Charles Leclerc has at last triumphed at the Monaco Grand Prix. While it may not have been the most exciting race in Formula 1 history, the Grand Prix certainly delivered a shock in the very first lap. The event was a success for both Ferrari and McLaren, yet it proved to be an absolute disaster for Red Bull. Here’s a rundown of the winners and losers from the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hit: Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc dominated the event, securing pole position and leading the race from start to finish. This victory marked his sixth Grand Prix win in 39 races and a podium finish on his home ground. Leclerc had a strong start to the weekend, leading Free Practice 2 and 3 on Friday. Although the McLaren drivers initially seemed poised to lead the grid, Leclerc leveraged his home advantage in Q3, setting the fastest lap. This win brings him within 31 points of championship leader Max Verstappen.
Hit: Oscar Piastri
It was a whirlwind of a weekend for McLaren’s Oscar Piastri as he was second fastest in Q1, third fastest in Q2, started second on the grid and finished second on race day. Before the Monaco Grand Prix, Piastri had only beaten his teammate Lando Norris once in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. The Australian racer also managed to keep Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz at bay as he secured second place. This is Piastri’s second season in F1 and he equalled his previous best outing at Qatar in his debut year in 2023.
Hit: Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz has emerged as one of the most consistent racers this season, not finishing below the top five. Despite the first-lap chaos that resulted in a puncture, a red flag allowed him to pit and replace the tyres without losing his third-place position. Caught between pressure from Norris and the pursuit of second place from Piastri, Sainz managed to secure his third podium finish in Monaco after a streak of three consecutive fifth places.
Miss: Haas and Serio Perez
The action peaked on lap one, turn two, where Haas’ Kevin Magnussen collided with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez while attempting an inside-line overtake. Perez lost control and crashed into the side barriers, rebounding into Nico Hulkenberg’s path. Fortunately, all three drivers were unharmed. The race stewards reviewed the incident and deemed it a racing accident. In a discussion with Sky Germany, Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko stated the cost of Perez’s damaged car to be between $2 and $3 million.
Miss: Esteban Ocon
It is understood in the world of motorsports that your teammate is your first rival. Esteban Ocon took it to the next level as he decided to make an ambitious move on his teammate Pierre Gasly while nearing the Monaco tunnel. Ocon hit Gasly’s car which launched him in the air. Due to this move, the Frenchman was handed a five-place grid penalty. This is not the first time as Ocon has a history of colliding with his teammates.