Hello everybody and welcome to a big day of Formula 1 here on the MARCA in English live blog for the ever exciting Monaco Grand Prix race.
The start time for today's race at the Circuit de Monaco is 14:00 BST, making it 15:00 CEST. If you're ing us in the United States, the start time is 09:00 ET / 06:00 PT.
The 2023 Formula 1 world championship is in full swing and now the drivers take to the infamous Monaco track with back-to-back champion Max Verstappen as the favourite.
The Dutchman was dominant last season, and leads the way once again so far this campaign. He took pole from under the nose of Fernando Alonso yesterday and few would bet against him winning here again today.
F1 Race Live Coverage - Monaco Grand Prix race Live Text Commentary
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX!
And, Max Verstappen crosses the finish line 28 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso. He is now a double-winner in Monaco, having managed this race perfectly during the dry and the wet. Behind Alonso on the podium, Esteban Ocon takes this.
The finish line is in sight for Verstappen
Just four laps remain for Max Verstappen as he closes in on this Monaco Grand Prix victory. Just three laps remain for the Dutchman.
Tsunoda rolls off
Yuki Tsunoda had a chance of finishing in the points, but he has been complaining about the brakes and now he slides off. He's down in 15th by the time he res the track.
Verstappen remains 20 seconds ahead
Out at the front, after all the changing of tyres, Verstappen remains 20 seconds ahead of second-placed Alonso. Then there's a nice battle for third between Ocon and Hamilton.
Magnussen is having a nightmare
Kevin Magnussen was the last to pit for wets and, even after doing so, he goes off the track down the escape road anyway.
It's a downpour and Verstappen takes inters
Now, Max Verstappen comes in and he takes intermediate tyres to deal with the increasingly heavy rain. Alonso and Aston Martin rolled the dice, but dry tyres were the wrong call and they'll have to pit again.
Alonso pits and takes dry tyres
Fernando Alonso comes into the pits and stays on dry tyres, a big roll of the dice.
It's definitely raining now!
Rain has finally and definitively come, with several drivers on the radios to voice their concerns. Let's see who pits and if the cars can stay on the track.
Concern over rain
Several teams are still concerned about the possibility of rain, which is why many cars are staying out and not pitting yet. Some drops have been detected in turn three.
Verstappen concerned about his tyres
Max is once again complaining about his tyres: "I don't know how long I can keep this up for," he said over the radio.
He is still 9.1 seconds ahead of Alonso, while the Spaniard is 20s ahead of third-placed Leclerc.
Verstappen back up to speed
After his frustration with his left tyre, Max is gathering pace again. He is almost nine seconds clear of Alonso.
Hamilton pits smoothly
Hamilton has entered the pits to change to the hard tyres whilst in fifth place. It's a swift transition though, and he reenters in eighth spot.
Verstappen reports discomfort
The Dutchman is unhappy about his front left tyre. He also believes that he is "going to lose a lot of time in this traffic" as he mentioned over the radio.
Leclerc closes in on Hamilton
The Monegasque driver is closing in on the seven-time world champion who currently occupies fifth place.
Verstappen extends lead
The Dutchman is opening up a massive lead - he is now nine seconds ahead of Alonso in second.
Sargeant outdone by three drivers
Kevin Magnussen - without DRS - Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez overtake Williams' Sargeant in one swift lap. There are claims, via Sky Sports, that Sargeant was holding the rest up in a bid to help teammate Albon, but that didn't go to plan.
Sainz hits into Ocon
Sainz thought there was room to overtake Ocon but he collides into the back of him. The Spaniard has some wing damage but he insists on continuing.
Perez catching up
Perez changed to hard tyres at the end of the first lap and it's a move that's paid off as he gradually picks up the pace. He is 18th and moving swiftly.
Verstappen increases lead
Verstappen has opened up a two-second lead on Alonso.
Russell under investigation
George Russell could be in trouble. It appeared as though he may have started in the wrong position.
Verstappen resists Alonso
Alonso did his best overtake Verstappen out of the traps, while Lance Stroll hits into the back of Sargeant, causing the former a puncture.
We're underway!
Formation lap underway
The drivers are going through their paces ahead of the race. Verstappen, once again, is the heavy favourite. Checo Perez has a task on his hands to get near to the front after crashing in yesterday's qualifying.
The most distinguished drivers in the Monaco circuit
The Monaco Grand Prix is considered as one of the most exciting races of the season. There have been just a few drivers who have managed to dominate in this unique circuit, where Max Verstappen earned pole position for the first time this year.
Find out who have been the most successful here.
Starting grid for the Monaco Grand Prix 2023
Here is the starting order for the Monaco Grand Prix race, with each driver's time from yesterday's qualifying:
1. Verstappen (B) Red Bull 1'11"365 30
2. Alonso (B) Aston Martin 1'11"449 +00"084 25
3. Leclerc (B) Ferrari 1'11"471 +00"106 26
4. Ocon (B) Alpine 1'11"553 +00"188 26
5. Sainz (B) Ferrari 1'11"630 +00"265 28
6. Hamilton (B) Mercedes 1'11"725 +00"360 30
7. Gasly (B) Alpine 1'11"933 +00"568 25
8. Russell (B) Mercedes 1'11"964 +00"599 29
9. Tsunoda (B) AlphaTauri 1'12"082 +00"717 29
10. Norris (B) McLaren 1'12"254 +00"889 23
On this live blog, we'll have all the updates you need to fully follow the Monaco Grand Prix race, from pre-race news to lap-by-lap coverage.
It promises to be an eventful race in Monte Carlo, with Verstappen looking to win yet again, although the likes of Leclerc, Sainz and Alonso will not make it easy.
There appears to be some chance of rain on the circuit which will only further add to the potential drama.
We'll have coverage before then and afterwards, so don't go anywhere!
The full Monaco GP results
With the race completed, this is the completing finishing order of the Monaco Grand Prix:
Max Verstappen
Fernando Alonso
Esteban Ocon
Lewis Hamilton
George Russell
Charles Leclerc
Pierre Gasly
Carlos Sainz
Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri
Valtteri Bottas
Nyck De Vries
Guanyu Zhou
Alexander Albon
Yuki Tsunoda
Sergio Perez
Nico Hulkenberg
Logan Sargeant
Kevin Magnussen
Lance Stroll