Monaco F1 Radio Exposes Dangerous Driving

The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix will undoubtedly be remembered as one of Formula 1’s most peculiar and strategically constrained races in recent memory, rather than a thrilling spectacle. The iconic street circuit, usually a crucible of high-stakes precision and unexpected turns, delivered an outcome largely dictated by a dramatic first-lap incident.

A multi-car pile-up on the opening lap triggered an immediate red flag, halting the entire field. This unforeseen interruption presented a unique strategic conundrum: every team had a ‘free’ opportunity to make their mandatory pit stop, effectively eliminating the tactical variation typically seen in Grand Prix races. Drivers could switch to a different tire compound and cruise to the checkered flag, knowing they wouldn’t need to pit again.

From the candid radio exchanges throughout the race, it was evident that many drivers shared the frustration of the spectators. This early red flag snatched away their primary chance to gain positions on a track where overtaking is notoriously challenging, almost impossible under normal racing conditions. The traditional ebb and flow of pit stop strategies, crucial for altering track position, was entirely nullified.

However, these strange circumstances also forced teams and drivers into some truly unusual tactical maneuvers and led to a series of surprising, revealing remarks over the team radios. These communications offer a fascinating glimpse into the minds of the competitors and the strategic dilemmas faced by their engineers in a Grand Prix unlike any other.

2024 Monaco Grand Prix Team Radio Insights

Navigate through the key radio moments that defined the strategic landscape of the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix:

“The crash was actually quite big”
Sainz: “Please tell me we go again”
Ocon: “That’s it, guys”
Hamilton: “Check the bib”
“We go to the end”
Russell: “We’re driving so slow.”
Albon: “Going to take out my front wing”
“Gasly needs to stop again”
Alonso: “I’m not sure what we’re doing.”
“Hamilton is just playing a slow, fast, slow game”
Hamilton: “Do I need to go any faster?”
Leclerc: “What did you say?”
Sainz: “Where would Lando exit?”
Verstappen: “I thought the ride was bad yesterday”
Alonso: “I thought that we were P10”

“The crash was actually quite big”

The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix started with a bang, literally. A major first-lap collision involving Sergio Perez, Kevin Magnussen, and Nico Hulkenberg at Sainte Dévote brought the race to an immediate standstill. The severity of the incident, which saw significant debris and damage, prompted a swift red flag. Race leader Charles Leclerc, with his new race engineer Bryan Bozzi making only his second appearance in the role, was quickly informed to anticipate a prolonged delay before any restart. This initial communication set the tone for a race that would be defined by its unique strategic circumstances rather than on-track battles.

Lap: 1/78 LEC: 40’56.330
Bozzi	Double yellow. Carlos had an issue.
Bozzi	Stay positive, red flag. Go to the pit lane.
Leclerc	Is everybody okay?
Bozzi	Everybody is fine. Carlos had a puncture. Come back to the pit lane and form a queue.
Leclerc	Copy that.
Bozzi	You stop where the garages end.
Leclerc	I get out of the car?
Bozzi	Yeah. So just to inform you, the crash was actually quite big between Perez and Hulkenberg but they’re fine. So it will take a bit.
Leclerc	Yeah, copy. I get out.
Bozzi	Yes. You get out.

Sainz: “Please tell me we go again”

Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate, Carlos Sainz Jnr, experienced a heart-stopping moment at the very start of the race. Following a collision with Oscar Piastri, who started second, Sainz incurred a puncture on his front-left tire. He was forced to pull over, seemingly out of contention, dropping from third to 16th place. However, the subsequent red flag, declared due to the major incident further back, provided Sainz with an extraordinary lifeline. Under F1 regulations, if a race is red-flagged before two full sectors are completed by all cars, the grid order reverts to the last completed timing point. To his immense relief, and mirroring a similar stroke of luck at the Australian Grand Prix last year, Sainz was able to reclaim his original third-place starting position, effectively receiving a ‘free’ pit stop to change his damaged tire and resume the race in a competitive spot.

