LIVE - Updated at 10:49
Formula 1 returns to one of its most famous races - the Monaco Grand Prix - after the unfortunate cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with a crucial qualifying session to be held this afternoon.
F1 was forced to cancel the Imola race weekend due to adverse weather and flooding in the region, with the event at this stage unlikely to be rescheduled amid the congested 2023 calendar. Yet teams and drivers will now turn their attention to the tight twists and turns of the world-renowned Circuit de Monaco for the next round of the season.
Red Bull's Sergio Perez won last year's race in wet conditions, with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz in second and Max Verstappen third. Hometown favourite Charles Leclerc has never been on the podium at his home race, while Mercedes will be eyeing improvements as they introduce upgrades to Lewis Hamilton's and George Russell's cars.
Carlos Sainz was quickest in first practice on Friday with Max Verstappen top of the timesheets in FP2.
Follow F1 qualifying live with The Independent - FP3 is at 11:30am before qualifying at 3pm (BST)
Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson
The crown jewel. That's the accompanying slogan alongside the Monaco Grand Prix: a Formula 1 staple-event identified with the sort-of glitz and glamour we saw last time out in Miami. And will see again in Las Vegas in November. F1's obsession with the US has given the principality a direct rival or two stateside, to the extent that its long-term viability in the sport if far from a certainty, given the difficulty of overtaking at the track.
But that's for another day. For now, the famed twists and turns on the shores of the French Riviera still offer the most unique of challenges for the 20 drivers as they return to action for the first time in three weeks. And that distinctiveness should, in theory, give Red Bull their toughest task yet in 2023.
Christian Horner's team have won all five races so far this season; six if you include the sprint in Azerbaijan. At a canter, too. Yet for a car which reigns supreme on long-straights and in high-speed corners comes a track with few long-straights and a series of low-speed corners.
F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE: Qualifying latest updates and times
Good morning and welcome to live coverage of qualifying at the Monaco Grand Prix with The Independent!
It's a beautiful day in the principality and a crucial day - perhaps the most important qualifying of the season. Given the tight nature of the circuit, with overtaking near-impossible, where each driver starts Sunday's race will be vital.
Can anyone overhaul Red Bull? Will Charles Leclerc clinch his third pole in a row at his home race? And can Mercedes pull off a surprise in their revamped car?
Free practice 3 starts at 11:30am, with qualifying at 3pm (BST)! Stay right here for all the build-up and live updates!