Featured Columnist IVMay 26, 2024
NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images
It was a 2024 Monaco Grand Prix to forget for Sergio Pérez.
An opening-lap wreck ended the Red Bull driver’s day. It wasn’t just him, as Haas drivers Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg were also eliminated from Sunday’s race because of the crash.
Magnussen and Perez made contact, which sent the latter into the wall and created a chaotic scene that Hulkenberg was unable to escape. While there was a lengthy suspension for the race on a red flag, none of the three drivers were able to participate upon the reset.
ESPN @espn
These angles of Sergio Perez’s crash during Lap 1 of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix 👀
He was able to walk away from the wreck. pic.twitter.com/HiZjWCfTAE
SportsCenter @SportsCenter
POV from both Sergio Perez and Kevin Magnussen’s cars during the crash at Monaco. pic.twitter.com/QKrbJ6Hpin
That wasn’t the only incident on the opening lap, as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz went off because of a front-left tire puncture. However, he was able to restart in third place given the timing of the red flag for the crash involving Pérez.
What’s more, Alpine teammates Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon collided. The latter was unable to continue in the race and ultimately took responsibility:
ESPN F1 @ESPNF1
Meanwhile at Alpine 😳 pic.twitter.com/L4LuRhI4dt
Esteban Ocon @OconEsteban
Today’s incident was my fault, the gap was too small in the end and I apologise to the team on this one. Hoping for a deserved points-finish for the team today.
As for the crash involving Pérez and the Haas drivers, ESPN’s Nate Saunders noted there was a bit of controversy in the stewards’ decision that there would be no further investigation into the incident.
The decision was notable since Magnussen is just two penalty points away from a one-race ban.
Pérez’s elimination was the most important development, as he is in third place in the drivers standings with 107 points. While he is well behind teammate Max Verstappen’s 161 points, he entered Sunday’s race just six points behind Ferrari’s Charles LeClerc for second.
Red Bull also leads the constructor standings over Ferrari by 56 points but may see that gap close without one of its two drivers.
Pérez was coming off an eighth-place finish at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and crashed out of Sunday’s race, so he will be firmly under the spotlight as he looks to bounce back in the Canadian Grand Prix on June 9.
