Monaco Grand Prix Review: Verstappen takes win and title lead

Monaco. It didn't just live up to all expectations, it exceeded them.

A track where overtaking is near-on impossible sounds rather rubbish and fans worldwide have questioned the quality of racing here, but my word was this weekend dramatic.

First, hometown boy Charles Leclerc stuck his Ferrari on pole ahead of Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas before he then stuck it into the wall at the second swimming pool chicane - robbing himself of P1 and he eventually did not start.

The Ferrari garage decided not to risk running with gearbox damage and Leclerc's chance of winning his home Grand Prix were dashed. Heartbreaking.

That opened the door for Verstappen and he didn't look back.

The Dutchman flew through the race without a hitch. Lap after lap, Max pushed the car to its limit, somehow remaining in full control at all times. Whilst his teammate, Sergio Perez, gained places thanks to Mercedes - I'll get to them in a second - the man at the front continued his dominant display and took a giant step in his quest for Championship glory this year.

Right. Mercedes. I can't remember the last time they had a shocker, but boy did they have one today.

Bottas pitted and all seemed well. He rolled into the lane where his team were ready and waiting, but then it all went wrong. Left rear (tyre)? Check. Right rear? Check. Left front? Check. Right front? Right front? Right front?! It just wouldn't come off. And, when it finally did, it was simply too late. Bottas, who was fighting for the lead, emerged well down the field.

And then? Well, he retired. A cross-threaded wheel put an end to the Fin's race and, in all honesty, Mercedes ruined Hamilton's, too.

Thanks to Leclerc and Bottas' misfortune, the seven-time World Champion was running in fifth place when his team inexplicably told him to pit much, much too early. Hamilton himself called them out on team radio. Those in front kept their pace and pitted later, thus coming back out ahead of Lewis and ultimately put an end to not only his race, but his title lead, too. He did manage to grab the fastest lap, but Verstappen's flawless drive saw him leapfrog his Championship rival into the lead of the drivers' standings.

Behind him, everyone's favourite duo, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris who both got themselves on the podium for the first time this year. It will be bitter-sweet for Ferrari who could have had two drivers up on the famous steps, but Sainz's drive was something to be proud of.

As was Lando's. The young Brit celebrated his new contract in style and underlined his status as McLaren's unofficial no.1 with teammate Daniel Ricciardo unable to gain any places after qualifying down in twelfth, thus finishing outside the points.

From one ex-Red Bull driver to another - what a weekend it was for Sebastian Vettel. The German has endured a hard start to life at Aston Martin, but drove supremely to claim Driver of the Day by finishing P5, three points ahead of Lance Stroll in the other emerald livery.

That pretty much sums it up. Red bull were fantastic, Mercedes were uncharacteristically poor all weekend and those with worse cars took full advantage.

Pretty good for a track which hosts 'boring' races.

Can we come to Monaco every week?