Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix from the pole position on Sunday, securing his first Formula 1 victory in almost two years.
Leclerc was in the lead for the third time in four years, but he had never reached the podium in his native land.
PHOTO BENOIT TESSIER, REUTERS
Charles Leclerc
His first victory since Austria in July 2022 took his career tally to six, all with Ferrari.
“Tonight is going to be a big night,” he said, on the radio to his team.
The house where he grew up overlooks the finish of the circuit, giving an indescribable character to his victory.
“There are no words to explain it,” Leclerc said. It was the race that made me want to become a Formula 1 driver. Seeing so many of my friends on the balcony, so many people I know, it’s huge for me. »
The last 15 laps were the most emotionally demanding.
“I was thinking of my father,” said Leclerc, whose father, Hervé, died last June. It was a dream for both of us for me to win a race here. It’s incredible. »
Championship leader Max Verstappen finished sixth for Red Bull, whose other driver Sergio Perez crashed out of the race after a first-lap collision.
The accident also killed Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg, and caused the race to be interrupted with a red flag for 40 minutes. The drivers were not injured.
The race resumed at 3e lap 78 and the drivers pulled away quietly but slowly, Leclerc managing his tires on a track notoriously difficult for overtaking.
Leclerc finished around eight seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and nine seconds ahead of Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz in third.
PHOTO LUCA BRUNO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
From left to right: Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz on the podium
McLaren’s Lando Norris finished fourth and Mercedes driver George Russell held off Verstappen to take fifth.
Lance Stroll of Canada scored 14e rank with Aston Martin.
A three-car collision on the first lap led to a red flag.
The right rear wheel of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was hit by the left front tire of Kevin Magnussen’s Haas car, sending Perez spinning into the guardrail.
The crash split Perez’s car almost in two and also sent Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas car spinning as he followed him.
Debris littering the track, the red flag was brought out to allow Perez’s Red Bull to be removed by a crane.
Two Alpine cars also tangled near the tunnel, with Esteban Ocon’s front nose sending teammate Pierre Gasly’s car into the air. With other cars trailing behind and the tunnel approaching, a serious accident was avoided.
Magnussen already has 10 penalty points out of a limit of 12 this season.
He could face a racing ban if he is found to have caused the accident. However, one could argue that it was a racing incident. Perez seemed to be moving when Magnussen was right behind him.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton finished seventh, driving for Mercedes.
Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls), Alex Albon (Williams) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) completed the top 10.
Check the final ranking
Consult the rankings in the drivers’ championship