Charles Leclerc has finally won the Monaco Grand Prix after leading from start to finish in Monte Carlo on Sunday.
The occasion was initially marred by a frightening crash involving Sergio Perez and Kevin Magnussen, the former's car receiving the brunt of the damage and leading to a red flag.
Both drivers and Nico Hulkenberg walked away unscathed before Leclerc was able to successfully negotiate the remainder of the 78 laps, a race which was one-sided despite his win coming by just 7.152 seconds.
Carlos Sainz Jr secured a terrific third for Ferrari, giving them a sizeable haul for the Constructors title, with Oscar Piastri second in the McLaren.
Perez fortunate to walk away from first-lap crash
The opening lap at Monaco - one of the most intricate of the season - soon descended into chaos, with Sainz Jr initially appearing to pick up damage.
DRAMA ON THE FIRST LAP IN MONACO!
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 26, 2024
Sainz picks up damage and a MASSIVE crash between Perez and both Haas' brings out the red flag! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/LLKP4byL5I
However, the far more significant incident came down the field later in the lap, Kevin Magnussen clipping Sergio Perez's Red Bull that was brought to a standstill on one of the fastest parts of the circuit.
Both drivers, as well as Nico Hulkenberg, walked away from their respective cars unhurt, yet the trio would not continue as the race was red-flagged.
Esteban Ocon soon joined them in retiring from the race, with the remainder of it soon descending into somewhat of a precession with very little drama.
That suited Leclerc who was able to prevail at his home race having previously failed to even gain a place on the podium.
The drivers who began the race on the first five rows of the grid all finished in order, with British duo Lando Norris and George Russell in fourth and fifth respectively.
Championship leader Max Verstappen had to make do with sixth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, Yuki Tsunoda, Alexander Albon and Pierre Gasly.
Verstappen now holds a 31-point lead over Leclerc, while Sainz Jr only sits five points adrift of third-place Norris.
Darren Plant
