Monaco Grand Prix witnessed an electrifying and chaotic start, marked by dramatic collisions and a red flag within moments of the lights going out.
As the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix kicked off, it seemed like a smooth start for pole-sitter Charles Leclerc, who navigated through Sainte Devote with ease. However, the tranquility was brutally shattered as Carlos Sainz and Oscar Piastri went head-to-head, quite literally, at the very first corner. The fierce competition saw Sainz's Ferrari and Piastri’s McLaren brush wheels, resulting in a dramatic front-left puncture for Sainz that sent him skidding to a halt exiting Massenet.
A Chain Reaction of Chaos
The drama didn't end there. Just as Sainz came to a stop, another disaster was brewing further up the grid. Kevin Magnussen, attempting an ambitious move on Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, ended up tagging the rear of Perez's car. This high-speed maneuver sent both Perez and Magnussen crashing into the barriers. The chaos compounded as Nico Hulkenberg, Magnussen's Haas teammate, found himself with no escape route and collided into the already compromised scene.
Alpine’s Internal Clash
Meanwhile, the Alpine camp was no safe haven from the mayhem. Esteban Ocon made a bold but ill-fated attempt to overtake his teammate Pierre Gasly at Portier. The resulting maneuver was an almost surreal sight as Ocon's car briefly went airborne. Gasly, understandably, was furious and let his emotions flow over the team radio. The intra-team conflict added another layer of complexity to an already explosive race start.
Track Littered with Debris
As the dust began to settle, it was clear that the track had been severely compromised. Debris was scattered across the circuit, and the barriers took significant damage from the multiple collisions. The Race Control decided that it was too dangerous to continue racing under these conditions and promptly issued a red flag, bringing all the cars back into the pits.
What Happens Next?
With cars temporarily returned to the pits, teams had a valuable opportunity to assess damages and make crucial tire changes. As we await the race restart, the viewers are left in anticipatory suspense, eager to see how drivers and teams will strategize their comeback.
If you missed the heart-stopping start, click on the video player above to relive the explosive Monaco Grand Prix beginning.