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Verstappen in his Red Bull

Photo: CHRISTIAN BRUNA / EPA

Max Verstappen has taken pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix. The Formula 1 world champion in the Red Bull drove the fastest lap in qualifying, with Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin and surprisingly Esteban Ocon in the Alpine in second and third place on the grid on Sunday.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc had to relinquish his third place on the grid after a penalty and starts the race from sixth place. After a hearing and the evaluation of the data and TV images, the race stewards came to the conclusion that Leclerc had hindered Lando Norris in the McLaren in the decisive round of the knockout round. However, they blamed the team rather than the driver.

Aston Martin and Ferrari in particular had hoped to break Red Bull's winning streak on the street circuit – and they were only a few hundredths behind. However, Verstappen now has the best chance of his team's sixth victory in the sixth race of the season. This would allow him to significantly extend his lead in the world championship fight.

Because Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull will only start from the back of the field. The Mexican lost his RB19 in the first session right after the start and finish in the Sainte-Devote and crashed into the barriers.

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