The legendary streets of Monaco witnessed an extraordinary and often frustrating Formula 1 spectacle last weekend. While racing at this iconic circuit is inherently challenging, the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix was rendered near-impossible for genuine on-track action after an opening lap red flag. This pivotal incident fundamentally reshaped the strategic landscape, transforming what could have been a thrilling tactical battle into a prolonged exercise in tyre preservation.
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With teams permitted to change tyres during the extensive stoppage, virtually the entire field seized the opportunity. This strategic reset eliminated the need for any further green flag pit stops over the remaining 77 laps, leading to a race where drivers were forced to manage their tyres meticulously rather than push for performance. The sheer size and weight of modern F1 cars, combined with the shortest and narrowest circuit on the calendar, meant overtaking became a near-impossible feat. Consequently, drivers rarely pushed their machinery or themselves to the absolute limit, instead focusing on bringing their cars home safely and efficiently.
At RaceFans, our driver ratings system is meticulously designed to acknowledge and reward exceptional displays of skill and performance throughout a Grand Prix weekend. Given the unique circumstances of the Monaco Grand Prix, where conservative driving was a necessity rather than a choice, it felt inappropriate to award exceptionally high marks for on-track performance during the race itself. The strategic implications of the red flag dictated a controlled, processional event, limiting opportunities for drivers to truly shine through daring overtakes or aggressive tyre management under pressure.
For these compelling reasons, the scores for last weekend are generally lower than what might be observed during a typical race weekend. This reflects less on the inherent talent or effort of the drivers and more on the extraordinary circumstances they encountered. Nevertheless, even within these constraints, a select few drivers managed to distinguish themselves, delivering performances worthy of decent recognition amidst the strategic monotony. Their ability to extract maximum performance within the limitations, or to overcome significant challenges, stood out.
Here are the RaceFans driver ratings for the Monaco Grand Prix, offering a detailed breakdown of each competitor’s weekend.
A guide to RaceFans’ driver ratings system: Understanding Performance in F1
The RaceFans driver ratings system provides a comprehensive assessment of each driver’s performance across all three days of a Grand Prix weekend. While individual performances during competitive sessions – namely qualifying, sprint races, and the Grand Prix itself – naturally carry the most significant weight in determining a driver’s final rating, our evaluation process extends beyond just Sunday’s result.
Practice performance, though often overlooked, can substantially influence a driver’s overall weekend rating. A major error, such as a significant crash during free practice, or a consistent pattern of mistakes throughout these sessions, can lead to a deduction in their score. Conversely, a driver who demonstrates consistently impressive speed across all free practice sessions, especially when compared to their teammate, can earn additional credit, indicating a strong understanding of the car and circuit from the outset.
A crucial aspect of our system is its attempt to account for the relative performance of each driver’s car and the expected results from that machinery. This means that a driver who secures a dominant victory in a car that is clearly superior to the rest of the field may not necessarily achieve as high a score as a driver who manages to claim a lower points finish in a less competitive, midfield car. The system aims to reward drivers for exceeding expectations or maximizing their car’s potential, rather than simply for finishing position.
Furthermore, our ratings diligently consider mitigating factors that are beyond a driver’s direct control. If a driver is forced to miss significant track time due to unforeseen car problems, becomes an innocent victim of being blocked during a critical qualifying lap, finishes considerably lower than anticipated because of a heavily botched pit stop by their team, or suffers any other misfortune that they could not reasonably be expected to control, their rating is not unfairly penalized. This approach ensures a fair and holistic evaluation of individual performance, separating driver skill from external variables.
RaceFans rates each driver’s weekend performance on a precise scale of 0 to 10. On this scale, a ‘5’ is considered to represent a typically average weekend performance from a typically average Formula 1 driver. This benchmark helps contextualize each score, providing a clear understanding of where a driver’s performance stands in the broader competitive landscape of F1.
Here is a detailed guide to each possible score, offering insight into what each rating signifies:
N/A – Not applicable – This rating is assigned when a driver has not participated sufficiently in the competitive sessions of the weekend to allow for a meaningful assessment of their performance.
