Formula One has arrived at its jewel in the crown race at Monaco this weekend, in mourning over the loss of three-time world champion and legend of the sport in Niki Lauda. Join The Roar for live coverage from 11pm (AEST).
A former winner of the Monaco Grand Prix on two occasions, Lauda’s loss has been seismic in the paddock and all the teams and drivers have moved to pay tribute to the Austrian. None more so than Mercedes AMG, with whom he was non-executive chairman.
Bearing the signature of the ex-Ferrari and McLaren driver and special red halos, reminiscent of Lauda’s famous red cap, the Silver Arrows are targeting an unprecedented sixth one-two finish of the season.
The 3.3km street circuit is an unforgiving challenge and the race is often determined by the results of qualifying, given that overtaking is nigh impossible across the 78 laps.
Strategically also, there are very little options for drivers to gain advantages as it will likely be a one-stop race. Though a race in Monaco can be lost in a pit-stop; just ask Daniel Ricciardo in 2017.
Lewis Hamilton lines up for his 85th career pole around the streets of the Principality, with his teammate Valtteri Bottas completing another Mercedes AMG front-row lockout.
Max Verstappen then validated the speed of the Red Bull ahead of the Ferrari, by qualifying third fastest ahead of Sebastian Vettel – whilst home favourite Charles Leclerc was eliminated down in sixteenth.
Whilst at the front of the field overtaking may be scarce, in the midfield there is more chance for attrition which ultimately is the cause for multiple incidents and Safety Cars.
It’s Kevin Magnussen that leads the best of the rest on the grid, ahead of reigning Monaco winner Daniel Ricciardo in the Renault, who could be poised for a top ten finish.
Surprise results are not uncommon in Monaco, so all it takes for drivers in that mid-to-back of the field pack is to keep their heads clear and avoid incident. The late Jules Bianchi was famous for his ninth-place finish in 2014, for the now-defunct Manor-Marussia team who hadn’t scored points at that stage.
But as far as the race for the win is concerned, only the elements could potentially change the current order.
What will this year’s edition of Formula One’s famous race provide then? Tune in from 10:40pm (AEST )for live blog coverage and updates of what could be another memorable Monaco Grand Prix.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
That then wraps up this live blog for the Monaco Grand Prix. Thanks again for tuning in as we saw a miracle of a win for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. Join me again on The Roar in a fortnight's time for the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal. Until then, good night.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
-------- DRIVER'S -------- 137 - Lewis Hamilton 120 - Valtteri Bottas 82 -- Sebastian Vettel 78 -- Max Verstappen 57 -- Charles Leclerc 32 -- Pierre Gasly 18 -- Carlos Sainz 14 -- Kevin Magnussen 13 -- Sergio Perez 13 -- Kimi Räikkönen 12 -- Lando Norris 9 --- Daniil Kvyat 8 --- Daniel Ricciardo 7 --- Alexander Albon 6 --- Nico Hulkenberg 4 --- Lance Stroll 2 --- Romain Grosjean 0 --- Antonio Giovinazzi 0 --- George Russell 0 --- Robert Kubica
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
----- CONSTRUCTOR'S ----- 257 - Mercedes AMG 139 - Scuderia Ferrari 110 - Aston Martin Red Bull Racing 30 -- McLaren Renault 17 -- Racing Point Mercedes 16 -- Haas Ferrari 16 -- Red Bull Toro Rosso Honda 14 -- Renault 13 -- Alfa Romeo Racing 0 --- Williams Mercedes
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
RACE REPORT After a week where Formula One mourned the loss of an icon in Niki Lauda, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes AMG paid tribute to the three-time champion in the best way with victory at the Monaco Grand Prix. Starting from pole, Hamilton led teammate Valtteri Bottas away from the line with Max Verstappen keeping Sebastian Vettel at bay at the start. With a threat of rain in the air, the pit-stops was where the race was going to be won or lost and the Silver Arrows gambled by putting Hamilton on the medium tyre, to run until the end of the race. Verstappen had moved up a place during the stops, after an unsafe release saw him make contact with Bottas in the pit-lane. Having had second on track, a 5-second time penalty loomed over the Dutchman’s head throughout the race. The Red Bull on hard tyres kept the pressure on race leader Hamilton, who complained of high wear issues on his medium compound tyres. Verstappen tried to make a move on Lap-76 at the Turn 10 chicane – though the pair made contact and let Hamilton go on to the chequered flag. Vettel and Bottas, after having