Looking at the vista of the flotillas of incredible luxury yachts stretched to the horizon and the whole Principality primed to party the 2024 Grand Prix weekend promised something special. The excitement and tension was palpable. It was 93 years ago that a Monegasque Louis Chiron won his home Grand Prix. Nearly a century later this feat was in the sights of the brilliant new world champion contender Charles Leclerc driving for Ferrari. The stakes for this, one of the greatest shows on earth, the jewel of the Grand Prix races, are high.
It’s also the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s death at the wheel, racing. Tributes to him abound and his record of 8 Qualifying wins in a row was in the front of everyone’s mind. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen had just equalled that at Imola, prior to Monaco. Bitter-sweet for Monegasque Charles Leclerc who was himself “Prince of Qualifying in waiting” only to see the title almost cruelly snatched away from him early in the 2024 season by the Dutchman. And now Verstappen had a chance to break that record this weekend. But Charles Leclerc, the master at winning poles, would say something about that.
McLaren, winners of more Grand Prix than any other, are also on a tear. They are back in form and threatening Red Bull’s dominance; not to mention a thorn in Leclerc’s side. Orlando Norris and Oscar Piastri have no fear of Red Bull or Ferrari. But it would be Monegasque Charles Leclerc who would give his all, throwing in the kitchen sink to take the crown at last.
And the 2024 Drama Unfolds
Rain, crashes, mechanical problems, pit disasters it’s all happened before. We are about to find out that 2024 had its share of that. And the first obstacle the Qualifying Round assumed absolutely vital importance.
After the first runs in Q3, Piastri for McLaren was just 0.026s behind Leclerc’s Ferrari at the top of the charts, but the Monegasque driver found nearly two-tenths to lower his time and put pole out of Piastri’s reach. Verstappen was dangerously perched in third, but striking a wall on his final attempt fell to sixth. Sainz, Norris and George Russell snared the remainder of the top five places. Verstappen, who was charged-up ready to break Ayrton Senna’s record of eight straight pole positions … instead will be a lowly sixth, his worst start since 11th in Singapore last season.
When McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who was to go on to qualify and finish second, returned to the pits after his run, he looked at the timing sheets and reportedly asked his team: “Is Leclerc’s time real?” After the session, Max Verstappen also reportedly said Leclerc was “miles ahead”.
So he’s back, the pole-master! This is Leclerc’s third pole here. It’s the race he has geared himself up to win over all others. So what if he didn’t finish on the podium in his five previous appearances … persistence featured in this his daring determination to win. In 2021, he was on pole but a crash in qualifying damaged his driveshaft put him out of the race. Then in 2022, once more starting from the front of the grid, Ferrari scuppered his chances with a ruinous strategy. Luck had abandoned him on his very doorstep. Third time lucky has a good ring to it but Leclerc could not bank on it.
Theoretically qualifying is the hardest part of the weekend in Monte-Carlo but Leclerc knew only too well he and his Ferrari team had to now execute with absolute precision. He would finally kiss goodbye to that early Monaco curse.
Red Flag Drama at the Start of the Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix began with high drama as the race was halted just seconds after the start, marked by multiple incidents at the front and rear of the grid. Pole-sitter Charles Leclerc managed a clean getaway, navigating through Sainte Dévote without issue. However, trouble brewed behind him as Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz collided at the first corner. The contact left Sainz with a front-left puncture, forcing him to stop at the exit of Massenet. Simultaneously, a more significant incident unfolded up Beau Rivage.
Kevin Magnussen, attempting to overtake Sergio Perez, clipped the rear of Perez’s Red Bull, sending both cars crashing into the wall at high speed. The chaos also ensnared Nico Hulkenberg, who had nowhere to go and became part of the wreckage. Adding to the turmoil, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, both from Alpine, clashed at Portier. Ocon’s aggressive move resulted in his car briefly going airborne, while Gasly vented his frustration over the radio.
With debris scattered across the track and damaged barriers, Race Control swiftly issued a red flag, halting the race and bringing the cars back to the pits for repairs and tyre changes.
Finally Finally … Chiron’s Record in Sight
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc held his nerve on the restart to convert pole position at his home Monaco Grand Prix into a controlled victory after that huge first-lap pile-up. The collision between the two Haas cars and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez that caused the red flag led to a race of extreme tyre management by the leaders.