0 – Disqualified – Reserved for the most extreme instances where a driver’s conduct or actions fundamentally disqualify them from participation or merit consideration for any positive score.
1 – Appalling – Denotes an utterly appalling display that immediately brings a driver’s competency and suitability for Formula 1 under serious question. A truly disastrous weekend.
2 – Awful – Signifies a very, very poor performance characterized by repeated errors, a lack of pace, and almost no redeeming qualities or moments of competence throughout the weekend.
3 – Very bad – Indicates a weekend where there were significantly more negatives than positives. A driver receiving this score should be profoundly disappointed with their overall contribution and execution.
4 – Underperformance – The driver failed to achieve the fundamental base level of performance that is generally expected for a Formula 1 driver. They did not meet reasonable expectations.
5 – Acceptable – Represents the standard, expected level of performance from an F1 driver. It’s neither outstanding nor poor, simply meeting the minimum criteria for the category.
6 – Good – A decent and solid overall performance across the entire weekend. While commendable, it wasn’t one of the standout performances among the field.
7 – Very good – A strong and highly commendable performance throughout the weekend. Any driver would be genuinely pleased with achieving this level of execution.
8 – Brilliant – Marks a truly great weekend where the driver distinguished themselves as one of the very best among the competitive field, showcasing exceptional skill and pace.
9 – Exceptional – An outstanding performance that ranks as one of the best, if not the absolute best, of the entire season. A truly remarkable and memorable display.
10 – Legendary – Reserved for one of the few all-time greatest performances by a driver in the illustrious history of Formula 1. A truly iconic and unforgettable weekend.
Max Verstappen – 5/10
Qualified: 6th (+12 places ahead of team mate, -0.349s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: Two-stop (H-M-H)
Finished: 6th (+12 places ahead of team mate)
▶ Received warning for driving unnecessarily slowly in final practice
▶ Qualified only sixth after hitting barrier on final push lap in Q3
▶ Held sixth across both starts to run behind Hamilton
▶ Pitted for hards to cover Hamilton, then caught up to Russell
▶ Unable to pass Russell for fifth, finishing sixth
The Monte Carlo streets, with their unique blend of slow corners and high-speed sections, proved to be an uncomfortable challenge for the RB20, fundamentally placing Max Verstappen out of contention for victory this weekend. While the car’s inherent characteristics were a limiting factor, Verstappen himself did not fully maximize his qualifying potential. A costly error on his final Q3 lap, where he clipped the barrier, relegated him to sixth on the grid – a position from which winning in Monaco is virtually impossible. Despite possessing significantly fresher tyres than George Russell during the latter stages of the race, even the prodigious talent of Verstappen could not find a way past on a circuit where overtaking is notoriously difficult. Although the Red Bull’s performance envelope was constrained by the unique demands of Monaco, his ultimate race result was undeniably sealed by his qualifying misstep on Saturday, defining what was an otherwise uneventful Sunday for the reigning champion.
Sergio Perez – 3/10
Qualified: 18th (-12 places behind team mate, +0.349s)
Grid: 16th (-10 places behind team mate)
Strategy: (H)
Finished: Retired (Crashed – L1)
▼ Knocked out of Q1 in 18th
▶ Promoted to 16th after the Haas disqualification
▼ Crashed out in frightening collision with Magnussen at Beau Rivage on opening lap
Sergio Perez endured another deeply disappointing weekend, marking back-to-back poor performances and two successively awful outings at Monaco. While he managed to keep his car off the walls during the first two days, his elimination in Q1, placing him 18th, effectively doomed his Sunday before the race had even begun. His excuses of traffic and tyre warming issues, while potentially factors, felt flimsy given the magnitude of his underperformance compared to his teammate and the rest of the field. The race itself ended abruptly and dramatically. While Kevin Magnussen might have been able to back out of the move that led to their frightening, race-ending collision at Beau Rivage, Perez’s aggressive squeeze on the Haas, especially for a mere 17th position on the opening lap, was entirely unnecessary and showed poor judgment. This move demonstrated a clear lack of situational awareness and added to an already dismal weekend, making his performance simply not good enough for a driver of his experience in a top team.
