Monaco Grand Prix stopped within seconds as Red Bull obliterated in huge smash

26 May 2024 , 13:09

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The wreckage of Sergio Perez's Red Bull (Image: Sky Sports)

Sergio Perez was involved in a huge smash on the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix which saw the race stopped less than a minute in.

Perez was starting towards the back of the grid after a wretched qualifying session. And that meant he got caught up in the melee as both Haas cars were involved in the smash on the run up the hill after the first corner.

Kevin Magnussen touched the Red Bull which was enough to spin it around. And as it did so it knocked into the other Haas being driver by Nico Hulkenberg which meant he too was out of the race within seconds.

The Red Bull hit was especially hefty and led to debris being scattered all over the track. It was clear that the clean-up operation was going to be extensive and so race control took the decision to red flag the race.

Fortunately, Perez was able to get out of his car under his own power and walk away from the incident. And both Haas drivers were also okay, though Hulkenberg seemed furious with his team-mate after the "unnecessary" crash.

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It was not the only incident on a chaotic first lap in the Principality. At around the same time, Carlos Sainz, who had started third, was forced to pull over with a puncture after making contact with the McLaren of Oscar Piastri at the first corner.

He is able to continue and lined up on track again when the restart took place. And both Alpine cars were also able to do so - though they were perhaps lucky after colliding with each other moments before the red flags flew.

Esteban Ocon's Alpine was sent into the air after contact with Pierre Gasly (Sky Sports)

Esteban Ocon tried his luck around the outside of the Loews hairpin, but to no avail. He then attempted the lunge up the inside of his team-mate Pierre Gasly at Portier, just before heading into the tunnel, which inevitably led to contact.

And the touch was dramatic as it sent Ocon's car up into the air and almost caused it to flip over. And Gasly made his fury with his fellow Frenchman clear as he jumped on the radio to vent to the team.

He fumed: "What did he do? What did he do? Why did he try to attack me? Oh my gosh. The whole car is damaged now!" In commentary, Martin Brundle concurred with Gasly and said: "You do not lunge your team-mate at Portier on the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix."

Daniel Moxon