Until the Autonomous Racing League of Abu Dhabi
Some Formula 1 teams are leaving the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix full of joy and optimistic about what is to come in the coming months.
Others, however, are returning home with damaged cars and a devastating defeat.
Here is an analysis of the main winners and losers.
At some level, the feeling of relief is even greater than the feeling of euphoria.
Charles Leclerc is an exceptional athlete, so he has a higher level of skill than most when it comes to blocking distractions. However, winning the Monaco GP seemed like a sure thing for him from the moment Friday afternoon arrived. He had the confidence, he had the car, he had the opportunity. Either win now or endure more anxiety anticipating the next race.
The pole position of the Monaco GP is undoubtedly 90% of the victory, which is perhaps why the race seems so vulnerable. Normally, it is a straightforward procession, but occasionally the race victory slips away for no apparent reason. Ask Lewis Hamilton. Ask Daniel Ricciardo. Ask Richard Verschoor and Isack Hadjar from the previous Formula 2 race earlier that day.
None of them made mistakes, but all lost. However, Leclerc did not need to ask any of them because he had already been through it.
Due to how much control the race leader has and how difficult it is to overtake, it is as if the race is designed to take victories away from those in the lead.
And Leclerc’s Sunday could have been much more nerve-wracking. In the first lap, when his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz had a puncture and was out of contention, suddenly he found himself under pressure from Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, with McLaren potentially using strategic flexibility during pit stops to try to overtake him and Ferrari on track. It’s possible. It has been done before.
However, the red flag not only restored Sainz’s position, but also eliminated the need for a pit stop, making any doubts about Ferrari’s race pace irrelevant.
And nearly 80 laps later, there’s that sweet and relieving relief. – Valentin Khorounzhiy
Was he lucky to avoid a penalty? Probably.
Was he lucky that the accident didn’t result in more serious consequences? Definitely.
It wasn’t clear who he believed was at fault, but Haas teammate Magnussen’s teammate Nico Hulkenberg summed up the situation perfectly: “That was unnecessary.” – Jack Cozens
Sure, finishing a whole lap behind the car in front won’t be Yuki Tsunoda’s most glorious result of the season. And yes, eighth place was probably only available because Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso underperformed in qualifying.
However, this season’s midfield battle is defined by being in the right place at the right time to seize opportunities. And no driver has done that better than Tsunoda.
He has now scored points in five of the last six races (or six out of eight if we include sprint races), surpassing his total score from the 2023 season.
It’s no surprise that Tsunoda is attracting attention in the 2025 F1 driver market. If he continues in this form, will one of the top teams be tempted to give him a chance? – JC
The Red Bull RB20 clearly struggled with the bumps of Monaco, as Max Verstappen could only qualify in sixth place, and Perez was down in 16th on the grid. This could be a concern for the team, as similar issues may arise at other circuits, like Austin.
Verstappen found himself stuck behind Russell throughout the race, despite a late pit stop giving him a speed boost.
Perez, on the other hand, had a slow start and fell into the clutches of the Haas drivers. What happened next was not his fault, as Magnussen caused a spectacular high-speed crash that essentially secured Ferrari’s victory in Monaco.
However, Red Bull only scored eight points in Monaco, and Ferrari is now just 24 points behind them in the constructors’ standings. – Samarth Kanal
It may not have been the victory McLaren hoped for, but Ferrari’s advantage was established in qualifying and solidified when the red flags were waved after the first lap crash involving Haas and Red Bull’s Perez.
Nevertheless, McLaren left Monaco with 30 points, matching their highest score of the season so far, which they achieved in Imola. Piastri also secured his first podium since the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix. This podium was crucial for Piastri, and he will be hoping it creates momentum towards Montreal.
Norris may be disappointed to have missed out on a podium in Monaco, but his strong fourth place finish, where he was glued to Sainz throughout the race, is still commendable.
Most importantly, McLaren scored more points than Red Bull in this race. – SK
Esteban Ocon’s reputation for getting involved in conflicts with teammates will certainly play a significant role in his F1 story, regardless of how it unfolds.
Just because he was part of the Perez vs Ocon, Alonso vs Ocon, and now Gasly vs Ocon rivalries, doesn’t mean he is always the troublemaker, the instigator, or the problem. It’s not like team bosses often have reason to blame Ocon exclusively for the on-track disputes with his teammates at the time.
Except today. Today… well, that’s on you, buddy.