Lewis Hamilton – 5/10
Qualified: 7th (-2 places behind team mate, +0.078s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: Two-stop (H-M-H)
Finished: 7th (-2 places behind team mate)
▶ Ran all weekend without new front wing provided to team mate <
▶ Qualified seventh, just under a tenth slower than team mate
▶ Ran behind Verstappen before being switched onto hards to attempt undercut
▶ Unable to pass the Red Bull and ran seventh until the finish
Lewis Hamilton delivered a respectable performance in Monaco, even if a seventh-place finish doesn’t immediately stand out on the results sheet. It’s crucial to consider his unsubtle implications that he was not afforded the same upgraded front wing as his teammate, a factor that should certainly be kept in mind when directly comparing their performances over the weekend. Qualifying seventh, just under a tenth slower than George Russell, put him in a challenging but not insurmountable position for Sunday. The team attempted to engineer an opportunity for him to undercut Max Verstappen by switching him to hard tyres, but crucially, they failed to adequately warn him to push harder on his outlap. This communication oversight proved costly; after Verstappen emerged ahead, Hamilton found himself effectively stuck in seventh position, unable to make further progress on a circuit where track position is paramount, and he maintained that position until the chequered flag. A solid but ultimately constrained weekend.
George Russell – 6/10
Qualified: 5th (+2 places ahead of team mate, -0.078s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (H-M)
Finished: 5th (+2 places ahead of team mate)
▶ Benefited from new front wing team mate did not get
▲ Secured first top-five grid position since Bahrain
▶ Started on hard tyres but switched to mediums under red flag
▲ Stretched his mediums 77 laps, holding off Verstappen to finish fifth
George Russell emerged from the Monaco Grand Prix weekend with good reason to be satisfied, having once again delivered a quality and composed performance. His access to an upgraded front wing, which his teammate did not receive, likely provided him with a crucial edge, contributing to his strong qualifying result. Securing his first top-five grid position since Bahrain underscored his ability to extract performance when it matters. However, his race performance was truly commendable regardless of the hardware advantage. Starting on hard tyres and then switching to mediums under the red flag, Russell faced the formidable task of making those medium compound tyres last for an extraordinary 77 laps. This demanded immaculate tyre management and a deep understanding of the delicate balance required on the streets of Monaco. The fact that he achieved this, expertly holding off the relentless pressure from Max Verstappen behind him for the duration, to finish fifth, earns him significant credit, particularly over the two world champions who ultimately finished behind him. It was a testament to his maturity and skill under unique race conditions.
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Charles Leclerc – 7/10
Qualified: Pole (+2 places ahead of team mate, -0.248s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: Winner (+2 places ahead of team mate)
▲ Quickest in two of three practice sessions
▲ Secured pole position by 0.15s
▲ Held the lead through two standing starts
▲ Controlled pace of race and managed tyres to claim first home grand prix win
The long-awaited dream finally materialized for Monaco’s beloved son, Charles Leclerc, who clinched his maiden home Grand Prix victory. No one could deny he had thoroughly earned it, even if, due to the peculiar circumstances of the red flag, it might go down as one of the most relaxed victories he will ever experience in Formula 1. Leclerc did absolutely everything within his power and executed flawlessly to ensure that this time, the elusive opportunity would not slip through his fingers. He dominated two of the three practice sessions, secured pole position with a decisive 0.15-second margin, and flawlessly held his lead through both standing starts. Once he had successfully navigated the critical opening lap of the restart in the lead, the remainder of the race became a strategic exercise in pace control and diligent tyre management, leading to a relatively unchallenged victory. While his performance throughout the weekend was impeccable and devoid of error, the absence of sustained on-track pressure after the early incident inevitably limits the overall credit he is entitled to receive for the race itself, despite the immense personal significance of the win.
