Monaco Grand Prix 2023 LIVE: UK start time, qualifying and driver standings – F1 boss slams ‘selfish’ drivers as Hamilton shares Mercedes contract update

Formula 1 returns after an unscheduled second break of the season for the glitz and glamor of the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.

The iconic Monte Carlo race was originally designed to be the mid-lane of a triple-header before the cancellation of the Emilia-Romagna GP.

F1 calendar in FULL with UK start times for every practice, qualifying and race

The Imola event – which was scrapped due to safety concerns and a lack of resources following heavy flooding in Italy – became the second race to be removed from the 2023 calendar after the continued absence of F1 in China.

But now the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Monaco is back racing ahead of successive European weekends, with Spain yet to come.

Sergio Perez is chasing back-to-back wins in the Principality to close the gap to Championship leader and Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen.

The two are in a league of their own this season, and ‘Checo’ has hit back at criticism of Verstappen’s sportsmanship every time he emerges victorious.

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“He’s a good loser, I would say,” Perez told PlanetF1.

“He has a reputation for being (a) bad loser, but honestly every time I beat him he really says ‘Bravo’ to me and it’s not very normal in Formula 1 to have that kind of team-mate.

“He really comes and (says) ‘Bravo mate’ – and you can see he feels it. I appreciate that.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton has dismissed any rumors suggesting he could join Ferrari when his contract with Mercedes expires this year.

Instead, the Brit has revealed he’s set to sign a new contract with his current side.

Speaking ahead of the race weekend, Hamilton said: “My team is working very closely behind the scenes with (Mercedes team principal) Toto (Wolff), and we are almost on the verge of having a contract ready.”

Monaco Grand Prix: UK start date and time

The race weekend at the Circuit de Monaco is scheduled from Friday May 26 to Sunday May 28.

Two training sessions will kick off Friday’s action from 12.30pm UK time, the second later at 4pm.

A third training session is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, before qualifying, the most important of the entire season, which takes place at 3 p.m.

Lights out for Sunday’s Grand Prix will be at 2 p.m.

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Monaco Grand Prix: TV channel and live broadcast

Coverage will be on Sky Sports F1 throughout the weekend and their preparation for Sunday’s race will begin at 12pm.

Sky Sports customers can stream this live through the app using their mobile devices, tablets or computers.

Alternatively, you can buy a Sky Sports Day Pass from NowTV for £9.99 while Channel Four will show highlights later in the evening.

talkSPORT’s Fern Buckley will also have live updates from Monaco.

To log in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen through the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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Monaco Grand Prix: What was said?

Verstappen has previously hinted he could quit F1 if they continue to change the format of the race weekend – but his bluff has now been called by big boss Stefano Domenicali.

“I don’t want a society where people can’t say what they want,” the Italian told Mail Sport.

“But drivers sometimes have to remember that they are part of a bigger whole. We don’t need to be selfish.

“I discussed the issues with Max (before the last race in Miami). He said he loves the sport and what he does. He is a world champion and is fighting for a third title.

“He was born in a car. I would say he is likely to stay longer than me. This is not a problem.”

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Monaco Grand Prix: Drivers Ranking

Driver / Car / Points

1. Max Verstappen / Red Bull Racing / 119
2. Sergio Perez / Red Bull Racing / 105
3. Fernando Alonso / Aston Martin / 75
4. Lewis Hamilton/Mercedes/56
5. Carlos Sainz / Ferrari / 44
6. George Russell / Mercedes / 40
7. Charles Leclerc / Ferrari / 34
8. Lance Stroll/Aston Martin/27
9. Lando Norris / McLaren / 10
10. Pierre Gasly / Alpine / 8
11. Nico Hulkenberg / Haas / 6
12. Esteban Ocon / Alpine / 6
13. Valtteri Bottas / Alfa Romeo / 4
14. Oscar Piastri/McLaren/4
15. Zhou Guanyu / Alfa Romeo / 2
16. Yuki Tsounda / Alphatauri / 2
17. Kevin Magnussen/Haas/2
18. Alexander Albon / Williams / 1
19. Logan Sargeant/Williams/0
20. Nyck De Vries / Alphatauri / 0

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