Monaco Grand Prix 2011 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel continued his relentless march toward the championship with a dominant victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, converting pole position into his fifth consecutive win at Formula 1's most prestigious race. The German driver controlled proceedings around the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, leading home Fernando Alonso's Ferrari and Jenson Button's McLaren to extend his championship lead to commanding proportions and match the start achieved by legendary champions.

Starting from pole with a stunning qualifying lap of 1:13.556 around the tight, unforgiving Monaco circuit, Vettel made a perfect start and immediately established control. The Red Bull RB7's exceptional downforce and mechanical grip proved ideally suited to Monaco's slow-speed corners and elevation changes, allowing Vettel to manage the race from the front without ever being seriously challenged. His precision through the Swimming Pool complex and Casino Square was mesmerizing, while his tire management ensured he could control the pace throughout. Mark Webber set the fastest lap but could only manage fourth, continuing his season-long struggle to match his teammate's brilliance.

Alonso delivered an excellent drive to secure second place for Ferrari, demonstrating superb racecraft around Monaco's barriers to claim the Scuderia's best result of the season. The Spaniard's podium finish suggested Ferrari's development was beginning to pay dividends, though they clearly lacked the pace to challenge Red Bull's superiority. Button claimed third place ahead of Webber, with the McLaren driver showing consistent form even if victories remained elusive. Lewis Hamilton endured a difficult weekend, making contact with Felipe Massa and eventually retiring - an incident that would spark controversy and penalties. Vettel's sixth win from the opening six races tied Nigel Mansell's 1992 record for consecutive victories at the season start, establishing the 23-year-old as one of F1's all-time greats and making the championship seem like a foregone conclusion.