Carlos Sainz Jnr – 5/10
Qualified: 3rd (-2 places behind team mate, +0.248s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 3rd (-2 places behind team mate)
▶ Couldn’t match team mate in qualifying but still secured third on grid
▶ Avoided a penalty for impeding Gasly
▶ Suffered puncture clashing with Piastri at first start but given reprieve with red flag
▶ Ran behind Piastri in third for entire race, finishing less than a second behind
In a weekend that rightfully belonged to his teammate, Carlos Sainz certainly played his part, albeit perhaps not exactly in the manner he or the Scuderia Ferrari team had initially envisioned. Qualifying third, while not matching Leclerc’s pole, was a perfectly decent result, especially considering the surprisingly close pace McLaren demonstrated in Monaco. However, Sainz was incredibly fortunate to receive a major reprieve from the opening lap chaos. He suffered a puncture after aggressively squeezing Oscar Piastri at Sainte Devote at the original start, an incident that would have almost certainly ended his race or significantly compromised it. The ensuing red flag, caused by the Perez/Magnussen collision, provided him with a ‘get out of jail free’ card, allowing his team to change tyres and repair any damage without losing significant track position. With this second chance, he held onto his third-place position for the entire restarted race, maintaining a consistent gap to Piastri ahead but ultimately unable to mount a serious challenge for second. A largely fortunate but solid podium finish.
Lando Norris – 5/10
Qualified: 4th (-2 places behind team mate, +0.118s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 4th (-2 places behind team mate)
▼ Reprimanded for swerving at Russell in practice
▶ Took fourth on the grid, less than a tenth slower than team mate in Q3
▶ Held fourth after restart to run behind Sainz
▶ Ran fourth throughout the race, pulling away from Russell to finish fourth
Lando Norris, fresh from his breakthrough victory in Miami, would likely not have been thrilled with a fourth-place finish in Monaco, particularly given McLaren’s strong form. However, it was still a perfectly decent and respectable result in the unique context of this Grand Prix. While he received a reprimand for an incident with George Russell during practice, his qualifying performance was strong, securing fourth on the grid and finishing less than a tenth slower than his teammate in Q3. After the red flag and subsequent restart, Norris held onto his fourth position, settling into a familiar train behind Carlos Sainz. The peculiar nature of the race strategy, dictated by the early red flag, meant there was very little he could do in terms of aggressive overtakes or alternative strategies to improve his position. He managed his tyres expertly for the entire race distance, progressively pulling away from Russell behind him, but the inherent difficulties of overtaking at Monaco meant his race was largely decided on Saturday. A solid, if unexciting, points haul.
Oscar Piastri – 6/10
Qualified: 2nd (+2 places ahead of team mate, -0.118s)
Start: Held position
Finished: 2nd (+2 places ahead of team mate)
▲ Just missed out on pole by 0.15s after running in top three in each qualifying phase
▶ Fought Leclerc on opening lap but had to settle for second
▶ Suffered minor loss of downforce following contact from Sainz
▶ Kept within reach of leader until closing laps, finishing seven seconds behind
Oscar Piastri delivered an exceptional performance over the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, securing his first podium of the season and equalling his best-ever Formula 1 finish. He has every right to be immensely proud of his efforts. Piastri was a constant presence in the top three throughout all qualifying phases, narrowly missing out on pole position to Charles Leclerc by a mere 0.15 seconds – a testament to his raw speed and confidence around the challenging street circuit. At the original start, he bravely fought Leclerc for the lead, demonstrating his aggressive intent, but ultimately had to settle for second. He also endured a minor loss of downforce following contact from Carlos Sainz during that chaotic opening lap, an incident for which he was entirely blameless. For the vast majority of the restarted race, it was a straightforward case of managing his tyres to the flag, though he did keep within striking distance of the leader for many laps. As the higher-placed McLaren driver, and given his strong qualifying and resolute race performance under pressure from Sainz, Piastri rightfully earns a higher grade for his excellent display.
