Qualifying for the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix was thrilling from start to finish, and the drivers had their work cut out for them as they circumnavigated the narrow streets of Monte Carlo as quickly as possible. Max Verstappen took pole position on his final timed lap in front of a stellar Fernando Alonso. The Spanish media reacts to what was undoubtedly the most exciting qualifying session we have seen so far this year.

The Spanish daily, El País, begins with "Fernando Alonso puts Max Verstappen to the wall at the Monaco GP", highlighting the titanic fight that ensued between the two drivers in their final attempts at Q3.

"The slides that caracole around Monte Carlo magnify the strengths of the AMR23, the most efficient car on the grid under braking and in the low-speed corners. That's what allowed the Spaniard to come within a whisker of what would have been his 23rd pole position. In the end, it will be Max Verstappen who will start without traffic on a circuit where 15 of the last 18 winners have started from the front row, 13 of them from pole. This is the third for him in 2023 and the one he had to work hardest for," concludes the reputable Spanish daily.

The Spanish media, AS, in turn praises Fernando Alonso's magical performance on the winding roads of the principality. " Alonso, 'beyond the limit'", while shedding light on the risks the Spaniard took and his chances of securing his first victory in 10 years. "The Spaniard took risks in Q3: 'The last sector was the weakest, although everything went well'. He comes second and looks to victory: 'If there's a chance, we'll go for it'".

Marca, also highlights the efforts of Max Verstappen. "Verstappen beats Alonso by 0.084 to steal an insane pole from him in Monaco." It further added that it was the Spaniard's brilliant performance that put the Dutchman under huge pressure, while highlighting Ocon's astonishing lap that earned him 4th place, and made mention of Leclerc's grid penalty for the Grand Prix start. "Fernando forced the Dutchman to push hard, while Sainz will start fourth, behind a great Ocon, after Leclerc was given a three-place grid penalty."

El Confidencial, on the other hand, focuses its attention on Fernando's beastly performance and his chances of taking his first win since 2013. "FULL CHANCES OF VICTORY. The day Fernando Alonso became an 'animal', and it's not over yet. After a thrilling and thrilling duel, the Spaniard will start on the front row alongside Verstappen. Never since 2013 has he had so many chances to win".

Mexican media react to Perez's costly Q1 crash

As Mexico offers a sober and critical summary of the Mexican's performance in Q1. "Checo Pérez crashes in Monaco qualifying and compromises his race. No sooner had qualifying started when Perez went into the wall on the streets of the Principality." The Mexican media outlet predicts how difficult tomorrow's race will be for Red Bull Racing's Mexican ace. "It won't be Sergio Pérez's weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix. A tough outlook awaits 'Checo' in Sunday's race after the crash he suffered in qualifying on Saturday on the streets of the Principality. Perez seriously compromises his Sunday where he was hoping to defend his crown."

The headline in Nación Deportes reads, "'Checo' Pérez dropped out of Monaco GP Qualifying after crash." It also delves into the consequences of the Mexican driver's mistake on his hopes of winning the Monaco GP and mounting a serious title challenge against his teammate, Max Verstappen. "An afternoon to forget. Sergio 'Checo' Perez retired from qualifying for the Monaco GP after an accident. He will start from the back of the grid. The 33-year-old Mexican will not be able to repeat last year's feat and, unfortunately, the gap to driver standings leader Max Verstappen will increase."

ESPN' s Mexican edition opens with the consequences this will have for Perez's race tomorrow around the historic circuit. "'Checo' was left out of qualifying at the Monaco GP. The Mexican driver made a mistake at the first corner and this will cost him dearly in the race." The sports news network and broadcaster of sporting events elaborates, "Mexico's Checo Perez will start in the last positions for the Monaco Grand Prix after crashing during the first minutes of qualifying and with this being practically eliminated from any chance of fighting for the podium." While highlighting Perez's improved form over the weekend, he also blames him for the accident. "Checo', winner of the race in 2022, went from strength to strength over the weekend, but it all went down the drain when he told his team he had crashed.

No doubt Perez, if Verstappen wins the race, will pay a heavy price in the championship standings after this costly mistake and the big points advantage he did not want to let the Dutchman build, as he said in statements to the press earlier in the week, will most likely start to develop.