This time, no abandonment before the start, nor failed strategy. Starting in pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix for the third time in his career, Charles Leclerc finally won “his” race this Sunday, which he led from start to finish. Close behind Oscar Piastri for the majority of the afternoon, the Monegasque perfectly managed the pressure put on by the Australian, before creating a significant gap in the final loops to pass under the checkered flag waved by Kylian Mbappé, of return to the Principality for a weekend, with a gap of more than 7 seconds.
Monaco therefore had two princes this weekend, one among the spectators and the other on the track. Prince Albert II, who had hoped for the victory of his compatriot on Saturday and who showed his emotion on the podium, was therefore able to see Leclerc break the curse which seemed to pursue him in the Principality since his beginnings in motorsport. The impressive accident on the first lap, which involved the Red Bull of Sergio Pérez and the two Haas and caused a red flag on the first lap, allowed Leclerc to avoid going through the pit lane to change his tires.
Sainz does well, anonymous race for Verstappen
Behind Leclerc and Piastri, Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), third on the grid, was able to curb the enthusiasm of his former teammate Lando Norris (McLaren) to claim a fourth podium this season. However, the Spanish pilot did not go far from the correctional area from the first hectometers. After a good run-up, he approached the first corner alongside Piastri but a slight contact with the Australian caused a puncture on his left front wheel and sent him shooting straight into the Casino corner. The red flag and the interruption of the race saved him, allowing him to change his rubber and take the second start from 3rd place.
Starting 6th after failed qualifying, Max Verstappen finished the Grand Prix in this same place. The leader of the World Drivers’ Championship, who is now only 31 points ahead of Leclerc, even expressed his boredom on the radio, before seeing his race liven up slightly. After a pit stop to change tires, the Dutchman finally came up against George Russell (5th), hindering a potential comeback. Hamilton ranks 7th and takes the point for fastest lap in the race.
Some rififi at Alpine but one point
The weekend started positively for Alpine but everything could have gone very wrong before the end of the first lap, when Esteban Ocon overtook Pierre Gasly at the Portier corner and caused a spectacular collision between the two. Ocon’s car took off from the rear and the damage prevented him from continuing, provoking the ire of his teammate and especially his team principal Bruno Famin. Gasly was able to restart and score the point for 10th place. Valuable for Alpine after a difficult start to the season.
At Williams, we will be able to savor and celebrate this Monaco weekend. The 9th place obtained by Alexander Albon allows the Grove team to open its counter for this 2024 campaign.
