MONTE CARLO (dpa-AFX) - Even in the royal box of Prince Albert II, the remarkable Formula 1 prodigy Kimi Antonelli refused to part with the Italian flag. Earlier, the 19-year-old Mercedes driver had euphorically celebrated his fifth consecutive victory at the classic Grand Prix, becoming the youngest winner ever on the streets of Monte Carlo. Completely unfazed by potholes and a lengthy race suspension, the Italian once again outpaced the field, further extending his lead in the World Championship. 'It was an incredible weekend', Antonelli enthused.

Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari and Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar took second and third places respectively. With his eighth Monaco podium, Hamilton equaled the record held by Ayrton Senna. Local hero Charles Leclerc squandered a podium finish ten laps from the end when he crashed his second Ferrari.

'It is still a long season'

Red Bull superstar Max Verstappen had already bowed out at the start, plummeting from second on the grid to the back of the pack due to engine issues. Antonelli's teammate George Russell also failed to keep pace, finishing outside the points following a drive-through penalty. After six rounds of the season, the Italian now holds a 66-point lead in the standings over the new second-placed man, Hamilton. 'It is still a long season; nothing is over yet', Antonelli noted dutifully.

Nico Hülkenberg, driving for Audi in his adopted home, missed out on his first championship points of the year following a late penalty and a turbulent final phase. Race control had ordered a 37-minute suspension ten laps from the finish due to damage to the asphalt. Although the 38-year-old crossed the line in ninth, a ten-second penalty saw him demoted to 13th in the final classification.

Team Principal warns Antonelli against overconfidence

At the start of the weekend, rivals had labeled Ferrari as the favorites. However, the high-flying Antonelli delivered a superb lap in the crucial qualifying session, his winning streak fueling the Italian's momentum. Further proof followed at the start: Antonelli remained perfectly composed, showing no signs of the weaknesses seen at the beginning of the season.

Max Verstappen, who lined up alongside the championship leader on the front row, had jokingly advised Antonelli to wait a second before pulling away. Instead, it was the Dutchman himself who remained stationary. After a series of expletives, he asked over the radio: 'What should I do now?' The response: 'Just come home.'

Shortly thereafter, Verstappen retired and climbed out of the car in the garage. 'Even at the start, the engine didn't feel right. No power in the first few meters', the four-time world champion told Sky, announcing he would immediately head to his apartment just 500 meters away.

Kim Kardashian watches Hamilton

This allowed Ferrari superstar Hamilton to inherit second place behind the disappearing Antonelli. He did so under the watchful eyes of reality TV star Kim Kardashian, with whom the Briton has been frequently seen in private in recent weeks. Likely at Hamilton's invitation, Kardashian and her sister Khloe added to the celebrity density in the Principality. Hollywood icons Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, as well as football World Cup winners Mario Götze, Mats Hummels, and Lukas Podolski, were also cheering from the trackside.

Also back in the paddock was Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur. The Frenchman had spent Saturday under observation in a clinic due to health issues. While the team did not disclose details, the 58-year-old was back at the pit wall for the race.

Vasseur watched as Hamilton and teammate Leclerc looked set for the podium. However, the Ferrari duo could not threaten the leading Antonelli. The Silver Arrow teenager's lead grew steadily as he navigated the harbor, filled with multi-million-dollar yachts, without error.

World Champion Norris out early on McLaren anniversary

In contrast, Hamilton and Russell faltered when they were caught speeding in the pit lane during tire changes, each receiving five-second penalties. The workday ended even earlier for last year's winner Lando Norris. The world champion was forced to retire his McLaren with a technical defect, as he had recently in Canada. His team, which by its own count was competing in its 1,000th Grand Prix, is in danger of failing early in its defense of both titles from the previous season.

When Lance Stroll crashed his Aston Martin into the barriers on lap 60, the safety car bunched up the field. Shortly after the restart, Leclerc lost control of his car. Race stewards then halted the field to inspect holes in the asphalt at Turn 19. After nearly 40 minutes, the race resumed with a standing start, but Antonelli was not to be denied the victory./DP/zb