F1 Monaco Grand Prix LIVE RESULTS: Perez WINS after holding off Sainz as fuming Leclerc suffers pit stop chaos
SERGIO PEREZ won the Monaco Grand Prix as he capitalised on a flawed Ferrari pit stop strategy to hold off Carlos Sainz.
Initial race leader Charles Leclerc was told to stay out on track by Ferrari when he was already in the pit lane, causing him to be overtaken by Perez, Sainz and title rival Max Verstappen.
Mexican Perez then managed to hold Sainz off in the final laps to secure a famous race win.
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Perez – the greatest F1 Mexican
Sergio Perez is now the most successful Mexican F1 driver of all-time.
Perez was victorious at the Monaco Grand Prix – and spoke afterwards about fulfilling his dream of winning in Monte Carlo.
“It’s a dream come true, as a driver you dream of winning here.” he said after the race.
“After your home race, there is no more special weekend. With the graining, to not make any mistakes, to keep Carlos behind was not easy. It’s a massive day for myself and my country.”
Horner reacts
Christian Horner has given his thoughts on the Monaco Grand Prix insisting ‘we got it right’.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez was the victor, while team mate Max Verstappen finished third.
After the race, Horner said: “We didn’t want to be exposed at the restart so we thought the medium tyres would be enough. That lock up for Checo put him under pressure but he managed it beautifully and he’s been on fire all weekend – very proud of him. I don’t think we had the quickest car today but we got it right with the double pit stop too.
“Checo nailed his out-lap and Max [Verstappen] very nearly got him as well so a phenomenal team result.”
Super Sergio celebrates victory
Sergio Perez was forced to give up first place to team-mate Max Verstappen in Spain last week.
But the Mexican driver came roaring back today, and held off Carlos Sainz quite brilliantly to take the chequered flag.
Credit: AFP
Final standings
Here’s how they finished in Monaco
1. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
6. Lando Norris (McLaren)
7. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
8. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
9. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
10. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
11. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri)
12. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
13. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
14. Lanco Stroll (Aston Martin)
15. Nicholas Latifi (Williams)
16. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
17. Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
* Alex Albon (Williams, DNF)
*Mick Schumacher (Haas, DNF)
* Kevin Magnussen (Haas, DNF)
Leclerc feels let down
Charles Leclerc was devastated when he spoke to Sky Sports after the Monaco Grand Prix.
Leclerc went from pole to a disappointing fourth-placed finish in Monte Carlo.
And the Frenchman revealed: “Let down not is not the word, sometimes mistakes can happen – but there has been too many mistakes today and overall, and in these conditions you rely on what the team can see. I’ve been asked question whether wet to have slicks, and ‘yes’ but ‘not now later on’.
“I don’t understand what made us change our minds – we got undercut and then stuck behind Carlos [Sainz]. There were a lot of mistakes and we cannot afford to do that. I’m used to getting back home disappointed but we cannot do that, especially in a moment now where we are extremely strong. We need to take opportunities – we cannot lose points like this. I love my team. We will come back stronger, but it hurts a lot.
“The first one [radio message] was a clear decision and a very wrong one. From that moment onwards the mess started. I don’t know if it was panic – I don’t hear all the background stuff between the team so it’s not up to me to judge.
“The last message I had was not clear because I was told to come in and then to stay out but I was already in the pit lane and that’s when I let it out on the radio because I knew it was done.”
Russell reveals frustration
George Russell finished a respectable fifth at the Monaco Grand Prix.
He said: “There were a lot of positives from that race – we were fast in the first stint before the red flag so that was fun.
“It was tough – it was a bit frustrating in the car having the delays.
“It truly was undriveable conditions though to begin with then after the second red flag it was a lot dryer but one dry line is never easy on a track like this.”
Ferrari protest rejected
Monaco Grand Prix result STANDS as Ferrari protest over Sergio Perez win after Red Bull’s exit from pit lane is rejected.
Binotto felt that both race-winner Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen had crossed the pitlane exit mid-race and launched an appeal after the race - which was eventually rejected three and a half hours later.
The duo were claimed to have crossed the line early on Lap 23 to rejoin the race, instead of sticking to the right until the line ran out.
