World does double take as Maria Sharapova steals show at Monaco Grand Prix

A sporting icon stole the show at the Monaco Grand Prix after a surprise appearance that has left the world scratching its head.

Max Verstappen presented with the Pirelli Pole Position Award by Maria Sharapova. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images.

Maria Sharapova has stolen the show at the Monaco Grand Prix with a surprise appearance alongside Max Verstappen.

The tennis superstar on Sunday morning featured during the pole position trophy presentation, awarding world champion Max Verstappen his first pole position trophy at the iconic street circuit.

Watch the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix 2023 Live and ad-break free in racing on Kayo Sports Sunday May 28th 11:00PM AEST. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Russian star left fans doing double takes as she popped up with a new, darker look as she soaked in the Monaco sun.

Sharapova’s new look caught fans by surprise with many having missed her recent appearances with an ashier look.

The 36-year-old has played around with the tones in her hair in recent years, but has rarely gone as dark as the look she showed on Sunday morning.

Max Verstappen is presented with the Pirelli Pole Position Award by Maria Sharapova. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images.

The Sun reports Sharapova has previously been judged to be “the world’s hottest athlete” on four occasions while sporting the natural blonde look she had throughout her tennis career.

Sharapova has been busy in Monaco in recent days, sharing photos on Instagram from the luxurious principality.

Sharapova, who became a mum when baby son Theodore was born in July 2022, has also made several appearances at glitzy corporate events.

Verstappen seemed unflappable next to the five-time grand slam champion as he showed off the Pirelli Pole Position Award — which comes in the form of a mini tyre.

The Florida-based former athlete has become a successful businesswoman since ending her playing career three years ago - and was at the recent F1 Accelerate Summit in Miami.

She was one of the best players of her generation, winning Wimbledon aged just 17 in 2004.

She is one of just ten women ever to lift all four Grand Slams - completing her set at the 2012 French Open which she won again in 2014.

Sharapova’s on-court performances saw her earn $60 million in prize money.

Maria Sharapova looked very different in one of her recent public appearances. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images.

Maria Sharapova in the famous Monaco harbour. Photo: Instagram, Maria Sharapova.

But it was off the court she raked in the money with a further reported £231m in sponsorship and modelling deals with the likes of Nike, Evian, Porsche and TAG Heuer.

In fact, Sharapova was the highest-paid female athlete in the world across all sports between 2006 and 2016.

However, despite being one of the greatest female players of her generation, her legacy was tainted in 2016 as she received a 15-month ban for failing a drugs test with meldonium in her system.

Verstappen comes from the clouds with pole position miracle

It was a mixed day for Red Bull in Monaco as championship leader Max Verstappen produced a stunning late lap to secure pole position while Sergio Perez rammed his car into a wall and will start from the back of the grid.

Verstappen admitted he touched a few “barriers and walls” as he “risked everything” to secure his maiden Monaco pole but a downcast Sergio Perez said he was “really disappointed” with himself after crashing out in the opening minutes of Saturday’s qualifying.

Nothing can make Max Verstappen smile. Photo by Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images.

The defending double world champion Verstappen fought back during an intense finale to a spectacular Q3 session to outpace rivals Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso.

It secured him the 23rd pole position of his career after it had appeared that it would Ferrari and Aston Martin celebrating instead.

The Dutchman glanced a barrier in the Swimming Pool complex and another at the exit of Anthony Noghes on his way to a lap that secured him pole by less than a tenth of a second.

“I just struggled a bit to put it all together in the first lap with warm-up of the tyres and then just putting it all together, in all the sectors,” he said.

“But I knew that on the last lap I had to do it because they improved and I also knew, going into the last sector, I was down on them... So, I had to push flat-out in the last sector and risk everything to get back the lap time and luckily we did well.

“I touched a few guardrails and walls,” he added. “I was always quite quick in the last sector, but I definitely pushed a bit harder in the last lap.”

Max Verstappen produced a mighty fina lap. Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images.

He said he felt compromised because his tyres were not prepared properly and he had to drive conservatively and then found himself behind other cars.

“It definitely wasn’t an ideal start to the lap, so maybe, that’s why my sector one was a little bit down and then it all started to come because it’s all about confidence as well around here.

“So, a lot of things come into play to have a perfect lap here. “It’s always super-hectic. Finally, we had clean running in Q3, as well, so it was nice for everyone to just push to the limit. The whole qualifying session, I think went pretty well.”

It was a different story for Perez, who begins the weekend 14 points behind his teammate.

The 33-year-old Mexican, winner of last year’s race, lost control of his car at Saint Devote and slid heavily into the barriers.

He was unhurt but his car was damaged and he was unable to continue, meaning he starts at the back on a track where overtaking is notoriously difficult - even for a renowned street driver like Perez.

“It was going well,” he said. “And I was happy with the balance of my car, but in Q1 naturally you are progressing and pushing to find new limits.

“But going into the corner, I just lost the rear end quite late into the corner and because it was so late I had nowhere to go.

“So, I ended up touching the wall, which is a big mistake from my side -- and I’m very sorry for my team.

“I’m really disappointed with myself and it’s going to be a very difficult day tomorrow to do anything.

“I can’t believe what I’ve done. It just caught me by surprise and there was nothing I could do.”

— AFP