Monaco Magic: A Thrilling Recap of the 2024 Grand Prix
Welcome to the first post on F1 Femme Force! The Monaco Grand Prix, renowned for its glamour and challenges, delivered a weekend full of excitement. Buckle up as we dive into the key moments and standout performances from this year's race.
Key Moments
Charles Leclerc's Historic Win
Cue the confetti! It's about time! Charles Leclerc finally snagged his first Monaco Grand Prix victory, becoming the first Monegasque winner in 93 years. This win snapped his 39-race dry spell and shot him to second in the drivers’ championship. It was a heartwarming scene, with tears flowing from both Leclerc and Prince Albert.
“It was not in doubt that he was under pressure with this. But it’s not just about Monaco, I think probably for his own self-confidence and for the approach he has at all the other events, Charles will do a step forward for sure,”says Fred Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal.
This puts an end to the Leclerc curse at Monaco.
Sergio Perez's Disappointing Weekend
Ouch, what a rough ride for Sergio Perez. A poor qualifying session followed by a first-lap crash with both Haas cars led to his first retirement of the season. I audibly screamed when I saw the crash. He was lucky to walk away with the car a mangled mess except for the chassis. After analyzing the crash its hard to tell who is to blame. It was too easy to hurl blame at Kevin Magnussen, only we can see Checo check his mirrors. He knew the Haas driver was there. For an experienced driver like Checo its very difficult to chalk this up to the idea that he didn't see him. Will this bumpy weekend impact his chances of re-signing with Red Bull next year? Only time will tell.
Oscar Piastri Shines for McLaren
Oscar Piastri was on fire! Starting from the front row and finishing second, he secured McLaren’s best finish in Monaco since 2008. Piastri's performance was a breath of fresh air, showcasing his rising talent. The past two races in Miami and Emila-Romagna has looked promising for the young driver, but only to end in him taking a backseat to teammate Lando Norris' success.
Norris could have taken 3rd on the podium if not for the red flag from the Haas/RedBull accident. Carlos Sainz's Ferrari suffered damage early in the first lap and Lando took 3rd. But the stewards reset the grid and Lando lost his 3rd place spot when the race restarted.
“When you think of it in just a blunt way, it is frustrating and unfair, that because someone makes a mistake and because of a certain amount of cars or whatever, whatever the rule is, didn't cross the line before the red flag and blah, blah, that he gets to undo that mistake and gets a free pit stop. It's unfair," Norris said, frustrated.
Could this be bad blood for the F1's favorite besties?
Haas Team's Early Exit
Double trouble for Haas as both drivers retired on the first lap after a collision with Perez. Kevin Magnussen’s close shave with a race ban and Nico Hulkenberg’s unfortunate exit (he was a bystander in the whole affair) spelled disaster for the team. Future challenges loom large, especially with the cost cap tightening the screws. It leaves me wondering what the phone call from Gene Haas was like after that race.
Carlos Sainz's Resilience
Carlos Sainz proved his mettle, bouncing back from early setbacks to clinch a podium finish. The stewards' decision to return his 3rd place position after the red flag from Checo’s crash stirred some controversy. Nonetheless, Sainz's ability to follow team orders and navigate the race effectively was top-notch, even as he faces an uncertain future.
“Carlos did exactly the same job, and that was even more difficult because we asked him to stay not too far away off [Oscar] Piastri to cover a potential Safety Car, but to also slow down [Lando] Norris for [George] Russell,” said Vasseur.
Esteban Ocon's Aggressive Move
Talk about drama! Esteban Ocon’s aggressive move on teammate Pierre Gasly on the first lap was a major WTF moment. Not only did it force him out of the race, but it also hindered Gasly’s efforts. Ocon’s antics earned him a five-place grid penalty for the Canadian GP and might even cost him his seat.
“We have a lot of damage on the car. The left-rear suspension is bent, the gearbox casing is damaged. We're changing the whole gearbox, it's a huge amount of work," says Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin.
Verstappen's Struggles
Max Verstappen had a rare off day, finishing in P6—his first race off the podium this season. Despite predicting a tough race, the RB20's performance on Monaco's tight circuit left much to be desired. Its the second week in a row that Verstappen has struggled with the RB20. An early red flag threw a wrench in his strategy, highlighting areas Red Bull needs to fix pronto or they risk losing Max during silly season.
Technical Insights
With the red flag waving before the first lap was completed, teams dove into the pits for repairs and tire changes early. This led to a rather uneventful race, with the top 10 cars sticking to their starting grid positions. Yawn.
Standout Performances
Yuki Tsunoda impressed with a strong drive to P8, I'm glad to see Yuki doing well, but I still think its a rough idea to put him in Red Bull next year. While Alex Albon brought home Williams' first points of the season after signing a multi-year contract with the team. George Russell’s tire management was also a bright spot, showcasing his skill even in a less-than-ideal outcome for Mercedes.
Atmosphere and Fan Engagement
Monaco was buzzing with energy, as fans and celebrities added to the glitz and glamour. Leclerc’s victory celebration was a standout, with fans flooding social media with their support for the local hero. The whole weekend was one big party!
Facts and Stats
Leclerc’s win marked the first Monaco victory by a Monegasque driver since 1931.
This race saw the top 10 finish in their starting grid order, a rare occurrence.
Ferrari achieved their 10th win in Monaco, while Leclerc ended a 39-race winless streak.
Oscar Piastri matched his career-best finish, and McLaren had their best result in Monaco since 2008.
Looking Ahead
As the season heats up, the battle for the championship is getting fierce. The next race in Montreal promises more thrills and spills. Can Leclerc keep his momentum? Will Red Bull bounce back? Stay tuned to F1 Femme Force for all the juicy details.
