The 2013 Monaco Grand Prix (formally the 71st Grand Prix de Monaco) was a Formula One motor race held on 26 May 2013 at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte‑Carlo, Monaco. It was the sixth round of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship.
Background
The race followed the European Grand Prix held at the Valencia Street Circuit. Heading into Monaco, Sebastian Vettel led the Drivers' Championship, while Red Bull Racing led the Constructors' Championship.
Circuit
The event took place on the 3.340 km (2.074 mi) street circuit, which runs through the streets of Monte‑Carlo and includes the famous tunnel, the hairpin at the Fairmont Hotel (formerly the Loews Hotel), and the Rascasse corner. The circuit length and layout remained unchanged from the previous year.
Qualifying
Qualifying was affected by intermittent rain. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) secured pole position with a time of 1:13.629, his first career pole. He was followed by Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.
Race
The Grand Prix was run in variable weather conditions, beginning under dry conditions that later turned wet. A safety car was deployed early due to a collision involving Kimi Räikkönen and Jules Bianchi. The race featured several pit stops for tyre changes as conditions shifted between slick and intermediate compounds.
Nico Rosberg won the race, achieving his first Formula One victory. He finished ahead of Mark Webber (Red Bull Racing) in second place and Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing) in third. The result moved Rosberg to second in the Drivers' Championship, behind Vettel.
Classification
| Position | Driver | Team | Laps | Time/Retired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nico Rosberg | Mercedes | 78 | 1:45:44.527 |
| 2 | Mark Webber | Red Bull Racing | 78 | +6.828 |
| 3 | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull Racing | 78 | +8.393 |
| 4 | Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | 78 | +16.017 |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 78 | +20.721 |
| … | … | … | … | … |
Aftermath
The victory was Rosberg’s first in Formula One and marked Mercedes’ first win at Monaco since the team's return to the sport in 2010. The race also contributed to the tightening of the championship battle, with Vettel extending his points lead over Rosberg.
References
- FIA Formula One World Championship official results, 2013 Monaco Grand Prix.
- "Monaco Grand Prix 2013 – Race Report", BBC Sport, 26 May 2013.
- "Rosberg wins first F1 race at Monaco", Reuters, 26 May 2013.