Max Verstappen dwarfed by tennis star at 2023 Monaco GP

Max Verstappen claimed his 39th career win on Sunday at the Monaco GP.

Former tennis player Maria Sharapova was on hand to present reigning World Champion Max Verstappen with his award for claiming pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix last Saturday, with her outfit having stunned fans.

Verstappen claimed what was perhaps the greatest pole position of his Formula 1 career at the Circuit de Monaco after finding three tenths in the final sector, to pip veteran Fernando Alonso to P1.

Sharapova took a photo with the Red Bull driver whilst presenting him with the Pirelli Pole Position award, with many having gushed at her yellow outfit.

Sharapova wore matching yellow wide trousers with a yellow jacket, with the shade of yellow having been brighter than the yellow on Red Bull’s logo.

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She was spotted throughout the paddock across the Grand Prix weekend, whilst she also posted an image on Instagram of her with actor Tom Holland.

On the track, Verstappen converted his third pole position of the season into his fourth win in 2023, with the Dutchman having mastered the treacherous conditions late on.

With the exception of a brief scare at the entry to Portier, the 25-year-old was completely flawless, with his win having extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 39 points.

Alonso converted his front row start into season-best second place finish, marking his fifth podium from the opening six races.

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Alpine’s Esteban Ocon claimed a remarkable P3 having started the race from third, with him having been promoted from fourth to third ahead of the race following a three-place grid penalty for home hero Charles Leclerc.

The Monegasque endured a disappointing race, with the Ferrari driver having finished sixth.

Ahead of Leclerc were Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.

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Russell was lucky to maintain fifth after he was awarded a five-second time penalty in the closing stages of the race, with him having re-joined the circuit in an unsafe manner following a lock-up at Mirabeau.

The incident also saw the Briton slapped with two penalty points.

Verstappen’s victory saw Red Bull extend their lead in the Constructors’ Championship to 129 points over Aston Martin, who now have Mercedes just a single point behind them ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.