Ferrari had thrown the Monaco Grand Prix result in doubt after protesting Perez and Verstappen's pit lane exits.
The Red Bull pair recorded a 1-3 finish in the French race on Sunday, but Ferrari looked to shake things up by lodging a complaint with the FIA.
But the FIA threw out Ferrari's claim, much to the annoyance of Binotto.
Sainz speaks
Carlos Sainz has reacted to finishing second at the Monaco Grand Prix.
“It was, it was, we did everything we had to, my out-lap stuck behind a lapped car cost me the race win,” he said.
“You can understand my frustration, it’s how sport is sometimes. Checo was unlucky in Jeddah, today he drove a great race.”
F1 race classification
Here is the final race classification in full from the Monaco Grand Prix yesterday.
Perez was the winner, with Sainz finished runner-up while Verstappen was ahead of Leclerc.
That keeps Verstappen ahead of Leclerc in the Drivers Championship table.
F1 news
Sergio Perez was forced to give up first place to team-mate Max Verstappen in Spain last week.
But the Mexican driver came roaring back today, and held off Carlos Sainz quite brilliantly to take the chequered flag.
Verstappen had to settle for third, but importantly finished ahead of Championship rival Charles Leclerc who was in fourth.
Ferrari have thrown the Monaco Grand Prix result in doubt after protesting Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen’s pit lane exits.
The Red Bull pair recorded a 1-3 finish in the French race on Sunday.
But Ferrari are looking to shake things up by lodging a complaint with the FIA.
It’s reckoned the Italians are unhappy with Perez and Verstappen’s exits from the pit lane.
The duo are claimed to have crossed the line early to rejoin the race, instead of sticking to the right until the line ran out.George Russell finished a respectable fifth at the Monaco Grand Prix.
He said: “There were a lot of positives from that race – we were fast in the first stint before the red flag so that was fun.
“It was tough – it was a bit frustrating in the car having the delays.
“It truly was undriveable conditions though to begin with then after the second red flag it was a lot dryer but one dry line is never easy on a track like this.”
Tears of joy
Serigo Perez couldn't hide his emotion on top of the podium.
The Mexican F1 driver won the Monaco Grand Prix - much to the delight of his team, Red Bull.
And as his country's flag was raised and he stood proud for the national anthem, Perez struggled to fight back tears.
He is now the most successful Mexican driver of all-time thanks to his latest win.
Horner reacts
Christian Horner has given his thoughts on the Monaco Grand Prix insisting 'we got it right'.
Red Bull's Sergio Perez was the victor, while team mate Max Verstappen finished third.
After the race, Horner said: "We didn't want to be exposed at the restart so we thought the medium tyres would be enough. That lock up for Checo put him under pressure but he managed it beautifully and he's been on fire all weekend - very proud of him. I don't think we had the quickest car today but we got it right with the double pit stop too.
"Checo nailed his out-lap and Max [Verstappen] very nearly got him as well so a phenomenal team result."
Russell reveals frustration
George Russell finished a respectable fifth at the Monaco Grand Prix.
He said: "There were a lot of positives from that race - we were fast in the first stint before the red flag so that was fun.
"It was tough - it was a bit frustrating in the car having the delays.
"It truly was undriveable conditions though to begin with then after the second red flag it was a lot dryer but one dry line is never easy on a track like this."
Monaco result in doubt
Ferrari have thrown the Monaco Grand Prix result in doubt after protesting Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen's pit lane exits.
The Red Bull pair recorded a 1-3 finish in the French race on Sunday.
But Ferrari are looking to shake things up by lodging a complaint with the FIA.
It's reckoned the Italians are unhappy with Perez and Verstappen's exits from the pit lane.
The duo are claimed to have crossed the line early to rejoin the race, instead of sticking to the right until the line ran out.
Perez and Verstappen have now been summoned to the stewards.
Leclerc feels let down
Charles Leclerc was devastated when he spoke to Sky Sports after the Monaco Grand Prix.
Leclerc went from pole to a disappointing fourth-placed finish in Monte Carlo.
