the wall!
No safety car though as the Haas hits the wall at La Rascasse just before reaching the pits for full Wet tyres. He’ll need a new front wing, too.
Lap 58/78
Verstappen has a 22-second lead on Alonso after that mad decision to pit the Spaniard for Hards just as the rain hit.
Lap 57/78
Ferrari double-stack their drivers for Intermediates and Leclerc comes out sixth, Sainz eighth with Gasly in between them!
That means Mercedes benefit, Hamilton now fourth right behind Ocon and Russel fifth about ten seconds back.
Lap 56/78
Sainz spins off but keeps it rolling at Mirabeau!
The rain is far too hard for the slicks to manage.
Verstappen pits for Intermediates and Alonso is back in to pit AGAIN.
Lap 55/78
Alonso pits for SLICKS! Medium tyres bolted onto the Aston Martin, with the team having seen Stroll’s times on Inters and deciding it’s not worth it.
Hamilton, Russell and Ocon pit for inters straight after!
Lap 54/78
Verstappen tells team radio he’s having to drive “super slow” with his tyres shot anyway.
Red Bull say it may have to be “survival” around Mirabeau for now.
Lap 53/78
IT’S RAINING FOR REAL NOW!
Sainz has to go off track in a near-miss with Ocon, handing his place back.
Stroll and Bottas pit for Intermediates from the back of the pack, and Russell may be about to join them from third place. Mirabeau is really wet.
Lap 51/78
Spots of rain reported at a couple of points of the track. Let’s see if it develops into anything that could encourage a change of tyres, which we’re still some way off at this moment in time.
Matt Majendie in Monaco
The racing’s not exactly enthralling but this Pirelli tyre game of chess between Verstappen and Alonso is interesting.
The threat of rain means neither man is willing to pit just yet in case a shower or two comes down and they need to pit again. That rain’s only a few kilometres away albeit in small pockets.
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