MAX VERSTAPPEN produced a masterful drive to take the Monaco Grand Prix and go top of the Driver's Championship.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was set to start on pole, but the French driver missed the race after mechanical issues with his car.
Carlos Sainz came in second, while Lando Norris took third with Lewis Hamilton a disappointing seventh.
Follow all the reaction from Monte Carlo in our live blog below…
- Kostas Lianos
VERSTAPPEN TRIUMPH
Max Verstappen claimed a momentous victory at the Monaco Grand Prix in a dramatic race.
Mercedes endured a disastrous performance at Monte Carlo with Valtteri Bottas retiring and Lewis Hamilton finishing seventh.
But Red Bull enjoyed an incredible afternoon as Verstappen inherited pole position after Charles Leclerc was cruelly forced out of his home race.
The Dutchman then masterfully controlled proceedings to take his maiden win around the legendary set up
GETTY IMAGES - Ben Hunt
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
The Dutchman leads the championship for the first time.
Carlos Sainz is second. Lando Norris is third. Lewis Hamilton is seventh.
- Ben Hunt
FIVE LAPS TO GO
Verstappen has this in the bag. He would be leading the drivers' championship if he wins this race.
- Ben Hunt
HAMILTON SETS THE FASTEST LAP
A new track record for Monaco too. That should get him the extra bonus point.
- Ben Hunt
LAP 68
Hamilton has a free pitstop for fresh tyres. He is going for the bonus point for setting the fastest lap.
- Ben Hunt
NORRIS UNDER PRESSURE
He is being pressed by Perez. The McLaren man needs to hold on for a sensational podium.
- Ben Hunt
STROLL UNDER INVESTIGATION
For failing to keep to the right of the pitlane. He could be in for a penalty here but is 13 seconds ahead of Ocon.
- Ben Hunt
LAP 60
Stroll pits from eighth place and keeps his position.He started 13th in the race.
His teammate Vettel is in fifth, overcutting Gasly and Hamilton.
- Ben Hunt
LAP 55
Verstappen, Sainz, Norris, Perez, Vettel, Gasly, Hamilton
- Ben Hunt
LAP 52
Big one at McLaren as Lando Norris laps teammate Daniel Ricciardo.
Things just have not worked out for the Australian at the Woking team.
- Ben Hunt
SAINZ IN SECOND PLACE
- Ben Hunt
LAP 43
Vettel's resurgent form has seen him climb up to fifth. He could be on for his first points of the season.
- Ben Hunt
WOW WHAT A DISASTER FOR MERCEDES
Lap 30 they made a cock up by calling in Hamilton too early. The strategy means he never got past Gasly and was leapfrogged by Perez.
Lap 31 Bottas stops and his front right tyre is stuck on. The thread on the tyre has been machined off. He has been forced to retire from the race.
- Ben Hunt
BOTTAS IS STUCK IN THE PITS
A problem with the front right wheel and his tyres is stuck on the car. It will not come off! He is OUT
- Ben Hunt
LAP 30
Hamilton pits for tyres. He's gone first to try and get a move past Gasly and up to fifth.
- Ben Hunt
LAP 24
Verstappen leads Bottas by 1.133 seconds. Then Sainz 1.213 behind the Finn.
- Ben Hunt
NORRIS ALSO WARNED BY THE STEWARDS
He too has been shown the black and white flag for track limits violations. Another would get him a time penalty too.
- Ben Hunt
LAP 17
- Ben Hunt
LAP 14
- Ben Hunt
MAZEPIN IN TROUBLE WITH THE STEWARDS
The Haas man has been shown the black and white flag for exceeding track limits at the chicane – Turn 10 – three times already. Next one will be a 5 second penalty.
- Ben Hunt
LAP 8
Hamilton is in sixth behind Gasly. He is unable to get past the AlphaTauri man, who is doing a fine job.
- Ben Hunt
GO GO GO – GREEN LIGHT AT THE MONACO GP
Verstappen gets wheelspin and and has to move across to block Bottas. The Dutchman holds position and Bottas remains in second place, but has to stamp on the brakes into turn one and locks up.
Carlos Sainz in third, Lando Norris in fourth, Pierre Gasly in fifth. Lewis Hamilton in sixth.
- Ben Hunt
FORMATION LAP
No Leclerc at the start, so a big advantage to Valtteri Bottas, who will start in P3 and on the cleaner side of the grid. And he has no car in front of him.
- Ben Hunt
LECLERC IS OUT
Ferrari confirm he will not start his home grand prix. The Italian team say there is a problem with the left driveshaft which cannot be replaced in time.
It means the P1 grid slot will remain empty. Max Verstappen will start at thefront from the P2 spot.
- Ben Hunt
LECLERC IS GUTTED
He is out of the car with 20 minutes to go until the start of the race.
The Monaco-born racer was told by his Ferrari team earlier that there was no sign of any damage to his car, despite his crash in qualifying.
He said this has been an unlucky track for him in the past, well, it is proving to be his nemesis.
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