Fernando Alonso – 5/10
Qualified: 16th (-2 places behind team mate, +0.291s)
Grid: 14th (+1 place behind team mate)
Start: +1 place
Strategy: One-stop (H-M)
Finished: 11th (+3 places ahead of team mate)
▼ Failed to follow team mate through into Q2, eliminated 16th
▶ Deliberately slowed to build up gap for team mate ahead to pit
▶ Described managing his mediums over 77-laps as “torturous”
▶ Finished just outside the points in 11th, two laps down
Fernando Alonso candidly admitted that he did not have an enjoyable Monaco Grand Prix weekend, as Aston Martin visibly struggled for pace around the unique demands of the principality. The weekend got off to a less-than-ideal start when he was out-qualified by his teammate, Lance Stroll, and consequently eliminated in Q1, lining up 16th on the grid. However, his race performance on Sunday proved to be a more commendable affair. He skillfully gained a position at the start and another during the restart phase. A peculiar strategic call saw him deliberately slow down to create a gap for Stroll to pit, a move that undoubtedly compromised his own race rhythm. Managing his medium tyres for an astounding 76 laps was, as he himself described, “torturous,” yet he executed it without error. He ultimately finished just outside the points in 11th, albeit two laps down due to the extended race distance behind the leaders. Despite the difficult qualifying, his resilient drive on Sunday, gaining three positions relative to his starting grid, allows him to earn an average, acceptable grade for the weekend.
Lance Stroll – 4/10
Qualified: 14th (+2 places ahead of team mate, -0.291s)
Grid: 13th (+1 place ahead of team mate)
Start: +2 places
Strategy: Three-stop (H-M-H-S)
Finished: 14th (-3 places behind team mate)
▶ Reached Q2, unlike team mate, but eliminated in 14th
▶ Pitted for hards and retained 11th place
▼ Suffered self-inflicted puncture after clipping barrier at chicane
▶ Fitted with soft tyres and overtook Zhou and Sargeant to finish 14th
Lance Stroll had the potential to be the higher-placed Aston Martin driver in Monaco, following a decent qualifying performance that saw him reach Q2 while his teammate did not. He further improved his track position by gaining two places on the opening lap. Running just outside the points for a significant portion of the race, Stroll unfortunately ruined his afternoon with a careless and self-inflicted mistake. Shortly after his second pit stop, he clipped the barrier at the chicane, causing a puncture that forced him to pit again, severely compromising his race. This error meant he dropped down the order, losing the crucial 11th place he had diligently maintained. Although he demonstrated some recovery by fitting soft tyres and executing two overtakes on Zhou Guanyu and Logan Sargeant to finish 14th, the fact remains that he should never have lost his initial track position. This avoidable mistake turned a potentially respectable, points-scoring weekend into a frustrating underperformance.
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Pierre Gasly – 6/10
Qualified: 10th (+1 place ahead of team mate, -0.389s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (H-M)
Finished: 10th
▶ Completed just six laps in first practice after PU wastegate problem
▲ Reached Q3 for first time in 2024 to line up tenth
▶ Suffered damage after divebombed by team mate on opening lap
▶ Held onto tenth at restart and made mediums last 77 laps to secure first point
Pierre Gasly’s weekend was almost derailed by an utterly unnecessary and aggressive lunge from his teammate on the opening lap. This incident caused damage to his car and could have ended his race prematurely. However, the subsequent red flag proved to be a stroke of luck, allowing his Alpine team to swiftly repair the damage and give him a fighting chance to compete for his first points of the 2024 season. Despite starting from 10th, Gasly demonstrated impressive resilience and skill. He was tasked with making his medium tyres last for almost the entire remaining race distance (77 laps), a challenge he executed flawlessly without making any significant mistakes. His disciplined drive, combined with his strong qualifying performance that saw him reach Q3 for the first time this year, rightfully earned him a well-deserved tenth-place finish and a crucial point for the team. It was a testament to his mental fortitude and ability to deliver under pressure, overcoming adversity largely of his teammate’s making.