Lap: 1/78 SAI: 41’02.721
Sainz	Have a puncture.
Adami	Sains skids off and stops at the exit of Casino K2 off. Puncture, front-left.
Adami	Sainz reverses out and continues Just try to come back if you can.
Sainz	Yeah I’m on it.
Sainz	It’s puncture or front wing?
Adami	Puncture for sure. Front wing we are checking. K2 off.
Adami	And red flag
Sainz	Please, please tell me we go again.
Adami	Can check.
Sainz	Ricky, what do you think?
Adami	Just stop in the queue. And we are checking, I’ll let you know.
Sainz	Ricky, please tell me we start P3. It’s like Australia, no?
Sainz	Ricky? I’m in the pits
Adami	Copy. Stop there.

Ocon: “That’s it, guys”

Esteban Ocon became the fourth retirement on the opening lap, but under far more frustrating circumstances: an intra-team collision with his Alpine teammate, Pierre Gasly. The incident, which occurred at Portier, left Ocon’s car significantly damaged. Despite managing to bring his A524 back to the pits during the red flag period, the damage, including a broken rear-left arm and rim, proved to be terminal. The team’s inspection confirmed the irreparable state of the car, forcing Ocon out of the race prematurely. This unfortunate incident highlighted the intense pressure and tight margins of Monaco, even leading to contact between teammates, and signaled a disappointing end for one of the Alpine cars.

Lap: 1/78 OCO:
Ocon	That’s it, guys. I will return the car but we have damage.
Peckett	‘Yeah rear-left puncture. Diff high speed 14, please. We have a red flag. Recharge on please, recharge on. So Esteban we’re going to box now. Red flag. Line up in the fast lane, please. We’re going to assess damage.
Ocon	‘Yep. Get ready, it’s rear-left.
Peckett	Yep we see that, we’re getting prepped.
Peckett	Okay, so we’re boxing now, lining up in the fast lane.
Ocon	I see an arm which is broken, the rim obviously.
Peckett	Yeah so we’re going to come down and assess everything now. Guys will be down as quickly as they can and we’ll go from there. So hang tight for a moment.

Hamilton: “Check the bib”

Even seasoned veterans like Lewis Hamilton harbored concerns about potential damage to their cars following the chaotic opening lap. As he made his way into the pits under the red flag, Hamilton’s broadcast message, “I told you guys,” was interpreted as a reference to his strategic preference for starting the race on the medium compound tire. His reasoning was sound: an early red flag would allow a ‘free’ switch to the more durable hard compound, offering a significant advantage for a full-length stint. Beyond strategy, Hamilton also expressed a more immediate worry, asking his team to “Check the bib” – referring to the car’s underfloor or plank – after he appeared to run over Turn 1. This highlights the constant battle for car integrity on the demanding Monaco circuit, even in the immediate aftermath of an incident.

Lap: 1/78 HAM: 41’23.804
Bonnington	So we have an incident down at turn three. Cars stopped. Okay. Red flag. Red flag. Red flag, red flag. Keep delta positive. So we’ll be into the pit lane. So staying in the fast lane.
Hamilton	I told you guys. I told you guys.
Bonnington	So into the pit lane. Just pull up behind Verstappen, give yourself a little bit of space.
Hamilton	Check the floor. Went over turn one, just check the bib.
Hamilton	Shall I turn the car off?

“We go to the end”

The red flag on the first lap fundamentally reshaped the strategic landscape of the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix. With an enforced stoppage, virtually every team seized the opportunity to change tires and eliminate the need for any further pit stops. This effectively turned the remaining 77 laps into a single, long stint where tire management became paramount. Ferrari’s race engineer, Bryan Bozzi, inadvertently confirmed this plan to Charles Leclerc before the restart, stating the intention to “go to the end.” Once the race resumed, Ferrari advised Leclerc to carefully manage his pace. The objective was to prevent the cars immediately behind him from building a sufficient lead over their pursuers, which might allow them a ‘free’ pit stop without losing track position. This cautious approach was vital for maintaining Leclerc’s lead and securing his home victory, turning the race into a delicate balance of pace preservation over outright speed.

