Monaco GP: F1's burgeoning title race heads to iconic 'crown jewel'

After an intensifying title race took another twist in Spain, it's time for Formula 1's most legendary and glamorous event - the Monaco GP.

All live on Sky Sports this weekend, F1's fabled jewel in the crown never fails to deliver a spectacular event and remains the race that every driver wants to win as they push the limits around the narrowest of streets.

It's a unique test and one that increases in importance this weekend, with a championship fight simmering and three teams in confident mood.

Max Verstappen now leads the title race for the first time this season after the world champion turned a 19-point deficit into a six-point advantage on a wild Sunday in Spain, pouncing on Charles Leclerc cruel engine failure.

Red Bull and Ferrari have been evenly matched all season and they will have aspirations of delivering again this weekend, in a Monaco GP filled with jeopardy.

But for the first time this year, we can now expect Mercedes to be right in that battle at the front.

The team on a record eight-year streak of constructors titles have flattered to deceive at the start of 2022 but at the Spanish GP finally managed to unlock consistent pace from their car, with George Russell a competitive third and Lewis Hamilton fifth after a fine recovery from the back.

Last weekend has also seemingly resulted a shift in Mercedes' aspirations. With Russell 36 points off Verstappen in the drivers' championship and Mercedes 75 points off Red Bull in the team standings, the team roared after Barcelona: "Can we fight for a world championship? You bet we can.

"We have reasons to believe we can get there.

"If you look at the standings that is very hard to see but motor racing is a different ball game.

"We've seen that Ferrari didn't