‘There are no words’: dismal Monaco F1 Grand Prix for Charles Leclerc, Daniel Ricciardo

Poor strategic decisions cost Ferrari star a home grand prix podium as things go from bad to worse for Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo.

Ferrari’s Monegasque star Charles Leclerc drives in the pit lane during the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix. Picture: AFP

Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, who started his home Monaco F1 grand prix on pole, inexplicably failed to finish in the top three after poor strategic decisions by the Ferrari team in a chaotic and rain-affected race overnight (AEST).

Instead it was Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, who took the lead with an early change of tyre in the slippery conditions, who won the glitzy race ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

A furious Leclerc told the team on the radio “there are no words, we cannot do that” as the street track’s “Leclerc curse” continued. The Ferrari driver has never won in Monaco: he had a crash in 2019 and then last year he badly damaged his car after guaranteeing pole position and couldn’t get to the start line.

Confusion then frustration for Charles 😖#MonacoGP#F1pic.twitter.com/KaAlH2NP5F

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 29, 2022

This year, Leclerc did everything right by qualifying on pole on a track at which it is notoriously difficult to overtake, but bad decisions by his team proved extremely costly. Ferrari badly timed a tyre change and then called both Leclerc and Sainz into the pits at the same time. The double stacking cost Leclerc at least one place.

“It was a freaking disaster today,” Leclerc said.

“The win was clearly in our hands, we had the performance, we had everything. I just don’t really understand the call that I had and I need explanations for now.”

Confirmation of the points scorers 👀#MonacoGP#F1pic.twitter.com/Mr9mT6aoWp

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 29, 2022

Another driver with a miserable day was Australian Daniel Ricciardo, who finished 13th, again well down on his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who was sixth. Ricciardo said it felt a long time since 2018 when he won the Monaco race.

“The bottom line is that it was not a strong weekend, not strong enough to make an impact on anyone around us,” 32-year-old Ricciardo said.

The only good news circulating in the paddock for the highly paid Australian, who faces being dropped from the McLaren line-up after an underwhelming two seasons, is that Aston Martin may be interested in keeping him in F1 if Sebastian Vettel retires.

Chequered flag in Monaco. 🏁

Smooth drive from Lando to secure good points for the team. Overtaking was a challenge today which meant Daniel unfortunately misses out on points. 🇲🇨#MonacoGPpic.twitter.com/VkR1MD6w1j

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) May 29, 2022

But it was Ferrari’s costly errors that dominated the news out of the Monaco race, which was shortened to 66 laps after a heavy downpour just before the scheduled start.

Organisers then had to deal with flooding impacting their timing system and it was decided to have a rolling start under a safety car because the conditions on the grid were varied from the front to the back.

Verstappen wasn’t impressed by the decision and others like Pierre Gasly and Vettel also believed that professional drivers should be capable to handle all weather conditions, with the rolling start depriving the race of a dramatic beginning.

A dramatic crash for Mick Schumacher

Watch all the key moments from a dramatic race 🎥#MonacoGP#F1

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 29, 2022

Even still, Haas’ Mick Schumacher was lucky to walk away uninjured after his car spun 360 degrees and crashed into the wall, splitting into two after the impact.

Throughout the race, drivers struggled to control lockups and avoid sliding into the barriers.

Perez, who held Sainz at bay for more than 30 laps on blistered tyres, said: “It’s a dream come true, as a driver you dream of winning here. After your home race, there is no more special weekend. With the graining (of the tyres), to not make any mistakes, to keep Carlos behind was not easy. It’s a massive day for myself and my country.”

"Drop the pool video." 😍💦 #MonacoGP 🇲🇨 pic.twitter.com/uZViZIZEDr

— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) May 29, 2022

Verstappen maintains his lead in the drivers championship, something he was not expecting from the second row on the grid.

“I did the best I could after yesterday (qualifying). I think as a team we did a really good job with the strategy, it was a very hectic one but I think we executed it well and I extended my points lead which I didn’t expect,” Verstappen said.