Monaco GP: Hamilton survives Verstappen challenge to win for Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton repelled Max Verstappen to claim victory in the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Briton led every lap but it was far from easy as the Dutchman tracked him all the way, but he would never be close enough to have a realistic overtaking attempt despite a collision at the chicane in the closing laps.

To make things worse for Verstappen, a five-second penalty would drop him down to fourth place, denying him a first podium in Monte Carlo.

Instead, Sebastian Vettel capitalised on the Finn having to stop twice due to a puncture to claim second with Bottas coming home in third.

The race began with Hamilton holding onto the lead at Sainte Devote and Bottas just keeping Verstappen at bay.

As most took the cautious approach, only Daniel Ricciardo would move up a position at the front of the grid, passing Kevin Magnussen around the outside of Turn 1.

All eyes were on Charles Leclerc in the early laps as he looked to move up from P15 on the grid, and it began well with a nice move on Romain Grosjean at Rasscasse.

However, an attempt to produce the same move on Nico Hulkenberg failed as he hit the barrier on the inside causing a puncture.

Trying to scramble back to the pits, the tyre would delaminate approaching Tabac sending debris all over the circuit.

That would require a Safety Car to clear the pieces away and triggered the only round of pit-stops in the race.

Two notable moments took place as Hamilton would switch to the medium tyre compared to Verstappen and Vettel behind on the hard compound.

And Max would also come to blows with Bottas as the pair came out side-by-side in the pit-lane with the Red Bull driver moving ahead.

The stewards would give the five-second penalty for an unsafe release to Verstappen, as Valtteri stopped again because of a puncture, moving Vettel ahead of the Mercedes.

From that point, it was a race of pace control as Hamilton tried to look after his medium tyres while holding the cars behind at bay.

The midfield was also shaken up as Ricciardo and Magnussen pitted under the Safety Car but would lose out to those ahead who stayed out.

As the laps ticked by, Verstappen simply couldn’t get close enough exiting Portier to try an overtake on Hamilton, who’s complaints over the radio grew louder and louder.

In the final eight laps, Red Bull gave him more power and that drew Max closer but a half-hearted lunge into the chicane was the only attempt the 21-year-old made.

After that, the result was set with Hamilton in front and it also became clear Vettel and Bottas would be within the penalty range of Verstappen for the podium.

Pierre Gasly took the fastest lap in fifth ahead of Carlos Sainz as his record of points in every race in Monte Carlo continued in sixth.

The two Toro Rosso’s of Daniil Kvyat and Alex Albon were right behind in seventh and eighth as Ricciardo produced a remarkable charge to catch and pass Romain Grosjean for ninth.

Lando Norris just missed out on points in 11th ahead of a disappointed Magnussen in 12th.

George Russell enjoyed his strongest race in 15th ahead of Lance Stroll and both Alfa Romeo’s on pace.

Teammate Robert Kubica and Antonio Giovinazzi were involved in a tangle at Rasscasse as they brought up the field.

Leclerc would be the only retirement for Ferrari.

Full results here: