Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won F1’s showcase Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday to lead the world championship for the first time in his career.
The 23-year-old Dutch driver started the day 14 points behind Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and ended it four clear. Hamilton finished seventh, with an extra point for the fastest lap.
“It’s so special around here to win and, also for me, the first time on the podium here. An amazing race,” said Verstappen, who had everything under control from start to finish.
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz finished second. Teammate Charles Leclerc, who had secured pole position after crashing in qualifying, was ruled out before the start with a driveshaft problem. Lando Norris of McLaren held off Red Bull’s Sergio Perez to complete the top three.
The victory was Verstappen’s second of the season and also his first podium finish here. He now has 105 points to Hamilton’s 101, with Norris moving up to third on 56.
Red Bull celebrated a breakthrough weekend, going top of the constructors’ standings by a single point.
Hamilton fumed after an early pitstop strategy backfired while Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas retired from second place when mechanics were unable to remove the right front wheel.
