It was all sunshine and smiles on the cramped grid walk.  LeClerc had been awarded a 3 place grid penalty for impeding Norris during Qualifying.  All the former driver pundits agree that there is a gentlemen's agreement that you don't go slow in the tunnel.  I fail to understand how the stewards can penalise for breaking an agreement rather than a rule.

The first take of the hairpin saw the drivers get bunched up to a stand still; resulting in Hulkenberg in the pits and damage for Stroll.  The Canadian went for a gap where there was no gap twice.  George Russell was also in trouble for starting in the wrong place; this was later judged to be not of sufficient interest.

Once the first lap was all done, everyone settled into a routine.  On Lap 12, Sainz went into the back of Ocon, just as he was trying to force the man ahead to push his tires too hard.  With a bit of wing hanging off, he should have been called into the pit lane but didn't.  The bit fell off and Ferrari no longer felt any need at all to bring Sainz in as driving to optimum speed around Monte Carlo isn't necessary.  

Magnussen managed an overtake on Sargeant.  The Williams were sitting ducks as others followed through and Albon pitted.  But was it tactical for one driver to hold up others to give the team mate more of a gap to pit?  At this point, there was much talk of tires graining as this was the only hope of the race spicing up.  Or perhaps rain?

Stroll had more coming-togethers, this time with Perez, who had to get a new nose when he pitted, ruining his already ruined race.  I don't think Alonso will be able to say what a great driver the boss's son is after this race.

Sainz did a LeClerc and was furious on the radio with his team for poor strategy.  It felt like there was only a matter of time before his rage distracted him from due care and he crashed.  We were treated to a shot of Antonio Giovannazi looking worried in the Ferrari garage but also much more dishy for having a hair cut.  If only he'd reduced his weight earlier...

By Lap 45 of 78, everyone had been playing chicken with their pit stops waiting for either a Safety Car or rain.  LeClerc broke first, pitting from 3rd and exiting in 8th.

With 26 laps to go, the rain arrived.  Sainz continued to battle Ocon and it seemed no one other than Verstappen was worried.  Alonso was the first driver to be called to the pits and chose dry weather tires, which threw his race as the rain suddenly came down much heavier and he came straight back in, luckily back out in 2nd  Verstappen nudged a barrier.  They were stacking at Ferrari.  Mercedes beat them at the strategy, with both cars out in front.  Stroll lost his wing running into the barrier.  Then Magnessen.  Then Sargeant (who also sped in the pits, rounding off a particularly lacklustre weekend for Williams).  As if the rain wasn't enough, Russell had a time penalty for rejoining the track unsafely (indeed into Perez).  There were numerous other incidents and Hamilton came on to the radio saying the track conditions were unsafe.  The first driver to actually retire was Stroll.  Russell put in a bid for Hamilton to let him past to maximise the points but was told no.

Despite everyone willing Alonso to win, Verstappen held on to his premier position.  It wasn't a good day for overtaking with Ocon holding on to his third position.  As the circus moves on to Spain, all hopes will be back with the Spaniard; I think we're going to keep on like this until he either wins or retires.