Lap: 2/78 LEC: 2’57.857
Bozzi	Two burnouts. Two burnouts.
Bozzi	The race restarts Last car on the grid.
Lap: 4/78 LEC: 1’22.625
Bozzi	And slow intro.
Bozzi	DRS enabled.
Lap: 8/78 LEC: 1’21.030
Bozzi	We are happy with your tyre management. Keep it like this.
Lap: 10/78 LEC: 1’20.775
Leclerc	Can you tell me about the front saturation in turn seven, please?
Lap: 11/78 LEC: 1’21.046
Bozzi	Front saturation is good, 68 laps to go.
Lap: 12/78 LEC: 1’20.252
Bozzi	Race update. We are opening a gap to Russell because he’s on mediums and saving more than us, the top four. Not an issue. Keep up.

Russell: “We’re driving so slow.”

Four positions behind the race leader Charles Leclerc, George Russell found himself in a peculiar strategic position. As the first driver on the medium tire compound, he was also instructed by his team to maintain a meticulously slow pace. This mandate, while crucial for extending tire life to the checkered flag, led to palpable frustration for Russell. He voiced concerns that the extremely subdued pace could leave him vulnerable to Max Verstappen, who was closely behind him. Russell’s team, however, reassured him, focusing on managing oxidation warnings and instructing him to prioritize their orders for tire preservation. This dilemma perfectly encapsulated the strategic tightrope walk in the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix: balancing tire longevity with maintaining competitive position and fending off potential attacks from rivals.

Lap: 14/78 RUS: 1’20.272
Russell	You just tell me what you want me to do.
Lap: 15/78 RUS: 1’20.202
Dudley	So keep doing what you’re doing.
Lap: 16/78 RUS: 1’19.913
Dudley	So George, happy to reduce management 15, 16, 18, 19. And George, oxidation warnings are no issue so don’t worry about those, just follow my orders.
Lap: 17/78 RUS: 1’20.150
Russell	How hot is the front-left turn eight?
Lap: 18/78 RUS: 1’19.438
Dudley	So surface temp at turn eight is below the window.
Russell	So are you scared of me sliding it there or not?
Lap: 19/78 RUS: 1’20.157
Dudley	Yeah. We don’t want to be sliding the tyre too much there turn eight.
Russell	Okay shout when Verstappen gets in the one second.
Dudley	Affirm.
Russell	It’s just that we’re driving so slow, I think it would be easy just to pounce in a sector and gain a second and a half or so. Are any gaps opening up behind?
Lap: 20/78 RUS: 1’20.053
Dudley	So the gap to Tsunoda is opening up behind us. So you’ve got Verstappen at 1.2.
Russell	Only under one second, please.
Lap: 21/78 RUS: 1’19.788
Dudley	Yeah. Copy that.

Albon: “Going to take out my front wing”

In the monotonous procession that characterized much of the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, Alexander Albon found himself trapped behind Yuki Tsunoda, another driver meticulously managing his pace for tactical reasons. As the laps dragged on, Albon’s frustration grew increasingly vocal. He repeatedly warned his Williams team that Tsunoda’s excessively slow driving was creating a dangerous situation, risking contact with his front wing. This highlights the inherent difficulties of racing on the narrow Monaco streets, where even a slight misjudgment due to slow leading cars can have severe consequences. Albon’s exasperation underscored the unfulfilling nature of the race for many drivers, who were reduced to managing gaps and tires rather than engaging in genuine competition.

Lap: 36/78 ALB: 1’21.628
Albon	What’s going on behind?
Urwin	So it’s eight seconds back to Gasly and Stroll. They’re on the medium. They don’t need to pit again but they’re on the medium.
Lap: 37/78 ALB: 1’20.775
Urwin	So that’s just a case of everybody managing tyres to prevent any graining. It’s 42 laps to go.
Lap: 41/78 ALB: 1’19.329
Albon	Just trying to reduce [lift-and-coast] and get the bulk up a little bit. It’s dropping a little bit too much.
Lap: 42/78 ALB: 1’20.084
Urwin	So the gap to Tsunoda was four, he’s been asked to slow down. Gap now two-and-a-half.
Albon	Why are they making him slow down so much?
Urwin	Probably just trying to get to the end. It’s 37 laps to go.
Lap: 45/78 ALB: 1’21.748
Albon	What’s the gap behind?
Lap: 48/78 ALB: 1’19.321
Albon	The problem is this pace is too slow for my tyre temps. So I need to get Yuki to get a move on.
Lap: 61/78 ALB: 1’20.222
Urwin	Tsunoda is trying to back you up so that we don’t get a safety car stop window on Gasly.
Albon	Don’t look… Okay.
Albon	Yeah. He’s really dangerous.
Lap: 62/78 ALB: 1’19.506
Albon	Going to take out my front wing with him.
Urwin	The situation ahead has been reported.
Albon	Reported, but it’s not changing.
Lap: 63/78 ALB: 1’23.085
Urwin	Copy that. So that’s blue for George, Verstappen right behind him. And then a four-second gap to Hamilton.

