Red Bull dominates Monaco GP FP3 as Hamilton crashes

Max Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez, dominated the final practice of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, as Lewis Hamilton’s misfortune brought the session to a premature halt.

Red Bull dominates Monaco GP FP3 as Hamilton crashes
Max Verstappen during the final practice session at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix-Red Bull Content Pool

Strong Red Bull in Monaco

The Red Bull duo of Verstappen and Perez set an impressive pace in FP3.

Verstappen registered the fastest lap with 1m12.776s, with Perez hot on his heels at 1m12.849s.

The teamwork demonstrated by the Red Bull drivers highlighted their formidable pace on the iconic Monaco circuit.

"The 1m14s barrier was shattered by Verstappen, who went half a second clear of Perez," the FP3 reports noted.

The Dutchman demonstrated his superior skill, consistently outrunning his teammate and the rest of the competition.

Fierce competition for top spots

Fernando Alonso during the final practice session at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
Fernando Alonso during the final practice session at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix-Credit: Aston Martin F1

The session was not all about Red Bull and Mercedes, however. Notable performances from Lance Stroll, Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris, and Pierre Gasly made for a fiercely competitive FP3.

Stroll came close to disrupting the Red Bull duopoly, falling just under a tenth shy of Perez, while Sainz held the fastest time in the 1m13s bracket, finishing the session fourth.

Norris and Gasly claimed the fifth and sixth spots, respectively, adding to the thrilling battle for supremacy.

Sergio Perez during the final practice session at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix-Red Bull Content Pool
Sergio Perez during the final practice session at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix-Red Bull Content Pool

The Monaco Grand Prix promises to be an exciting race, with Red Bull asserting dominance, Hamilton battling adversity, and other contenders pushing hard to disrupt the status quo.

With stakes high and the world watching, the iconic street circuit is all set to deliver an enthralling spectacle.

Hamilton's crash

Lewis Hamilton in the barriers during the final practice session at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix - Credit: F1 TV
Lewis Hamilton in the barriers during the final practice session at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix - Credit: F1 TV

The session took a dramatic turn when Lewis Hamilton lost control of his Mercedes on the exit of Mirabeau, crashing into the barrier and bringing proceedings to a sudden halt.

The British driver was looking competitive, having set the fastest opening sector moments before his accident.

Hamilton overshot his braking area and oversteered into the barrier.

Lewis Hamilton's car being lifted in the air in at the final practice session at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix - Credit: F1 TV
Lewis Hamilton's car being lifted in the air in at the final practice session at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix - Credit: F1 TV

Monaco Grand Prix FP3 Results

PositionDriverTeamTimeGap
1Max VerstappenRed Bull1'12.776
2Sergio PerezRed Bull1'12.8490.073
3Lance StrollAston Martin1'12.9420.166
4Carlos SainzFerrari1'13.2610.485
5Lando NorrisMcLaren1'13.3960.62
6Pierre GaslyAlpine1'13.4530.677
7Charles LeclercFerrari1'13.4750.699
8Lewis HamiltonMercedes1'13.4860.71
9Esteban OconAlpine1'13.4960.72
10Valtteri BottasAlfa Romeo1'13.5210.745
11George RussellMercedes1'13.5900.814
12Kevin MagnussenHaas1'13.6240.848
13Nico HulkenbergHaas1'13.6500.874
14Fernando AlonsoAston Martin1'13.6970.921
15Yuki TsunodaAlphaTauri1'13.7380.962
16Zhou GuanyuAlfa Romeo1'13.7720.996
17Logan SargeantWilliams1'13.8511.075
18Alex AlbonWilliams1'13.9301.154
19Oscar PiastriMcLaren1'13.9981.222
20Nyck de VriesAlphaTauri1'14.1871.411
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