Monaco Grand Prix 2017 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Sebastian Vettel secured a strategic masterclass victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, jumping teammate Kimi Raikkonen during an early Virtual Safety Car period to take the lead and control the race to the checkered flag. The German's third win of the season extended his championship lead and demonstrated Ferrari's tactical nous on the streets of Monte Carlo.

Raikkonen had taken a brilliant pole position for Ferrari, leading the early stages ahead of Vettel. However, when a Virtual Safety Car was deployed after Jenson Button's crash, Ferrari pitted Vettel first and he emerged ahead of his teammate through the undercut - a controversial decision that left Raikkonen fuming. Vettel controlled the race from that point, with Raikkonen settling for second place. Daniel Ricciardo completed the podium for Red Bull in third, while Sergio Perez set the fastest lap for Force India.

The race was a processional affair typical of Monaco, with overtaking virtually impossible around the narrow streets. Hamilton could only manage seventh after starting 13th due to a gearbox penalty, suffering significant championship damage. Vettel's victory and Hamilton's poor result extended the German's championship lead to 25 points - his largest advantage of the season. The win marked Ferrari's third consecutive podium lockout and underlined their strong early-season form, though the team orders controversy cast a shadow over an otherwise perfect weekend.