Esteban Ocon – 3/10
Qualified: 11th (-1 place behind team mate, +0.389s)
Strategy: (H)
Finished: Retired (Damage – L1)
▶ Just missed out on following team mate through into Q3, eliminated 11th
▼ Clashed with team mate at Portier at start, suffering race ending damage
▼ Hit with five-place grid drop by stewards for being responsible for collision
Esteban Ocon’s desire to gain an immediate advantage over his teammate after being out-qualified by Pierre Gasly on Saturday led to a reckless and entirely avoidable incident that nearly cost his Alpine team valuable points. His audacious lunge into Portier on the opening lap was a desperate move that would have been incredibly risky even for a final lap pass for a points position, but to attempt such an aggressive manoeuvre in the early stages of the race was utterly careless and showed a severe lack of judgment. The resulting collision with Gasly not only caused race-ending damage to his own car but also compromised his teammate’s race. The stewards correctly attributed blame to Ocon, handing him a five-place grid penalty for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, effectively compromising his next weekend as well. This incident was a clear demonstration of poor decision-making under pressure and merits more than just a simple one-mark deduction; it was a significant misstep that harmed both himself and his team.
Alexander Albon – 7/10
Qualified: 9th (+8 places ahead of team mate, -0.397s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 9th (+6 places ahead of team mate)
▶ Benefited from new upgrades not given to team mate
▲ Reached Q3 to secure Williams’ best Monaco grid position in 13 years
▶ Switched to hard tyres under red flag and retained ninth place
▶ Ran behind Tsunoda for entire race to claim first points in ninth
Alexander Albon delivered a stellar performance that finally secured Williams their first championship points of the season at a circuit that has historically not suited their car’s characteristics for many years. His weekend was undoubtedly aided by receiving the latest car upgrades, which his teammate did not have, giving him a material advantage. Despite this, Albon openly discussed his struggles with tyre management during practice sessions, yet this challenge appeared to be expertly overcome during the Grand Prix itself, showcasing his renowned “tyre whispering” talents. His qualifying performance was arguably one of the best of anyone on Saturday, as he bravely pushed the limits to reach Q3 and secure Williams’s best Monaco grid position in 13 years. Switching to hard tyres under the red flag, Albon then executed a disciplined race, holding his ninth position behind Yuki Tsunoda for the entire duration. This composed and error-free drive ultimately secured him his well-deserved first top-ten finish and crucial points for the team, marking a significant milestone for Williams.
Logan Sargeant – 5/10
Qualified: 17th (-8 places behind team mate, +0.397s)
Grid: 15th (-6 places behind team mate)
Start: +1 place
Strategy: One-stop (H-M)
Finished: 15th (-6 places behind team mate)
▶ Raced without upgrades given to team mate over the weekend
▶ Knocked out of Q1 but out-qualified a Red Bull
▶ Restarted on same hard tyres he had made original start on, losing place to Bottas
▶ Pitted for mediums late in the race, falling last
▲ Pulled off good pass on Zhou to move into 15th where he would finish
While a cursory glance at Logan Sargeant’s results in Monaco might suggest another fruitless and ineffective performance, this was far from the full story of his weekend. Crucially, Sargeant raced without the same specification of car as his teammate, Alexander Albon, putting him at an inherent disadvantage. Despite this, his qualifying performance, while leading to a Q1 elimination, was not poor, as he still managed to out-qualify a Red Bull (Sergio Perez). His race was significantly compromised by his team’s perplexing strategy call at the restart; by remaining on the same hard tyres he had started on, he immediately lost a position to Valtteri Bottas. This decision ensured he was always going to lose out to those around him who benefited from fresh tyres. However, Sargeant deserves credit for not making any major mistakes throughout the weekend. He demonstrated good race craft, notably pulling off an opportunistic pass on Zhou Guanyu late in the race with fresher medium tyres to climb to 15th, where he ultimately finished. Considering his equipment disadvantage and the strategic misstep, his performance warrants a decent mark.
