Formula 1’s 2024 Monaco Grand Prix Race Review

Charles Leclerc finally wins his Home Race

The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix at the prestigious Circuit de Monaco was a race filled with excitement and high drama, and this year marked a special occasion for Charles Leclerc, who clinched a long-awaited home victory, becoming the first driver born in Monaco to win the Grand Prix in 93 years. The emotional triumph brought Prince Albert of Monaco to tears as the home crowd erupted in celebration. The race also highlighted a significant shift in the competitive landscape of Formula 1.

Red Bull’s dominance appears to be fading as McLaren and Ferrari put tremendous pressure on them, indicating that the championships are far from being secure for Red Bull.

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Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying

Qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix is always a spectacle, and 2024 was no exception. Charles Leclerc secured pole position, delighting his home fans and setting the stage for a thrilling race. The Ferrari driver demonstrated incredible skill and precision on the tight, winding streets of Monte Carlo, clocking a blistering lap time that no one could match.

Oscar Piastri of McLaren put in an impressive performance to secure second place on the grid, narrowly edging out Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari, who completed the top three. The session was not without its surprises, as several drivers struggled to find their rhythm. Both Haas cars were disqualified due to rear-wing infractions, relegating them to the back of the grid and setting up a challenging race day for Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg.

Monaco Grand Prix Race Day

Race Start

As the lights went out, Leclerc made a clean getaway, holding his lead from pole position. Piastri maintained second place, while Sainz slotted into third. However, the race was immediately disrupted by a massive collision involving Sergio Perez’s Red Bull and the two Haas cars, bringing out the red flags before the first lap was even completed. The crash ended the race for Perez, Magnussen, and Hulkenberg, forcing a lengthy pause as track stewards repaired the barriers.

Restart

When the race resumed, Leclerc again took control, maintaining his lead ahead of Piastri and Sainz. Esteban Ocon was another casualty of the early chaos, retiring his Alpine after a collision with teammate Pierre Gasly. This reshuffle saw George Russell in the Mercedes move up the order, closely followed by Max Verstappen.

By lap 16, Leclerc had extended his lead to over two seconds, but the battle behind him was intense. Piastri, running a strong race, was constantly under pressure from Sainz, who in turn was being chased by Lando Norris in the second McLaren. Meanwhile, Russell, Hamilton, and Verstappen engaged in a fierce fight for the remaining top positions, with Russell managing to fend off the advances of Verstappen.

The pit stops, always crucial in Monaco, began around lap 30. Leclerc, Piastri, and Sainz opted for a single-stop strategy, switching to hard tires in an attempt to run to the end of the race. The strategy paid off as they maintained their positions, with Leclerc continuing to lead.

Final Laps

Leclerc maintained his composure and continued to lead comfortably, with Piastri and Sainz following. In the final laps, the top three cars remained close, but there were no significant changes in position. Leclerc crossed the finish line to take an emotional home victory, his first in Monaco, followed by Piastri and Sainz, who completed the podium. Lando Norris finished a solid fourth, holding off George Russell, who secured fifth place and the fastest lap.

Max Verstappen, unable to make significant progress in the race, settled for sixth. Lewis Hamilton followed in seventh, marking a solid but unspectacular race for Mercedes. Yuki Tsunoda delivered a commendable performance for Red Bull, finishing eighth. Alex Albon continued to impress with Williams, taking ninth place, while Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten for Alpine, overcoming the early collision to secure a points finish.

Key Moments

• Leclerc’s Victory: Charles Leclerc’s long-awaited home win in Monaco was the highlight of the race. His flawless drive and strategic acumen secured him a memorable victory.
• Piastri’s Strong Performance: Oscar Piastri’s second-place finish showcased his talent and the growing competitiveness of McLaren.
• Sainz’s Consistency: Carlos Sainz’s podium finish added to Ferrari’s successful weekend, marking a double podium for the team.
• Early Collision: The dramatic crash involving Sergio Perez and the Haas cars set the tone for a race filled with strategy and skill.
• Russell’s Defence: George Russell’s ability to hold off Verstappen was a testament to Mercedes’ resilience and strategic planning.

The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix was a testament to the excitement and unpredictability of Formula 1. Leclerc’s home victory, intense battles, and strategic decisions made it a race to remember. Fans can look forward to more thrilling races and fierce competition as the season progresses. Next, Formula 1 will travel to Canada for the Montreal Grand Prix from June 6 to 9, promising another exciting chapter in this year’s championship.

2024 Monaco Grand Prix Final Standings

RANK	DRIVER	COUNTRY	TEAM	FASTEST LAP
1	CHARLES LECLERC	MONACO	FERRARI
2	OSCAR PIASTRI	AUSTRALIA	MCLAREN
3	CARLOS SAINZ JR	SPAIN	FERRARI
4	LANDO NORRIS	BRITAIN	MCLAREN
5	GEORGE RUSSEL	BRITAIN	MERCEDES
6	MAX VERSTAPPEN	NETHERLANDS	RED BULL
7	LEWIS HAMILTON	BRITAIN	MERCEDES	1:14.165
8	YUKI TSUNODA	JAPAN	RB
9	ALEXANDER ALBON	THAILAND	WILLIAMS
10	PIERRE GASLY	FRANCE	ALPINE
11	FERNANDO ALONSO	SPAIN	ASTON MARTIN
12	DANIEL RICCIARDO	AUSTRALIA	RB
13	VALTERRI BOTTAS	FINLAND	SAUBER
14	LANCE STROLL	CANADA	ASTON MARTIN
15	LOGAN SARGEANT	UNITED STATES	WILLIAMS
16	ZHOU GUANYU	CHINA	SAUBER
RETIRED	ESTEBAN OCON- LAP 1	FRANCE	ALPINE
RETIRED	SERGIO PEREZ LAP 1	MEXICO	RED BULL
RETIRED	NIKO HULKENBERG LAP 1	GERMANY	HAAS
RETIRED	KEVIN MAGNUSSEN LAP 1	DENMARK	HAAS

Sources

• Formula 1 Qualifying Report
• Formula 1 Race Report