Jack Leslie F1: 2016 Monaco Grand Prix In Pictures

The Circuit de Monaco is the most unique event on the 2016 Formula 1 calendar and produces some stunning, unusual photographs.

It also put on a thrilling F1 race, with Lewis Hamilton beating Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez to the Monaco Grand Prix victory. Here is the race weekend in pictures.

Thursday

Hamilton set the pace in Thursday's first practice, with the 90-minute session taking place one day earlier than usual, due to Monaco's unique schedule.

Jolyon Palmer was one of several drivers to find the wall at the Circuit de Monaco during FP1.

The session ended with drama when Nico Rosberg's Mercedes lifted up a manhole cover, which was struck by Jenson Button's McLaren.

Ricciardo moved to the front of the field in second practice, with the times looking much closer compared to previous races.

Grosjean hit the wall in FP2, as did a couple of other drivers, but he was one of the few to continue on in the session.

Saturday

Sebastian Vettel was the quickest driver in third practice, meaning three different people had set the pace in practice for the Monaco GP.

The Sainte Devote escape roads got plenty of use, while the wall at Massenet also got a few taps during FP3.

Verstappen crashed out of Q1 in qualifying after hitting the inside wall at the second Swimming Pool chicane and flying into the barrier at the corner exit.

The Red Bull driver joined Marcus Ericsson, Palmer, Rio Haryanto, Pascal Wehrein and Felipe Nasr - who failed to set a time after an engine failure - in the Q1 drop-zone.

Williams were disappointed with 11th and 14th in Q2 for Valtteri Bottas and Felipe Massa, split by Esteban Gutierrez and Button. Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen completed the elimination zone.

Kimi Raikkonen qualified sixth, ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr. and Sergio Perez. Daniil Kvyat and Fernando Alonso completed the top 10.

Ricciardo was delighted with his first career pole position, ahead of Rosberg, Hamilton, Vettel and Nico Hulkenberg.

Sunday

The Monaco GP started behind the safety car due to tricky weather conditions, following heavy rain earlier in the day.

The race got underway on lap eight, with Ricciardo leading Rosberg and Hamilton. Magnussen quickly moved over to intermediates.

Just as the race got started, the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) was deployed after Palmer crashed heavily on the main straight and retired.

Ricciardo quickly opened up a small lead while Rosberg struggled behind, holding up Hamilton.

Raikkonen's day ended with a clumsy crash at the hairpin, before trying to continue with a damaged front wing stuck under his car. He eventually pulled off track and retired.

Hamilton was let past Rosberg and into second place, quickly catching up to Ricciardo and staying out on the wet tyre while the rest of the field switched to intermediates.

Kvyat went one lap down after an early gearbox issue before then crashing with Magnussen at Rascasse.

Switching to the intermediates was a tough decision to make and a variety of strategies were chosen up and down the grid.

A drying line started to emerge, so Mercedes opted to keep Hamilton out on wets until he could make the switch to slicks straight away.

A slow pitstop helped Hamilton move up to first place and he extended his lead in the final laps, scoring his first victory of 2016.

The British driver was rightfully delighted with the result, which was crucial for his championship challenge after a difficult start to the season.

Ricciardo's reaction after the race was the complete opposite, he was fuming with the late pitstop - it proved to be hugely costly.

Perez completed the podium for Force India after a strong drive on an alternative strategy, finishing ahead of Vettel and Alonso.

31 May 2016

2016 Monaco Grand Prix In Pictures

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