“Gasly needs to stop again”

One of the more notable strategic missteps in the race came from the RB team regarding Pierre Gasly. Yuki Tsunoda was instructed to deliberately restrict his pace, partly because his team believed Gasly, a direct competitor, would still need to make another pit stop to satisfy the mandatory two-compound tire rule. RB’s strategists had misread Gasly’s situation, not realizing that he, like most of the field, had also switched to a different tire compound during the red flag period, thus completing his mandatory stop. This miscalculation led to Tsunoda driving slower than necessary, impacting his own race and contributing to the frustratingly processional nature of the midfield. It underscored how critical real-time information and accurate opponent strategy assessment are, especially in a race disrupted by a red flag.

Lap: 8/78 TSU: 1’21.651
Spini	You’re doing well, Yuki. Just save tyre.
Lap: 11/78 TSU: 1’21.289
Spini	Yuki everybody will go to the end except Gasly. There is two cars behind you.
Lap: 12/78 TSU: 1’21.089
Tsunoda	Why Gasly not?
Spini	He fitted the medium again, so he will need to fit the hard at some point.
Lap: 13/78 TSU: 1’20.682
Spini	Yuki we are very happy on our tyre management. Keep doing this. Keep managing.
Lap: 25/78 TSU: 1’20.329
Tsunoda	Are you happy with this pace?
Spini	We are happy.
Lap: 33/78 TSU: 1’20.749
Tsunoda	I think Alex Albon is… keeps doing mode one and will try to overtake me.
Spini	Copy. You can defend cleverly, Yuki. And press and hold always available.

Alonso: “I’m not sure what we’re doing.”

Aston Martin once again deployed Fernando Alonso in a tactical role to benefit his teammate, Lance Stroll. Alonso, running out of the points, was instructed to significantly reduce his pace. The aim was to create a large enough gap behind him, effectively backing up rivals, to allow Stroll to make a pit stop for fresh tires without losing his track position. This strategy, dubbed “Plan B plus one” and then “Plan B plus two,” aimed to give Stroll an advantage later in the race. Alonso, clearly confused and frustrated by this team-centric approach, repeatedly questioned the strategy, highlighting his desire to push. Despite his efforts to hold back the field, Stroll’s subsequent incident, where he hit the barrier and suffered a puncture, rendered Alonso’s sacrificial driving ultimately futile, adding to the Spaniard’s visible dissatisfaction.

Lap: 19/78 ALO: 1’20.605
Alonso	We want to try to overtake the cars in front? At least with one car?
Cronin	Copy, Fernando, copy.
Lap: 20/78 ALO: 1’21.110
Alonso	So no one has to stop in front?
Cronin	Okay Fernando so nobody ahead has to box, nobody ahead has to box. The people ahead on mediums are managing the most but we do think the hards have got a tough time too. And we are looking at plan B. We’ll get back to you on plan B.
Alonso	Copy. The Plan B is for everyone [unclear] so when the leaders are coming, maybe to don’t lose seconds one car can stop, something.
Lap: 21/78 ALO: 1’20.317
Cronin	Yeah, yeah. Copy.
Lap: 23/78 ALO: 1’20.246
Alonso	What are you thinking? I can try also to attack the cars in front and tyres, if they’re gone, they’re gone. I’m out of the points anyway. But let me know.
Lap: 24/78 ALO: 1’21.413
Cronin	Yeah copy that.
Cronin	So Fernando our preference is to do plan B. It’s plan B plus one now. Plan B plus one.
Alonso	Yeah, okay.
Lap: 32/78 ALO: 1’21.010
Alonso	Let me know, I’m not sure what we’re doing.
Cronin	Yeah, we’re obviously trying but Lance is struggling a little bit ahead.
Lap: 34/78 ALO: 1’20.877
Cronin	So Fernando I know you trying and it’s tough, but if you could go any… plan B plus two, that would be good. Plan B plus two.
Alonso	Where are the leaders?
Lap: 35/78 ALO: 1’20.432
Cronin	Okay Fernando so the top four are 17 seconds behind you. So Leclerc 17 seconds behind and they’re all together within five seconds.
Lap: 37/78 ALO: 1’21.512
Cronin	This is good. You’re doing a good job.
Lap: 38/78 ALO: 1’21.082
Cronin	Okay Fernando so about three laps the leaders will catch the back of our train, which is Bottas.

