MONACO -- Lando Norris held off local favourite Charles Leclerc to win a tense Monaco Grand Prix and claim a vital first win since the season opener.
Norris had controlled the race from pole position but was squeezed into a nail-biting finale when reigning world champion Max Verstappen stayed out until the final lap of the race.
A new rule for this year mandated two pit-stops but Verstappen's decision to wait until the latest opportunity to make his stop allowed Leclerc to close the gap to Norris in the final stint.
It was a much needed victory for Norris, moving him to within three points of McLaren teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri, who finished third.
Preseason title favourite Norris had won the Australian Grand Prix in March but had since relinquished the championship lead to Piastri, who has won four times since then.
The new Monaco rule was supposed to create an unpredictable and topsy-turvy contest but that never quite materialised.
