Kimi Antonelli secured his fifth consecutive Formula 1 victory after a dramatic race featuring Max Verstappen’s early retirement, multiple Safety Car periods, a red flag, and late-race penalties that reshuffled the podium battle. F1 Monaco GP report.
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Antonelli saved the leader position, Hamilton and Leclerc followed the Mercedes’ driver. Verstappen had a technical issue and backed until the last position, at the end of the lap he retired.
The first laps of the race did not hold excitement, Antonelli led by 5 seconds ahead of the Ferrari duo. Meanwhile the gaps seemed constant in the field also.
In the 19th lap the 5th Hajdar started to report mechanical issues, while trying to save his position to Russell.
From the leader group, Hamilton changed the tires firstly, he could back as 3rd on hards – later he got a 5-second time penalty due to speeding in the pit lane. Then Russell pitted in the 32nd lap to undercut Hadjar and scored the better position.
Later Leclerc and Antonelli completed the pit stop also. The leader group stayed as Antonelli, Hamilton, who had enough advantage in front of the 3rd Leclerc.
In the 45th lap Norris had to give up the race due to engine failure.
The Safety Car drama came in the 60th lap, when Stroll crashed. The SC out 5 laps later, Antonelli and Hamilton managed the start, while Leclerc crashed – newer SC phase, what turned to red flag occurs the last corner’s broken asphalt.
After the interruption the race restarted on lap 69 with 2 warm up laps and standing start.
In the 70th lap Antonelli managed the restart ahead of Hamilton, Russell turned 3rd followed by Gasly. Russell had to have a drive through penalty, in this way Gasly jumped to 3rd – the French also had a 10 second time penalty. Hadjar followed 4th under investigation, too – while Piastri had a chance to step upper.
Finally Antonelli won his 5th race in a row, Hamilton finished 2nd and Hadjar 3rd.
The full results of the race according to FIA.com:
Coming soon – According to several investigations after the race.