Charles Leclerc broke his winless streak by triumphing at the Monaco Grand Prix, defeating McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in a race that began with a dramatic first-lap crash. This victory on home soil marks Leclerc’s first win since July 2022 and his first Monaco GP win, as Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz secured third place.
Leclerc’s Commanding Victory
Leclerc, starting from pole position, maintained his lead from the start, despite early pressure from Piastri. The Ferrari driver capitalized on the chaos of the opening lap to secure a lights-to-flag victory. Sainz finished third, with McLaren’s Lando Norris just behind in fourth.
Verstappen’s Championship Lead Narrows
Max Verstappen finished sixth, sandwiched between the Mercedes of George Russell (fifth) and Lewis Hamilton (seventh). This result reduced Verstappen’s championship lead over Leclerc to 31 points. Ferrari’s strong performance narrowed the gap with Red Bull in the constructors’ standings to 24 points after eight rounds.
First-Lap Mayhem
The race was immediately halted by a red flag following a significant crash between Kevin Magnussen, Sergio Perez, and Nico Hulkenberg at Turn One. Fortunately, all drivers emerged unscathed despite the high-speed collision.
Red Flag Strategy Shuffle
The red flag allowed teams to change tires, adhering to the regulation of using two different compounds. Ferraris and McLarens switched to hard tires, while Russell, Verstappen, and Hamilton moved to mediums. The restart saw no changes in the top 10 positions, which remained stable for the rest of the race.
Key Moments
- Leclerc’s Start: Leclerc’s clean start and strategic pace management helped him fend off Piastri’s initial challenge.
- Piastri’s Pursuit: Piastri made a brief attempt to overtake at Portier but couldn’t maintain pressure on Leclerc as the race progressed.
- Sainz’s Battle: Sainz, after benefiting from the red flag, defended his position against Norris, securing his fourth podium of the year.
- Verstappen’s Struggle: Verstappen, unable to overtake Russell, finished sixth, expressing frustration over the strategy impacted by the red flag.
Reactions from the Podium
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari – 1st:
“No words can explain that. It’s such a difficult race, especially after previous pole positions here that didn’t convert to wins. This victory means a lot, especially on home soil. My dad’s dream was for me to race and win here, so this is unbelievable.”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren – 2nd:
“Tricky race. The pace was slow at the start. I had a look before the tunnel but couldn’t find the gap. Thanks to the team for a great weekend. I’m happy with P2, it’s a good result for us.”
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari – 3rd:
“It was tight, with a bad feeling after the first lap, but getting reinstated to P3 was great. The race pace was good, but overtaking is impossible here. I’m incredibly happy for Charles winning his home Grand Prix, and sharing the podium is fantastic for the team.”
Final Thoughts
Leclerc’s win at Monaco not only ended his personal drought but also boosted Ferrari’s morale and standings. The dramatic race, marked by the first-lap crash and strategic tire changes, showcased the unpredictability and excitement of F1 racing. As the season progresses, the battle for the championship remains intense.
Monaco GP Result
| Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 2:23:15.554 |
| 2) Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +7.152 |
| 3) Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +7.585 |
| 4) Lando Norris | McLaren | +8.650 |
| 5) George Russell | Mercedes | +13.309 |
| 6) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +13.853 |
| 7) Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +14.908 |
| 8) Yuki Tsunoda | RB | +1 lap |
| 9) Alex Albon | Williams | +1 lap |
| 10) Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1 lap |
| 11) Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +2 laps |
| 12) Daniel Ricciardo | RB | +2 laps |
| 13) Valtteri Bottas | Sauber | +2 laps |
| 14) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +2 laps |
| 15) Logan Sargeant | Williams | +2 laps |
| 16) Zhou Guanyu | Sauber | +2 laps |
| 17) Esteban Ocon | Alpine | DNF |
| 18) Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | DNF |
| 19) Sergio Perez | Red Bull | DNF |
| 20) Kevin Magnussen | Haas | DNF |
Credit: SkySports
