Verstappen wins Monaco GP, takes lead
Sainz Jr, Norris complete podium
MONACO, May 23, (AP): Max Verstappen took the lead in the Formula One championship race for the first time in his career with a dominating victory Sunday at the Monaco Grand Prix, his first win on the vaunted circuit.
Verstappen took control of the race right at the start from the second position, in part because pole sitter Charles Leclerc did not start the race because of a mechanical issue.
Verstappen darted in front of Valtteri Bottas and led start to finish for his second win the season and 12th of his career. The Red Bull driver took a fourpoint lead over seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton in the standings.
“That was master class and you’re leading the championship. Well done, mate,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner radioed to Verstappen as he crossed the finish line.
It is the first time since the German Grand Prix in 2018 that Mercedes has not led the championship. Hamilton finished seventh on an uncharacteristically bad day for the usually reliable Mercedes team.
Bottas retired from the race after a right-front wheel stub axle was
MOTOR RACING
stripped during his pit stop and Mercedes could not remove the tire.
Verstappen sprinted over to his team and jumped into their arms after the race.
“It is so special to win here. Of course I’m very proud,” Verstappen said. “But I’m thinking ahead to the rest of the season.”
He was then greeted by tennis star Serena Williams, who waved the checkered flag and was an honorary guest at the event.
“It’s so special around here to win. It’s my first time on the podium here,” said Verstappen, whose father Jos secured two podiums in 106 F1 races and was seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher’s teammate at Benetton.
“I remember when I was very little, you always want to win this one.”
Verstappen finished 8.9 seconds ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr of Ferrari. Lando Norris scored his third career podium the same week he signed a contract extension with McLaren.
“I don’t know what to say, it’s a dream to be on the podium here,” the 21-year-old British driver said. “I didn’t think it was going to happen. I’ll cherish it.”
Sergio Perez was fourth for Red Bull, which moved back on top of the constructors championship ahead of Mercedes.
Mercedes has won the last seven drivers’ and constructors’ championships, but Sunday marked the first time in five races this season that Hamilton and Verstappen did not finish 1-2.
Sergio Perez was fourth for Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel was fifth for his best finish of the season.
Leclerc’s chances of winning his home race from pole position ended when he pulled off track with a gearbox problem. He crashed with 18 seconds remaining in Saturday qualifying and risked a five-place grid penalty if Ferrari changed his gearbox.