Formula 1: Max Verstappen takes first ever points lead
By Asher Fair
Max Verstappen sits atop the Formula 1 driver standings for the first time in his career after his Monaco Grand Prix victory.
After a dominant victory on the streets of Monte Carlo, Monaco in the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finds himself sitting atop the Formula 1 driver standings for the first time in his career.
Verstappen started this race, the fifth race on the 2021 schedule, from the front row on his own after polesitter Charles Leclerc was unable to start due to a driveshaft issue, and he only ever relinquished the lead to teammate Sergio Perez after making his first pit stop.
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The 23-year-old Dutchman secured the victory in this 78-lap race around the 19-turn, 2.074-mile (3.338-kilometer) temporary street circuit by 8.968 seconds over Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. in second place.
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The win was his second of the season through five races. While Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has secured three wins so far this year, Verstappen leads the seven-time world champion by four points in the driver standings (105 to 101) after entering the race down by 14 (94 to 80).
In every race that Hamilton has won so far this season, Verstappen has finished in second place. But in today’s Monaco Grand Prix, Hamilton was only able to finish in seventh, as it was a disastrous showing for the Silver Arrows on all fronts, including strategy. Hamilton saw three positions go out the window due to a poorly timed pit stop, three positions that would have netted him an additional six points.
However, on perhaps the lone positive note of the race for Hamilton, he was able to secure an additional point for running the race’s fastest lap.
Additionally, Red Bull took the lead of the constructor standings by one point (149 to 148) over the Brackley-based team, as Perez was able to finish in fourth place after starting on the fifth row. Entering the race, the Milton Keynes-based team trailed by 29 (141 to 112).
Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas was running in second place as he made his pit stop, but he was forced to retire with a wheel issue while his car was being serviced.
Verstappen is the 64th different driver to lead the championship standings in Formula 1 history.
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Will Verstappen and Red Bull be able to maintain their leads in the standings? The next race, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 6 at Baku City Circuit. This race is set to be broadcast live on ESPN beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET.