Results still contested in Monte Carlo Hearing, but Kimi undeniable…

By Isabella Priestley

Kimi Antonelli took his fifth Formula 1 victory this weekend in Monaco, with a dominating performance across the street circuit. Behind him, was the seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, obtaining his third podium with Ferrari. Isack Hadjar claimed two places throughout the race to clutch a third place trophy for Red Bull. 

The opening lap was strong for Antonelli, who got off the line rapidly and led the opening lap for the first time this season. Max Verstappen, however, wasn’t so lucky and stalled before being forced to retire his car only a lap later. Charles Leclerc also had a successful start, with a Mclaren battle not far behind him. 

In true Monaco fashion, the race order stayed unchanged for a number of laps. Lap 14 saw Oli Bearman reporting his race as ‘over’ and bringing the car back to the Haas garage, then Bottas retiring on lap 18. All the while, Hadjar noted gear problems with his car and had the Mercedes of George Russell chasing him. The current World Champion, Lando Norris, and Pierre Gasly battled for seventh place, with the Mclaren driver itching for the overtake. Bearman eventually retired on lap 29.

On lap 34, Hamilton was given a five second time penalty for speeding. George Russell was the second to receive the penalty, shortly after his teammate celebrated a clean stop to maintain the lead. Antonelli gained a sixteen second gap on Hamilton, cruising for his fifth consecutive win. Franco Colapinto was noted for speeding in the pit lane on lap 41; this is where heads began to turn and questions arose. 

Antonelli continued to cruise through the streets of Monaco, while Norris called his day done on lap 46 due to power-unit issues. Nine laps later, Oscar Piastri is the last driver to be penalised for speeding in the pit lane, and the race is yellow flagged due to Stroll hitting the barriers at the final corner.

Both Ferrari drivers capitalise on the safety car, allowing Hamilton to serve his penalty and Leclerc switch to the soft compound (Hamilton does the same). Both drivers come out second and third. Both Mercedes drivers follow suit, with Antonelli continuing on in first and Russell coming out just behind Hadjar to take fifth place. The remaining Mclaren driver of Piastri takes his penalty also, who is spat back out in seventh just behind Pierre Gasly, who opted to not pit. 

Amongst the drama of the safety car, George Russell is noted for not serving his five second penalty correctly. Straight after the restart, Leclerc finds himself off at the same place as Lance Stroll, causing the race to be red flagged. After some investigation on lap 68, a problem with the tarmac is found at the final corner. With Leclerc out of the race, the grid stands at Antonelli, Hamilton, and Hadjar on the provisional podium. Gasly was also handed a five second penalty for speeding in the pit lane under the safety car, with Hamilton and Hadjar under investigation for a safety car infringement. Hamilton was found not guilty of any infringements, leaving him in the clear for the remainder of the race.

A mere five laps from the end, George Russell pulls away to serve his new drive-through penalty, which left Gasly in his podium place. However, he also had penalties to serve, which pulled the podium position out of his grasp.

With the penalties counted and cars over the line, Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, and Isack Hadjar stood proud on the podium and marked another hectic Monaco Grand Prix.