Analysis for the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix by Joe Murphy
Finally, Charles Leclerc can say he has won the Monaco Grand Prix, a track he used to walk the streets of as a child dreaming of this exact moment. After qualifying on Pole Position the day prior, the procession nature of the race meant it was more likely than ever, but there was still a job to do.
And it wasn’t without merit. Oscar Piastri, who eventually crossed the line in P2, pushed the Ferrari driver practically all the way, before having to defend from the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, who had suffered an earlier puncture but had seen his position reinstated following the first lap Red Flag.
The race was seconds old. As the cars approached Casino Square, there was huge contact. Kevin Magnussen, already on thin ice in terms of points on his FIA licence, tangled with both Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenberg, as all three drivers exited the race after less than 5 corners. It was the Mexican’s car who was in the worst shape but, luckily, all of these men got out of their cars ok. The sheer amount of debris, however, led to the aforementioned Red Flag.
There was also an all-Alpine tangle. Estaban Ocon clipped teammate Pierre Gasly, although ended his own race in the process. Gasly however, would go on to score a point for his team.
There were a few clips of the wall from the likes of Sergeant and Stroll, each suffering varying degrees of damage. George Russell edged Max Verstappen on a strategy that could only work in Monaco; hold track position on much older compound tyres.
Lewis Hamilton failed in his ambitious undercut effort to overtake the championship leader, having to settle for 7th ahead of the yet again impressive Yuki Tsunoda on 8th and Alex Albon in 9th who claimed Williams’ first points of the season. However, Hamilton was able to add the fastest lap point to his collection, swapping that honour with Verstappen in the closing stages of the race.
There have been and will be more entertaining races this season in all honesty, but the margins these cars are out through on this track does make for a spectacle. As the cars increase in size, it’s only going to get more difficult, you’d imagine.
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