Monaco GP Drama: Leclerc's Triumphant Win and Perez's Devastating Crash Among Key Highlights

In the glamorous streets of Monte Carlo, Charles Leclerc lived out a childhood dream by clinching his first-ever Monaco Grand Prix victory, making him the first Monegasque to win in Monaco in 93 years. Utterly in control from the beginning, Leclerc's weekend was picture-perfect, from securing pole position to that unforgettable celebratory dive into the marina with Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur. On the other hand, some drivers faced a much tougher time in the Principality.

Winner: Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc has been dreaming of victory on the streets of Monte Carlo since the days he would take the bus along the start-finish straight and up the hill towards Casino Square to school – and at last, he has done it. The 26-year-old is the first Monegasque to win the Monaco Grand Prix in 93 years – and this is his first win since the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix, ending a run of 39 races without standing on the top step of the podium.

Leclerc, who has struggled in the past to convert pole positions into victories, finally broke the jinx. With six career victories now under his belt, he's in fine company with legends like Gilles Villeneuve. This fifth podium in eight races this season sits him comfortably in second place in the drivers’ championship, albeit still 31 points behind Max Verstappen.

Loser: Sergio Perez

This wasn’t a great weekend for Sergio Perez, who had hoped for redemption after a tough Monaco outing last year. Knocked out in Q1 for the second consecutive year in Monaco, Perez's troubles continued into the race. His Grand Prix was cut short after a collision with Kevin Magnussen's Haas. Perez hit the barrier and crashed into Nico Hulkenberg, leading to severe damage and his first retirement this season. Now 24 points behind Ferrari in the constructors' standings, the Red Bull team faces an uphill task.

Winner: Oscar Piastri

Oscar Piastri showcased one of the strongest performances of his young career by securing his second career front-row start. Despite a tough encounter with Carlos Sainz that damaged his floor and sidepod, Piastri's perseverance was evident throughout the race. The Australian held off fierce competition to secure a second-place finish – tying his career-best result – and gave McLaren their best result at Monaco since Lewis Hamilton's 2008 victory.

Losers: Haas

For Haas, a promising weekend spiraled into disappointment. A disqualification from qualifying due to a rear wing irregularity set the tone for disaster. Their race was over within seconds after Magnussen collided with Perez, leading to a double DNF. This leaves Haas with significant damage costs, likely impacting future developments under the tight cost cap.

Winner: Carlos Sainz

Carlos Sainz breathed a sigh of relief after salvaging a race that seemed destined for early retirement. Following a puncture caused by a clash with Piastri, the red flag for the Perez-Magnussen-Hulkenberg incident allowed Sainz to pit, reclaiming P3 for the restart. Fiercely defended his position, he ultimately finished third, marking his third career podium at Monaco and his fourth rostrum this season.

Losers: Aston Martin

Aston Martin endured another tough weekend, with Fernando Alonso struggling in qualifying and ultimately finishing 11th. Lance Stroll's fortunes weren't much better, contending with a puncture that thwarted any hopes of scoring. The team remains fifth in the constructors' championship, now 52 points behind Mercedes.

Winner: Yuki Tsunoda

Yuki Tsunoda continued his strong form with a composed drive, outqualifying his teammate once again and securing his first-ever points in Monaco with an 8th place finish. This extends Tsunoda's impressive run, keeping him in the top-10 of the drivers’ standings.

Losers: Kick Sauber

Kick Sauber faced another disastrous weekend, lingering at the back of the grid during qualifying. Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu struggled, culminating in a disappointing 13th and 16th place finish respectively. The team remains one of the few yet to score any points this season.

Winner: Alex Albon

For Albon, his patience and skill paid off with a strong performance in Monaco. Qualifying in Q3 for the first time this season, Albon secured a solid P9 finish and bagged important points for Williams. This shifts them up the constructors' standings to eighth place, above Alpine and Kick Sauber.

Loser: Esteban Ocon

Ocon's attempted overtake on teammate Pierre Gasly ended in a catastrophic collision, putting him airborne and forcing the team to lament an avoidable error. The stewards deemed Ocon at fault, awarding a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Canadian GP, to the frustration of senior Alpine management.

Winner: Pierre Gasly

Despite being involved in the collision with Ocon, Gasly managed to secure his first point of the season. Outqualifying his teammate and showcasing strong race pace, Gasly now eyes potential moves for the 2025 season. This kind of performance is the confidence boost he needed amidst team discussions.