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Yuki Tsunoda – 6/10
Qualified: 8th (+5 places ahead of team mate, -0.376s)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 8th (+4 places ahead of team mate)
▲ Reached Q3, unlike team mate, to line up eighth on the grid
▶ Fitted hard tyres for restart and maintained position
▶ Could not keep pace with Hamilton but ensured Albon behind could not challenge
▲ Secured another top ten finish with eighth
Yuki Tsunoda delivered yet another impressive weekend, consistently adding valuable points to his steadily growing tally in the 2024 season. Like many drivers who finished in the top ten at Monaco, his strong result was predominantly secured through his excellent qualifying performance on Saturday. Tsunoda pushed the RB car to its limits, reaching Q3 and securing a commendable eighth spot on the grid, significantly outperforming his multiple Grand Prix-winning teammate. This established him as the fastest driver outside of the traditional top four teams, an impressive feat in itself. During the race, he judiciously fitted hard tyres for the restart and skillfully maintained his track position. While he couldn’t quite match the pace of Lewis Hamilton ahead, he expertly managed his tyres and pace to ensure that Alexander Albon behind him was never able to mount a serious challenge. His race, like many others, was largely uneventful, but his ability to execute a flawless performance from his strong grid position, coupled with his superior pace over his teammate, marks him as a standout performer for RB once again, securing a solid eighth place.
Daniel Ricciardo – 4/10
Qualified: 13th (-5 places behind team mate, +0.376s)
Grid: 12th (-4 places behind team mate)
Start: Held position
Strategy: One-stop (M-H)
Finished: 12th (-4 places behind team mate)
▼ Knocked out of Q2 three tenths slower than team mate
▼ Lost place to Stroll at start, then second to Alonso at restart
▶ Stuck behind slow-going Alonso for bulk of the race
▶ Finished within a second of Alonso in 12th
For a former Monaco Grand Prix winner, Daniel Ricciardo’s performance this past weekend unfortunately bore little resemblance to the driver who once stood on the top step, and arguably should have done so twice, in his F1 career. Once more, he found himself comprehensively out-performed by his younger teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, when it mattered most – in the crucial qualifying session. Ricciardo was knocked out in Q2, a significant three-tenths slower than Tsunoda. His race further compounded these issues, as he lost a position to Lance Stroll at the initial start and then another to Fernando Alonso at the restart. His afternoon was then spent in a frustrating battle, stuck behind the slower-moving Alonso for the vast majority of the race, unable to find a way past on the tight streets of Monte Carlo. While he finished within a second of Alonso in 12th, the reality is that if he had performed better leading up to that point – particularly in qualifying, much like his teammate had – he could have entirely avoided finding himself in that unenviable scenario. A disappointing weekend overall for the Australian.
Valtteri Bottas – 6/10
Qualified: 19th (+1 place ahead of team mate, -0.516s)
Grid: 17th (+1 place ahead of team mate)
Start: +2 places
Strategy: Two-stop (H-M-H)
Finished: 13th (+3 places ahead of team mate)
▼ Crashed out of final practice at Swimming Pool
▶ Eliminated from Q1 but ahead of team mate
▲ Got ahead of Sargeant at the restart, then pitted for hard tyres
▲ Passed Zhou and Sargeant to claim 13th, finishing just behind Ricciardo
Valtteri Bottas faced an early setback on Saturday morning when he crashed his Sauber car during the final practice session at the challenging Swimming Pool section, immediately putting him under pressure. Despite this incident, he managed to rebound admirably over the rest of the weekend. Although Sauber were realistically among the slowest teams on the Monaco circuit, Bottas did a commendable job of maximizing their limited potential. While eliminated from Q1, he still managed to out-qualify his teammate, Zhou Guanyu. His race performance was particularly strong; he skilfully gained two positions at the start and then decisively got ahead of Logan Sargeant at the restart. He then made an opportunistic pit stop for hard tyres and continued to make progress, demonstrating good race craft by passing both Zhou and Sargeant again later in the race. Ultimately claiming 13th position in what was clearly the slowest car on the grid is a highly respectable result and a testament to his experience and ability to extract every ounce of performance available, finishing just behind the more powerful RB of Daniel Ricciardo.