to pit an extra time for fresh tyres following his pit-lane clash with the Red Bull, ended up finishing behind Hamilton on the podium – with Verstappen relegated to fourth as a result of the penalty. Second, the best result for Ferrari so far in 2019, on a dismal weekend for the Scuderia where home favourite Charles Leclerc ended up retiring from the race with severe floor damage. Puncturing his rear tyre early in the race, a frustrated Leclerc shredded the wheel to the point it damaged the floor of the Ferrari. A Safety Car was brought out to clear the track of the debris that Leclerc had littered and Daniel Ricciardo and Kevin Magnussen had taken the opportunity to pit for an early advantage inside the top ten. It backfired on both however, with the likes of Carlos Sainz and the Toro Rossos running long into the race on the soft tyres. Ricciardo, despite his season best qualifying for Renault, was able to score points in ninth – as Grosjean was demoted with a post-race penalty to tenth. Magnussen missed out in twelfth but will be subject to an investigation for his pass on Sergio Perez which left the Mexican unhappy.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
STANDBY FOR RACE REPORT & UPDATED STANDINGS
Damo
Guest
Great drive by Lewis, like Dan last year but at some point soon they really need to look at track layout options at Monaco. 2 years in a row of hobbled cars lapping 6-7 secs slower than possible for nearly a whole race and winning is just boring and honestly taking the piss a bit.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
POST-RACE INTERVIEWS - Hosted by David Coulthard HAMILTON - "That was definitely for me the hardest race I've ever had." "I was fighting with the spirit of Niki." "I was never going to come in." VETTEL - "Obviously a tough race to manage and I thought we had a good stop." "We tried to keep the pressure on with Max's penalty." "A great result for us but we are not quick enough." BOTTAS - "Disappointing weekend for me." "Small margins yesterday made it difficult today." "Bit of a Sunday drive in the end."
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
RESULTS FROM THE 78-MONACO GRAND PRIX 1 L. Hamilton 2 S. Vettel 3 V. Bottas 4 M. Verstappen* 5 P. Gasly (FASTEST LAP) 6 C. Sainz 7 D. Kvyat 8 A. Albon 9 R. Grosjean 10 D. Ricciardo 11 L. Norris 12 K. Magnussen 13 S. Perez 14 N. Hulkenberg 15 G. Russell 16 L. Stroll 17 K. Räikkönen 18 R. Kubica 19 A. Giovinazzi RET C. Leclerc
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
LEWIS HAMILTON WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX! Max Verstappen finishes second on track, but takes a 5-second penalty to fall off the podium. Claiming second is Sebastian Vettel and third is Valtteri Bottas.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 78/78: FINAL LAP Stewards looking at that clash between Hamilton and Verstappen.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 77/78: 2 LAPS TO GO Verstappen right back up behind Hamilton then on this lap. Though a bit too far behind at the same chicane to try a move.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 76/78: Verstappen tries to go down the inside at the chicane but there is contact! Hamilton stays ahead and Verstappen now 1.3 seconds behind.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 75/78: Mercedes holding off the Red Bull on the straights at the moment, especially through the tunnel. This seems to be enough.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 74/78: 5 LAPS TO GO 5-second time penalty to Grosjean for crossing the pit-exit line. Max tries to pass again at the Hairpin though to no avail.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 73/78: Gasly fastest lap again with another 1:14.279. Hamilton survives another lap in the lead.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 72/78: Top four now covered just by 2.5 seconds.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 71/78: Vettel's just got to make sure he doesn't get detached from this battle. Verstappen makes a mistake and goes straight on at the Swimming Pool. He gives Hamilton a bit of a reprieve, but invites Vettel into the fight now.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 70/78: Max tries to send one at the hairpin, but Hamilton parks his car right in the middle. This is what we've been waiting for all race!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 69/78: 10 LAPS TO GO Verstappen encouraged to go into 'Mode 7', so he will have extra power available then to charge at Hamilton in this final phase of the race.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Lap 68/78: Gasly now has taken the fastest lap of the race with a 1:14.567. Still no gains from Verstappen.