Formula 1 Monaco GP 2023 Highlights: Max Verstappen wins, Fernando Alonso in podium

Welcome to the live blog of the Formula 1 (F1) Monaco Grand Prix. Catch the Monaco GP 2023 Race Live! Wait for 30 seconds for the full page to load.

Defending Formula 1 World Champion and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen will start the Monaco GP 2023 from pole position after pipping Aston Martin rival Fernando Alonso by 8.084 seconds in qualifying to take P1. Alonso, who was eyeing a first pole position since 2012, will nonetheless start front on the grid after finishing second followed by home favourite Charles Leclerc of Ferrari.

Alpine's Esteban Ocon is fourth ahead of Ferrari's Carlos Sainz. Lewis Hamilton recovered well from his accident in the final practice and patchy Q1 and Q2 phases to take sixth spot, two places ahead of teammate George Russell in the other Mercedes.

Shockingly, Sergio Perez, Monaco GP champion last year and winner of Azerbaijan GP and Saudi Arabian GP this season, lost control of his Red Bull and smashed into the barriers forcing out the safety car and a delay in proceedings.

Monaco GP 2023 unfolds

Just a week after the cancellation of the Imola GP 2023, Formula 1 is once again back in action with the Monaco GP 2023 after almost two weeks, this time around the streets of the beautiful city of Monaco. After a brief break due to unforeseen circumstances at the Imola GP, this will be the first of all the F1 races scheduled to take place in and across Europe for the F1 2023 season.

The Monaco GP 2023 will take place on the Circuit de Monaco, a street circuit that winds through the narrow streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine in the Principality of Monaco. It will be one of the seven street circuits for the season which takes place over 78 laps of the 3.337-kilometre.

Known for its history, the circuit has been described by F1 as a ‘street-track spectacular’, with its tight and challenging layout, featuring narrow roads, tight corners, elevation changes, and the famous tunnel section. 

Also, the Monaco GP 2023, will see the saga of a heated Championship race unfold, as the Red Bull teammates Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will fight for crucial points for the top two spots in the Drivers’ World Championships, whereas the Ferrari and Mercedes will also look for a comeback opportunity.

Every F1 driver dreams about winning at least once in the Circuit de Monaco. Alongside an exceptional location of glamour and prestige, it’s also a challenging track to master. The 2.074 miles street circuit has very little room for overtaking, and drivers rely on their finishes mostly from the positions they qualify in on Saturday.