Charles Le Clerc (X)
Charles Leclerc has finally taken victory in the Monaco Grand Prix, having enjoyed a mostly serene drive to P1 in front of his home fans despite early drama playing out at the start.
The red flags were thrown before the first lap of the iconic event had even been completed after a huge collision between Sergio Perez’s Red Bull and the two Haas cars of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, putting all three out of the running.
Leclerc led away cleanly when proceedings were restarted, minus Esteban Ocon, who was forced to retire following heavy contact with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly on Lap 1, as a race of strategy played out, with all eyes on whether the leading cars would pit or make it to the end of the event.
But throughout it all, the Ferrari driver kept a cool head and remained ahead of his rivals to take his first win on the streets of Monte Carlo, beating his previous best result of P4.
Leclerc crossed the line seven seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri, who put in an assured drive in the McLaren and held off a late challenge from Carlos Sainz, with the Spaniard making it a double Ferrari podium in third.
BEST DAY EVER ??????
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) May 26, 2024
Thank you for everything, I love you all ?????????????????? pic.twitter.com/7uBoKnNtwi
Hugs from Prince Albert on the podium ????#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/umaY1lWetV
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 26, 2024
Max Verstappen
Verstappen had to settle for sixth position at the end of a challenging Monaco Grand Prix weekend for himself and Red Bull marking the first time he has finished a race off the podium all season.
Verstappen returned to the Principality having won five of the seven Grands Prix held up to that point, but he was quick to predict a “more difficult” event on the tight, twisty streets of Monte Carlo.
Verstappen’s hopes of making progress on race day were dented when an early red flag scuppered his strategy of starting on the more durable hard tyres, rather than the more aggressive mediums.
