The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix made a piece of history that may never be repeated.
On Sunday afternoon, all eyes were on the Circuit de Monaco as local hero Charles Leclerc won his home race for the first time in his career.
The Ferrari star crossed the finish line seven seconds ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz came third.
Famed for being extremely hard to overtake, the Monaco Grand Prix delivered a dramatic first lap as the race was red-flagged on the back of a huge crash involving Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg.
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After the race, it emerged that this year’s Monaco Grand Prix made a piece of Formula 1 history that may never happen again.
As per F1 host and statistician Sean Kelly, who wrote on social media: “The top ten finish in starting grid order for the first time in F1 history. No previous F1 race had ever seen more than the top six drivers finish in the positions they started.”
During the race, reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen vented his frustration on his team radio. He said: “F**k me, this is boring. Should've brought my pillow.”
Speaking after the race, Verstappen doubled down on his ‘boring’ claims. The Dutchman told Sky Sports: “We just finished where we started. The strategy got ruined in the red flag.
“From Lap One on the restart it was driving four seconds off the pace and chill. No work out whatsoever. Just really, really boring.”
Meanwhile, an emotional Leclerc said: “No words can explain that. It's such a difficult race, I think the fact twice I've been starting on pole position and we couldn't quite make it makes it even better in a way.
“It means a lot, obviously. It's the race which made me dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver one day.”
He added: “Fifteen laps to the end you're hoping nothing happens and the emotions are coming.
“My dad has given everything for me to be here and it was a dream of ours for me to race here and win here, so it's unbelievable.”
F1 returns in two weeks’ time with the Canadian Grand Prix, which will take place around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 9.
Topics: Formula 1, Charles Leclerc
Marcus Chan