If watching the Formula 1 race in Monaco is already an exercise in surrealism under normal conditions, the appearance of rain turned this Sunday's race into a frantic street runner, an exercise in survival in which it was easier to screw up and end up stamped against the wall than to leave with a smile on your face like the one worn by Max Verstappen. the one that never fails. The fourth victory of the course for the current champion once again made it clear that Red Bull not only has the best car on the grid, but reads the vicissitudes like nobody else. Despite driving through a corridor surrounded by slippery walls like wet glass, the Dutchman pulled magic and hands to control a buffalo braver than ever based on volantazos, butt here and dance there, until crossing the finish line with more than 27 seconds ahead of Fernando Alonso, second on the starting grid, who also finished on the second step of the podium.
Max Verstappen celebrates first place at the Monaco GP. STEPHANE MAHE (REUTERS)
Fernando Alonso drives his car in the final part of the Monaco GP.JEFF PACHOUD (AFP)
Crew work on the car of Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso of Spain during the Monaco Formula One race, at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Sunday, May 28, 2023. (Christian Bruna/Pool Photo via AP) AP
Fernando Alonso, at the wheel of his Aston Martin, this Sunday. AP
Sparks caused by Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg's car.STEPHANE MAHE (REUTERS)
Max Verstappen, during the Monaco GP. Luca Bruno (AP)
The Monegasque Charles Leclerc, this Sunday during the race. JEFF PACHOUD (AFP)
Mexican Sergio Pérez, during the race. STEPHANE MAHE (REUTERS)
View of one of the stands full of spectators, this Sunday. PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW (REUTERS)
Formula 1 drivers on the first lap of the Monaco GP.ANDREJ ISAKOVIC (AFP)
The Spaniard saved the ballot in the best possible way if we take into account that Aston Martin got into a puddle. The strategists of the Silverstone team were overly optimistic when the water began to fall, and called the Spaniard to the workshop (lap 54) to place a new set of dry tires, just before the sky broke into a thousand pieces and forced him to stop again. Red Bull decided to wait and claim the presence of Mad Max a turn later (lap 55), to put the striped tires that certified the victory of the boy from Hasselt.
More information
See the classification of drivers and teams
The updated F1 calendar
The margin that Alonso was manufactured behind him, partly thanks to the plug generated by Esteban Ocón, made it possible for the Oviedo native to make his second visit to the workshops without losing that second place, his best result in the Aston Martin overalls and that he had not achieved since the Hungarian Grand Prix of 2014, nine years ago and when he was defending the Ferrari colours. Ocon pulled Alpine's first podium in this exercise out of his hat, after a surprising revival of the French structure. Carlos Sainz finished eighth and angry like a monkey with the plan put into practice by Ferrari, who, in the opinion of the Spaniard, played in favor of Charles Leclerc (sixth) and against him in the festival of stops that was concentrated when the rain revolutionized the peloton.
You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes on Facebook and Twitter, or sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.