MOTORSPORT: Leclerc wins Monaco GP

Charles Leclerc has broken his home race hoodoo, dominating the Monaco Grand Prix to register his first victory of the 2024 Formula 1 season for Ferrari.

Elsewhere, Oscar Piastri broke through for his maiden podium finish of the year for McLaren, claiming second place.

In a rather processional race, it was remarkably the first time in F1 history that the top 10 qualifiers finished the race in starting grid order.

For Leclerc, the win was the first time in 93 years that a local Monegasque driver won on home soil in F1’s Blue Riband event.

“No words can explain that,” said Leclerc.

“It’s such a difficult race, I think the fact that twice I’ve been starting on pole position and we couldn’t quite make it makes it even better in a way.

“It was a difficult race emotionally because already 15 laps to the end, you’re just hoping that nothing happens, already the emotions were coming.

“I have to say that I was thinking to my dad a lot more than what I thought while driving. Obviously he’s given everything for me to be here and it was a dream of ours for me to race here and to win, so it’s unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, for Piastri, the third podium of his young F1 career came on its biggest stage.

“Thanks to the whole team. It’s been a great weekend all round and nice to finally put a result on the board,” said Piastri.

“I feel like we’ve been very strong for the last few weekends but didn’t really have the result to show for it, so it’s nice to have a podium and what better place?”

The race started in sensational circumstances when Kevin Magnussen (Haas) came into contact with Sergio Perez (Red Bull), with the ensuing melee taking out the second Haas of Nico Hulkenberg.

The trio were battling at the tail of the field after Perez was knocked out in Q1, while the Haas duo was scrubbed from the qualifying results after a rear wing irregularity.

With the wall damaged and the track covered in debris, the red flag cam out and offered the ultimate reprieve for Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), who suffered a flat tyre after contact with Piastri exiting the first turn.

He was able to limp back to the pits and restart from third.

Elsewhere on the opening circuit, the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon came into contact, with Ocon briefly becoming airborne before retiring.

A quirk of the rules allowed the teams to switch tyre compounds during the stoppage, which in essence paved the way for a race largely free from pit stops, removing one of the team’s key tactical tools.

McLaren, however, worked hard to take advantage of a stop and make a gap, however, Ferrari countered its efforts to manage the pace of the race throughout.

At the finish, Leclerc drew out a 7sec advantage over Piastri, then Sainz, Lando Norris (McLaren), and George Russell (Mercedes), who battled to keep championship leader Max Verstappen (Red Bull) at bay throughout.

Rounding out the points finishers were Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Yuki Tsunoda (RB), Alex Albon (Williams) and Gasly, while Daniel Ricciardo held station in 12th.

Following a weekend off, F1 continues with the Canadian Grand Prix on June 9.

* Meanwhile in Indianapolis, polesitter Scott McLaughlin was in the thick of the action throughout the Indy 500, leading on seven occasions before settling for sixth at the chequered flag.

McLaughlin’s Team Penske stablemate Josef Newgarden claimed victory in the thrilling encounter, with an audacious last-lap pass on Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward sealing his second consecutive title.

2024 Monaco Grand Prix results:

2024 Formula 1 championship standings:

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