The move on Pierre Gasly may have seemed plausible in theory, and there was indeed a long discussion about it. However, within the team context, it was a bold move that would always result in serious consequences for one or both cars, whether in terms of damage or position on the track, regardless of how Ocon and Gasly played it out after Ocon committed to it.
It’s no surprise that Alpine team boss Bruno Famin was furious. He has every right to be furious, but also disheartened, as Ocon had been one of the few bright spots in the team’s lackluster season. – VK
Albon’s Williams couldn’t keep up with Tsunoda’s RB in terms of pace in Monaco, especially in the final laps, which left Albon frustrated: “He just pulled away at the end of the race, and I was thinking, ‘You could have done that all along’.”
However, that matters little to the team and the driver, as they finally scored points in the 2024 season with a car that is still overweight, the FW46.
Albon and Williams executed everything perfectly this weekend. Albon delivered when it mattered in qualifying, and the decision to start on medium tires was well judged, allowing them to switch to hard tires under the red flag and complete the race with them.
Two points were a well-deserved reward for an efficiently executed weekend. – JC
Monaco marked the second consecutive weekend for Haas without scoring points, and it couldn’t have been worse for them.
The first lap crash, caused by Magnussen and involving his teammate Hulkenberg and Perez’s Red Bull, seemed like rubbing salt in the wound after the team was disqualified from qualifying in Monaco (of all places) on Saturday due to a rear wing violation.
Given the progress Haas has made, this weekend only interrupted their momentum. – SK
There is an asterisk next to George Russell’s victory over teammate Lewis Hamilton this weekend, as only Russell had the updated front wing from Mercedes. However, this was not evident during the three practice sessions, where Hamilton was consistently ahead.
For the second consecutive weekend, Russell was only 0.001s behind the fastest car in Q3, so it is possible that he could have maximized the weekend even further. After all, there was certainly a little more time to be found in those 0.001s.
But, of course, it is impossible to blame him for that. Overall, he performed admirably – qualifying where he qualified, racing as he did, and maintaining control of fifth place with old medium tires, even as the drivers behind him switched to newer tires and closed the gap.
His fifth place equaled his best result and the best result for Mercedes this season, which is not exactly cause for celebration. However, the evidence continues to mount that Russell will deliver once Mercedes overcomes its current difficulties. – VK
Slowing down the pace of the pack to give Lance Stroll a chance to score points ahead was a noble gesture from Fernando Alonso, but it was unsatisfactory for him as one of the most competitive drivers in Formula 1. It’s a big difference from last year’s Monaco GP, where Aston Martin was in contention for the win.
To make matters worse, Stroll made a pit stop for free, but immediately hit the wall and punctured the tire, undoing all their hard work. This has been a disappointing return to form for Stroll after a good performance in Imola.
However, it should be noted that some recent criticisms of Stroll have been unacceptable, with ableist language being used against him. – SK
© 2024
The world of sports is full of surprises and twists, and the year 2024 certainly did not disappoint. From the thrilling World Cup final to incredible individual achievements, sports fans had a lot to celebrate.
In football, the World Cup final was an exciting spectacle. The two best teams in the world faced off in an epic battle that left spectators breathless. In the end, the Brazilian national team clinched the title, sending their fans into a frenzy.
In basketball, a young talent emerged as the sport’s star. At just 19 years old, João Silva became the youngest player to score 50 points in a single game. His skill and determination are truly impressive, and he certainly has a bright future ahead.
In tennis, a new rivalry emerged between Maria Santos and Rafaela Silva. These two talented athletes faced off in several thrilling finals, providing unforgettable moments for sports fans. The intense competition between them is a true inspiration for young tennis players around the world.
In addition, the world of sports was also the stage for remarkable individual achievements. Sprinter Pedro Almeida broke the world record for the 100-meter dash, leaving his competitors behind and setting a new standard for human speed. His incredible performance was applauded by fans and experts around the world.
In motorsport, driver Lucas Oliveira won his fourth consecutive title in Formula 1. His skill and consistency placed him at the top of the sport, making him one of the greatest drivers of all time. His dedication and passion for motorsport are truly inspiring.
In summary, the year 2024 was full of exciting moments and incredible achievements in the world of sports. Athletes showed talent, determination, and passion in their respective disciplines, providing fans with unforgettable moments. The future of sports looks bright, and we can’t wait to see what the coming years have in store for us.
