Track Torque: Glitz and glamour for Ferrari in Monaco
The gap on the leaders has closed a little bit.
Charles Leclerc paced himself perfectly at the Monaco Grand Prix to win the race comfortably, this after taking pole position in qualifying.
It was joy all around as Leclerc lives in the principality. It was also a welcome comeback for Ferrari, with both cars on the podium thanks to Carlos Sainz in third place.
Oscar Piastri finished in second place, with his McLaren teammate Lando Norris in fourth place.
It is a pity that the narrowness of the track and the short lengths of most straights do not allow overtaking, but the spectacle and huge challenge that Monaco is, still make it a great achievement.
George Russell, in his Mercedes, came home fifth and try as he may, Max Verstappen could not get past the three-pointed star.
With his Red Bull Honda, Verstappen was fast in qualifying, but after hitting the wall in an all-out attempt for pole, messed up his chances and ended up only taking sixth position in qualifying.
Sergio Perez was very unlucky to lose all but one wheel in his first lap incident with Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen.
Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes, finished seventh, followed by Yuki Tsonda in eighth in the RB Honda.
Alex Albon performed well to bring his Mercedes home in ninth place.
Pierre Gasly, in the surviving Alpine Renault, claimed tenth spot and the final point after a very good drive.
Fernando Alonso and teammate Lance Stroll finished outside the points while Daniel Ricciardo, who finished twelfth, was lapped driving the other RB Honda.
It was very good for motor racing to have the Red Bulls comprehensively beaten by the Ferraris.
The rumours are strong that wizard designer Adrian Newey will join the Prancing Horses next year, and this could be the final fillip that Ferrari needs.
Next race is in three weeks’ time at De Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada.
Drivers:
1 Max Verstappen 169
2 Charles Leclerc 138
3 Lando Norris 113
4 Carlos Sainz 108
5 Sergio Perez 107
6 Oscar Piastri 71
7 George Russell 54
8 Lewis Hamilton 42
9 Fernando Alonso 33
10 Yuki Tsunoda 19
Teams:
1 Red Bull 276
2 Ferrari 252
3 McLaren 184
4 Mercedes 96
5 Aston Martin 44
6 RB 24
7 Haas 7
8 Williams 2
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