Charles Leclerc snaps curse and wins Monaco Grand Prix after opening lap carnage

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez will be left counting his lucky stars after a horror incident unfolded on the first lap at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Opening lap carnage unfolds in Monaco

Charles Leclerc has ended his Monaco curse after claiming the chequered flag ahead of Australia’s Oscar Piastri.

The Monegasque driver has endured a horror run around his home Grand Prix, but it was euphoric scenes on Monday (AEST).

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Leclerc was never troubled as the top five drivers made their way around the circuit for 75 laps without a pit stop.

His win snaps his ugly streak around the famous street circuit that has seen him twice claim pole position, but never finishing on the podium.

In 2021 an issue saw him taken out of the race on his way to the grid while a strategy nightmare ruined his race in 2022.

But in 2024 it was a walk in the park as he crossed well clear ahead of Piastri and Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz.

Lando Norris fought hard but wasn’t able to get onto the podium and had to settle for a fourth placed finish.

“Yessssss, yesss,” Leclerc shouted over the team radio after crossing the finish line.

“Tonight is going to be a big night.”

HE’S DONE IT!!!! 🏆

CHARLES LECLERC WINS THE MONACO GRAND PRIX 🤍❤️#F1#MonacoGPpic.twitter.com/apYVBf2TKU

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 26, 2024

The race was brought to a standstill on the opening lap when carnage unfolded at the back of the grid.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez tangled with Haas’ Kevin Magnussen and slammed into the barrier before Magnussen’s car drove him into harder into a barrier further down the road.

“That is a monster of an accident,” Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle said

Fellow Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg attempted to squeeze past the incident, but got caught up with all three drivers out of the race on the opening lap.

These angles of Sergio Perez's crash during Lap 1 of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix 👀

He was able to walk away from the wreck. pic.twitter.com/HiZjWCfTAE

— ESPN (@espn) May 26, 2024

Shortly after the nightmare incident the red flag was waved as all drivers returned to the grid as we now await the restart.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the crash, Magnussen said: “I think it’s something they (the stewards) will look at.

“It’s a big crash, from my point of view I was there and I got squeezed to the wall.”

The brutal collision brought about the red flag and saw the race halted for around half an hour as track marshalls went to work repairing the barrier.

Moments before the red flag was waved both Alpine drivers became tangled up as Esteban Ocon attempted an audacious move on the final turn before the tunnel.

The impact of the incident ruined Ocon’s car and his day with four drivers eliminated before the first lap had been run.

Ocon gets some air.

12.50am - Not a single overtake in 50 laps

We’ve seen drivers get close to those in front, but through the first 50 laps no a single overtake has unfolded.

The top four are all sitting around 1-2 seconds behind one another with George Russell a long way back in fifth.

So far back in fact that McLaren were contemplating a free stop for Lando Norris to make a big push over the final stages of the race.

Lewis Hamilton became the first of the top seven to make a pit stop, moving off the medium tyres onto the hards.

The very next lap, Max Verstappen went into the pits which could now force the hand of Russell.

12.15am - Pit stop strategies are out the window

The early red flag has removed any potential strategy battles from this race with the front four on hard tyres more than likely going to the end.

All drivers are well below the usual lap times we’re used to seeing with tyre management a key factor.

George Russell in fifth place was urgent to get a move on shortly after the restart, but quickly reeled it back in and has since fallen behind Lando Norris in fourth by over 12 seconds.

The big battle now becomes if Charles Leclerc can finally win on his home circuit and snap his Monaco curse having been on pole in 2021 and 2022 and losing the race.

11.55pm - Underway and it’s been clean

We’re back racing and the cars are making their way around without any incidents unfolding ... for the time being.

Charles Leclerc remains out in front with Oscar Piastri sticking close while holding off Carlos Sainz behind.

Lando Norris has dropped behind the front three by close to three seconds as the leaders dance away from the field.

It appears as though every driver is eyeing off not stopping for the rest of the race with tyre management a focal point over team radio.

11.33pm - Race restart in 10 minutes

The race will get back underway at 11:44pm (AEST) with the grid reforming going off the second safety car line which they had all passed before the red flags were waved.

11.20pm - Opening lap chaos unfolds

As the drivers made their way up the hill on the opening lap, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was tagged and slammed into the barriers.

The brutal nature of the incident saw his car torn to shreds as he bounced off the wall following a collision with Haas’ Kevin Magnussen.

“That is a monster of an accident,” Sky Sports’ Martin Brundle said

Fellow Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg attempted to squeeze past the incident, but got caught up with all three drivers out of the race on the opening lap.

These angles of Sergio Perez's crash during Lap 1 of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix 👀

He was able to walk away from the wreck. pic.twitter.com/HiZjWCfTAE

— ESPN (@espn) May 26, 2024

Shortly after the nightmare incident the red flag was waved as all drivers returned to the grid as we now await the restart.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the crash, Magnussen said: “I think it’s something they (the stewards) will look at.

“It’s a big crash, from my point of view I was there and I got squeezed to the wall.”

Opening lap carnage unfolds in Monaco

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz got off the grid strongly, but couldn’t make his way past Australia’s Oscar Piastri as he attempted to squeeze up the inside on the opening turn.

Slight contact between the pair unfolded which resulted in Sainz picking up a puncture and being forced into a run off area. Thankfully for Ferrari the red flag came before all cars had completed the opening sector, meaning he would restart in third spot.

While all eyes were on the three car crash, Alpine duo Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon came together just before entering the tunnel after Ocon attempted to squeeze his teammate out.

The incident ultimately cost Ocon his day moments before the red flag was waved.

Originally published as Charles Leclerc snaps curse and wins Monaco Grand Prix after opening lap carnage