Leclerc controlled McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, team-mate Carlos Sainz and McLaren’s Lando Norris all race without any of them making a pit stop to take Ferrari’s second win of 2024. France striker Kylian Mbappé had the honour of waving the Monegasque driver over the line.
Charles Leclerc has finally got his winning Monaco moment after waiting a very long time to experience victory on home soil. The party went on long into the night for the Ferrari driver’s first win and podium in the Principality. Prince Albert was obviously delighted hugging Charles in celebration.
So Charles Leclerc has won the F1 Monaco GP after avoiding that monster of an accident. The local boy has won his home grand prix for the first time, leading from start to finish. He did not put a foot wrong.
Leclerc had long appeared destined to win this race, yet fate seemed to continually obstruct his path. In the end, these obstacles only made his eventual victory all the sweeter. Leclerc is the first-ever Monegasque driver to win the Monaco Grand Prix in the world championship era, and the first since Louis Chiron in 1931, which was the third edition of the race. 26-year-old Leclerc is also now second only to the legendary Michael Schumacher in the list of Ferrari pole-sitters.
A Royal Celebration for Leclerc’s Triumph
In a scene that epitomized joy and national pride, Prince Albert II of Monaco, accompanied by members of his family, celebrated Charles Leclerc’s monumental victory. A Royal Hug says it all. The air was filled with excitement as Leclerc, fists raised, shouted, “Tonight is going to be a big night!”
From their vantage point, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène watched the jubilant paddock below, the cacophony of yacht horns from Port Hercule adding to the festive atmosphere. As Leclerc approached the podium, an emotional Prince Albert descended to meet him. In a touching moment, the Prince embraced the victorious driver, sharing heartfelt words before they stood together atop the podium. The scene was crowned by the playing of the Monegasque national anthem, a fitting tribute to Leclerc’s historic win.
That’s a 25 point win to Charles compared to Verstappen’s 6th place 8 points … which puts Charles after Monaco within 31 points reach of the world championship. Everyone thought it was over and Verstappen was a shoe-in. It’s absolutely not over. And new contender Lando Norris for McLaren is just 25 points back from Charles following the Monaco Grand Prix breathing down his neck too.
It’s all on the line for the remainder of the season … Go Charles! In the Monegasque language: DAGHE CHARLES!
It has featured two of the greatest races ever and been won by a spy and by the driver widely acknowledged as the greatest of all time… twice! We know it as the jewel in the crown of Grand Prix races, Charles Leclerc’s home Grand Prix, that of the Principality of Monaco.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of legends such as William Grover-Williams, Louis Chiron, Fangio, Prost “the Professor”, the Red Baron Michael Schumacher and the incomparable Ayrton Senna. Not to mention modern greats Lewis Hamilton and emerging great Max Verstappen… and the current Monegasque world champion contender Charles Leclerc.
Did you know there are two Monegasque winners? Considering Monaco’s native Monegasque population consists of only about 10.000. That is nothing short of a miracle.
The Monaco Grand Prix could well be titled “the greatest show on earth” given its popularity and legend. Read on to find out who was the ultimate star of the show in 2024 and why that energized a nation!
POLES & WINS
Monaco’s narrow streets make it famously difficult to overtake. But do you think that capturing pole position guarantees a win. Think again:
Charles Leclerc grabbed pole twice and failed to win. It took three poles to claim the ultimate prize. And famously Jim Clark took pole position at Monaco four times, yet never claimed victory at the track! And even the great Fangio also failed to win twice when he was on pole, just like Monegasque Charles Leclerc (though also won twice when he was).
And if you are not on pole, a bit of rain helps to produce spectacular surprises and memorable upsets and wins. Stretching a famous quote from Shakespeare’s Richard III, if you are not on pole shout: “Rain, rain my kingdom for some rain”.
Last five Monaco GP pole-sitters:
- 2024 — Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 2023 — Max Versstappen(Red Bull)
- 2022 — Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 2021 — Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 2019 — Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
In those qualifying trials for the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix Mercedes pilot Lewis Hamilton took the pole position with an incredible record-setting lap time of 1 minute 10.166 seconds continuing on to win Monaco for the third occasion.
Last five Monaco GP winners:
- 2024 — Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 2023 — Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2022 — Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
- 2021 — Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2019 — Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Lap record: 1:12.909, Lewis Hamilton (set in 2021).
Fastest Monte-Carlo race in history also in 2021 set by Max Verstappen with 157.833 km/h average speed.
