Monaco Grand Prix qualifying proved a heart-in-the-mouth affair but the cream rose to the top in the end with world championship leader Max Verstappen claiming his third pole position of the year.

Racing Post expert Adam Scriven outlines his best bets for Sunday's race.

Adam Scriven's Monaco Grand Prix Tips

Fernando Alonso to win @ 11/4 
No red flag in the race @ 11/8 
Ferrari fastest team pit stop @ 5/4 

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

Setting the scene…..

It was the type of barely believable performance that shows what separates champions from their high-class peers, and it's no surprise that Red Bull ace Verstappen is a strong favourite to record his second Monaco Grand Prix victory after a sensational final sector on his final qualifying lap. 

Veteran Fernando Alonso, himself a two-time world champion, had to be content with the front row, and he'll be hoping to make a quicker getaway than Verstappen as overtaking is more difficult on the streets of the principality than at any other circuit in the world.

Fernando Alonso to win @ 11/4

Alonso has had to endure plenty of frustration since beating the great Michael Schumacher to claim his two titles in 2005 and 2006. However, the 41-year-old is enjoying his best season for ages following a switch to Aston Martin, and it could get better yet. 

The Spaniard has already claimed four podium finishes this year and it would take some disaster to befall him if he is to fail to improve that record in Monaco. 

The Aston's race pace has been second only to Red Bull at most tracks this year, and the twisty Monaco circuit is proving to bring out the best in the green car.

Adam Scriven's Tip:

Alonso's best chance is to nip in front of the world champion at the start - Verstappen has made a couple of sloppy getaways this year. 

If not, he will have to rely on pressure and strategy, but at 11/4 it's worth taking the chance he can land what would be a hugely popular victory, especially with his home race in Barcelona coming up next week.

No red flag in the race @ 11/8

Practice and qualifying have seen the usual plethora of incidents and accidents that are to be expected at a track where the fastest route round is to brush against the barriers. 

However, in the race drivers won't be pushing so hard, as they seek to keep their tyres in prime shape and conserve fuel. 

Meanwhile, the nature of a Monaco race means some will simply be stuck in the traffic jam and forced to bide their time.

Adam Scriven's Tip:

The threat of rain that was forecast earlier in the week seems to have receded, and while pretty much any kind of crash will necessitate the race being stopped to clear debris, it could be worth taking the 11/8 that the red flag is not shown during the race. 

The Miami Grand Prix last time out took place on a similarly tricky street circuit, but not only did every driver finish that race, there were no safety car appearances and not even a yellow flag waved - indicating a driver has made a mistake and gone off track.

Ferrari fastest team pitstop @ 5/4

A slick pit stop can make the difference between victory and defeat in a sport which measures time by the thousandth-of-a-second and it's no surprise that the dominant Red Bull team have also been kings of the quick tyre change in recent years. 

They earned their fifth consecutive F1 Fastest Pit Stop Award last season, but are facing strong competition from Ferrari this time around. 

The well-drilled Scuderia mechanics have been sharpest with the wheel guns in three of the five races this season.

Adam Scriven's Tip:

It's interesting to note that Sergio Perez's pit stops tend to be faster than his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen's, and it has been cited that the Mexican is better at stopping exactly on his marks in front of the garage. 

However, as Perez is starting from the back with an urgent need to cut through traffic, there's a good chance he may need more than just a tyre change when he visits the pits on Sunday, and that could throw the advantage to Ferrari, who look the better value at 5/4.

Adam Scriven's Monaco Grand Prix Tips

Fernando Alonso to win @ 11/4 
No red flag in the race @ 11/8 
Ferrari fastest team pit stop @ 5/4 

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

Adam Scriven

• Fernando Alonso
• Max Verstappen
• Ferrari
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