Zhou Guanyu – 4/10
Qualified: 20th (-1 place behind team mate, +0.516s)
Grid: 18th (+1 place behind team mate)
Start: +2 places
Strategy: Two-stop (M-H-S)
Finished: 16th (-3 places behind team mate)
▼ Clipped the Sainte Devote barrier in first practice
▼ Eliminated slowest in Q1, half a second behind team mate
▶ Avoided chaos ahead of him at start, then restarted on hards
▼ Caught and passed by team mate, then mugged by Sargeant at Mirabeau
▶ Pitted for softs and finished last on track
This was far from Zhou Guanyu’s strongest weekend in Formula 1, even if he did manage to avoid seriously damaging his Sauber car across the three days of the event. From the outset, he never seemed to find the same rhythm or pace as his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, an issue compounded by the fact that the Sauber was demonstrably not quick around the demanding street circuit. He clipped the Sainte Devote barrier in first practice, setting a tentative tone, and then was eliminated slowest in Q1, a significant half-second behind Bottas. While he successfully avoided the initial chaos at the first start, and restarted on hard tyres, his race performance deteriorated. He was eventually caught and passed by his teammate, and then rather embarrassingly “mugged” for position by Logan Sargeant under blue flags at Mirabeau, a moment that highlighted his lack of competitive edge. Pitting for softs late in the race, he ultimately finished last on track, nearly 30 seconds behind his teammate. This performance was not indicative of a great afternoon for Zhou.
Nico Hulkenberg – 5/10
Qualified: 12th (+3 places ahead of team mate, -0.285s)
Grid: 19th (+1 place ahead of team mate)
Strategy: (M)
Finished: Retired (Crashed – L1)
▶ Reached Q2 but eliminated in 12th ahead of team mate
▶ Disqualified from qualifying due to illegal rear wing
▶ Retired on opening lap caught up in Magnussen/Perez collision
Nico Hulkenberg arrived in Monaco with an unlikely but present outside chance of adding another top-ten finish to his season, a possibility he bolstered with a strong qualifying performance that saw him place 12th, ahead of his teammate. However, this promising position was cruelly stripped away when his car was disqualified from qualifying due to an illegal rear wing, relegating him to the very back of the grid in 19th. Sadly for Hulkenberg, his race never truly had a chance to begin. He was an innocent bystander, caught up in the dramatic opening-lap collision between Kevin Magnussen and Sergio Perez while attempting to navigate through the chaos at the last second. Although his car was deemed illegal on Saturday, it is crucial to note that his rating will not be penalized for an infraction he was entirely unaware of and had no control over. His actual driving performance leading up to the race start, especially his qualifying lap, demonstrated his skill, but circumstances conspired against him for a truly disappointing and premature end to his Grand Prix.
Kevin Magnussen – 4/10
Qualified: 15th (-3 places behind team mate, +0.285s)
Grid: 20th (1 place behind team mate)
Strategy: (H)
Finished: Retired (Crash – L1)
▶ Followed team mate into Q2 but knocked out in 15th
▶ Disqualified from qualifying due to illegal rear wing
▼ Crashed out at start after colliding with Perez on run out of Sainte Devote
Given that Kevin Magnussen is currently treading perilously close to a potential race ban due to an accumulation of penalty points, his decision to risk trying to force the issue with Sergio Perez on the run up Beau Rivage on the opening lap, while near the back of the field, seemed remarkably unwise in hindsight. While the stewards ultimately deemed it a racing incident, avoiding a penalty and a potential ban, his aggressive manoeuvre initiated the dramatic multi-car collision. However, it’s also true that Perez appeared to squeeze him unnecessarily, and responsibility for the crash should probably be shared. This incident brought a premature and frustrating end to a weekend where, once again, Magnussen wasn’t quite at the same tempo as his teammate, Nico Hulkenberg, despite doing well to reach Q2. The subsequent disqualification from qualifying due to an illegal rear wing further marred his weekend, adding to the list of challenges. Ultimately, a regrettable outcome for a driver under such intense scrutiny.
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Further Insights and Analysis from the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix
For more in-depth coverage, analysis, and behind-the-scenes stories from the high-stakes 2024 Monaco Grand Prix weekend, explore these related articles:
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Browse all 2024 Monaco Grand Prix articles