'What a super weekend' - Top 3 finishers react to daunting Monaco Grand Prix

The 2023 Monaco Grand Prix was one for the books, despite the come-to-expect nature of a circuit known for creating a gaggle of cars following each other in concession.

Still, Max Verstappen kept a cool head to maintain the lead once the race got underway, keeping rival Fernando Alonso at bay. The Aston Martin driver eyed his chances at victory around the streets of the Principality, but will be happy with how the race played out.

And he kept a cool head as the rain turned the race on its head.

Esteban Ocon, who qualified fourth but inherited third after Charles Leclerc received a grid penalty, crossed the finish line in the same position, and was visibly ecstatic over the achievement.

Speaking in the post-race interviews, Verstappen reflected on his race and how it was typical for Monaco.

"It was difficult because we were on the medium initially, we didn't want to stay out that long, but we had to because the rain was coming," he said.

"Then the rain came; it was incredibly slippery; I clipped the walls as it was super difficult out there - but that's Monaco. It's super nice to win it with the weather and everything - to stay calm and bring it home."

'It was difficult'

For Alonso, he and the team opted for a different strategy going into the race. Instead of fitting the car with the (quicker) Medium tyre, he started on the Hards. This immediately impacted his start off the line, and, despite a good start, he had to fall in line behind Verstappen.

Verstappen then began pulling out an advantage over the rest of the field, leaving everyone in his wake.

Alonso said: "It was difficult, we opted to start on the (Hard) tyres, so we gave up on the possibility into Turn 1. But Max drove super well on the Mediums, so we didn't have a