Charles Leclerc finally clinched that elusive home win at the Monaco GP, which was red flagged early on after a crash involving Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg. With this, Leclerc becomes the fourth different race winner this year. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished second, followed by Carlos Sainz, handing Ferrari a double podium finish.
- Leclerc wins, 7.152secs ahead of Piastri
- Verstappen finishes P6
- Magnussen escapes penalty
Monaco GP: First lap drama
The race was red flagged after just a few corners as Magnussen collided with Perez on Beau Rivage, taking out his Haas teammate Hulkenberg in the process. Magnussen escaped a race ban, with stewards deciding to not take any further action.
Out at the front of the field, Sainz picked up a puncture following light contact with Piastri. Luckily for the Spaniard, the red flag gave Ferrari enough time to repair his car, and he re-joined the grid in third place.
Both Alpine drivers also collided on the opening lap as Esteban Ocon tried to pass Pierre Gasly. Ocon, who had to retire as a result of the incident, has been handed a five-place grid penalty for Canada.
Leclerc wins Monaco GP
Leclerc successfully fended off Piastri at the restart and went on to take a fairly comfortable victory on home soil. He becomes the first Monegasque driver in 93 years to win the Monaco GP.
"It’s such a difficult race, I think the fact that twice I’ve been starting on pole position and we couldn’t quite make it makes it even better in a way. It means a lot, obviously,” said an emotional Leclerc.
"It’s the race that made me dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver one day. It was a difficult race emotionally because already 15 laps to the end you’re just hoping that nothing happens; already the emotions were coming. I have to say that I was thinking about my dad a lot more than what I thought while driving. Obviously he’s given everything for me to be here, and it was a dream of ours for me to race here and to win, so it’s unbelievable."
Piastri held off a late challenge from Sainz to finish second, 7.152secs behind Leclerc. Miami GP winner Lando Norris finished fourth in the other McLaren, followed by Mercedes driver George Russell, who was running an upgraded front wing this weekend.
Verstappen finishes P6
Max Verstappen wrapped up a challenging weekend for Red Bull in sixth place. This is his worst result so far this season, barring his Australian GP retirement. Speaking after qualifying, the Dutchman said navigating the RB20 over the bumps and kerbs at Monaco was like “driving on a knife’s edge”.
Lewis Hamilton ended up P7 for Mercedes, ahead of RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Williams’ Alex Albon. Pierre Gasly finished P10, collecting his first point this season.
2024 F1 championship standings
Despite Red Bull’s recent difficulties, Verstappen still holds a 31-point lead over Leclerc in the championship. Norris is third overall, and is 25 points behind Leclerc.
F1 will now head to Montreal for the Canadian GP between June 7 and 9.
2024 Monaco GP results
Dipan Sur