And the Frenchman revealed: “Let down not is not the word, sometimes mistakes can happen – but there has been too many mistakes today and overall, and in these conditions you rely on what the team can see. I’ve been asked question whether wet to have slicks, and ‘yes’ but ‘not now later on’.
“I don’t understand what made us change our minds - we got undercut and then stuck behind Carlos [Sainz]. There were a lot of mistakes and we cannot afford to do that. I’m used to getting back home disappointed but we cannot do that, especially in a moment now where we are extremely strong. We need to take opportunities - we cannot lose points like this. I love my team. We will come back stronger, but it hurts a lot.
“The first one [radio message] was a clear decision and a very wrong one. From that moment onwards the mess started. I don’t know if it was panic - I don’t hear all the background stuff between the team so it’s not up to me to judge.
“The last message I had was not clear because I was told to come in and then to stay out but I was already in the pit lane and that’s when I let it out on the radio because I knew it was done.”
'I did the best I could', says Verstappen
Max Verstappen has spoken about his third-placed finish at the Monaco Grand Prix.
The F1 champ revealed: “I did the best I could after yesterday and I think as a team we did a really good job with the strategy to get ahead of the Ferraris.
“As a whole team we can be very happy with the Sunday. It was a hectic one with the rain but we executed it well and I extended my points lead, which I didn’t expect last night so that is a positive.
“Luckily nothing crazy happened apart from Mick [Schumacher], but I hear he is OK. Excellent result for Checo - very happy for him.”
F1 race classification
Here is the final race classification in full from the Monaco Grand Prix.
Perez was the winner, with Sainz finished runner-up while Verstappen was ahead of Leclerc.
That keeps Verstappen ahead of Leclerc in the Drivers Championship table.
Sainz speaks
Carlos Sainz has reacted to finishing second at the Monaco Grand Prix.
"It was, it was, we did everything we had to, my out-lap stuck behind a lapped car cost me the race win," he said.
"You can understand my frustration, it’s how sport is sometimes. Checo was unlucky in Jeddah, today he drove a great race."
Final standings
Here's how they finished in Monaco
1. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
2. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
6. Lando Norris (McLaren)
7. Fernando Alonso (Alpine)
8. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
9. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)
10. Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin)
11. Pierre Gasly (Alpha Tauri)
12. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
13. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)
14. Lanco Stroll (Aston Martin)
15. Nicholas Latifi (Williams)
16. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo)
17. Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri)
* Alex Albon (Williams, DNF)
*Mick Schumacher (Haas, DNF)
* Kevin Magnussen (Haas, DNF)
Super Sergio celebrates victory
Sergio Perez was forced to give up first place to team-mate Max Verstappen in Spain last week.
But the Mexican driver came roaring back today, and held off Carlos Sainz quite brilliantly to take the chequered flag.
Credit: AFP Perez - the greatest F1 Mexican
Sergio Perez is now the most successful Mexican F1 driver of all-time.
Perez was victorious at the Monaco Grand Prix - and spoke afterwards about fulfilling his dream of winning in Monte Carlo.
“It’s a dream come true, as a driver you dream of winning here.” he said after the race.
“After your home race, there is no more special weekend. With the graining, to not make any mistakes, to keep Carlos behind was not easy. It’s a massive day for myself and my country.”
Sergio Perez WINS the Monaco GP
Sergio Perez hold off Carlos Sainz to take the chequered flag!
Max Verstappen takes third, with Charles Leclerc in fourth after starting on pole.
George Russell is fifth, with Lando Norris sixth.
Fernando Alonso is seventh, Lewis Hamilton eighth, Esteban Ocon ninth and Valteri Bottas tenth.
Perez backing off
Sergio Perez is just trying to slow the pace down here, which will reduce the number of laps left to race.
There's less than a minute on the clock, so there is a maximum of two laps left to race.
Perez still holding firm
No change as of yet in the top four.
Sergio Perez is doing brilliantly under pressure to hold off Carlos Sainz at the front of the pack.
There's not long left to go now!
Five minutes left to race
Can Sergio Perez hold out for five more minutes?
Time is on his side, but this is all getting very tense.
Carlos Sainz is still less than half a second behind the leader, and nearly goes straight into the back of Perez at the hairpin!