However to the team’s disappointment Stroll hit the barrier soon after taking fresh tyres. That gave him a puncture which ruined his race:

Lap: 41/78 STR: 1’20.200
Vizard	Gasly has been told to back us up, so now’s the time to have a bit of fun. HPP on, single press HPP.
Stroll	Need you to help me out here.
Vizard	We are looking, we are looking.
Lap: 42/78 STR: 1’37.062
Vizard	Box opposite Gasly, opposite Gasly.
Lap: 45/78 STR: 1’18.806
Vizard	Lance the leaders will be with Gasly in around 12 laps. He’s already in our pit window so we just need to get to the back of him and have some tyre.
Lap: 48/78 STR: 1’49.132
Stroll	Puncture.
Vizard	Box [unclear].
Vizard	Okay Lance it’ll be a slow stop, we’ve got a left-rear puncture. Soft tyre.

“Hamilton is just playing a slow, fast, slow game”

Max Verstappen found himself caught between the two Mercedes drivers for much of the race, leading to a late-race tactical battle for the fastest lap. After his pit stop, Lewis Hamilton deliberately varied his pace, prompting Verstappen’s race engineer to comment, “Hamilton is just playing a slow, fast, slow game,” indicating his clear interest in setting the fastest lap. Verstappen, despite also pitting for fresh tires, was unable to match Hamilton’s pace or fully capitalize on the opportunity to chase George Russell ahead. This segment of the race provided a rare moment of genuine competition, showcasing Hamilton’s determination to extract any possible advantage, even if only for a single point, in an otherwise processional Grand Prix. However, Verstappen’s frustrations with his car’s performance, particularly over the bumpy Monaco circuit, prevented him from mounting a serious challenge.

Lap: 52/78 VER: 1’33.905
Lambiase	Okay so Hamilton in, Max. Push up for the moment. Push up to Russell.
Verstappen	You want me to push?
Verstappen	Yeah, just this lap for now. I don’t think there’s too much drama either way, Max.
Verstappen	Box and pit confirm Max. Box, pit confirm. Strat 12 in pit lane. Strat nine and yellow line on the exit. Strat nine, yellow line on the exit. Could be close with Hamilton, although I don’t think so. Could be close though. Yellow line on the exit.
Lap: 53/78 VER: 1’18.724
Lambiase	No, nice lap Max, well done. So let’s push on now. Push on.
Lap: 59/78 VER: 1’14.748
Verstappen	Mate, battery, no one is watching it again.
Lap: 61/78 VER: 1’15.121
Lambiase	For reference, Hamilton is just playing a slow, fast, slow game. Just interested in a purple lap. Focus on the car ahead.
Lap: 64/78 VER: 1’16.619
Lambiase	Maybe give yourself a breather, then look for the fastest lap, if you’re interested.
Lambiase	Currently, purple lap is a 14.1. That’s -0.4 on your dash.
Lap: 66/78 VER: 1’16.121
Lambiase	Okay, let’s take a breather Max for two laps, cool the front brakes. Hamilton at 1.5.

Hamilton: “Do I need to go any faster?”

In a race largely devoid of on-track action, Lewis Hamilton seized one of the few opportunities for genuine competition: securing the fastest lap. After making a late pit stop for fresh, softer tires, Hamilton found himself chasing Max Verstappen. This allowed him a brief window to push his Mercedes to its limits, contrasting sharply with the tire-saving directives issued to many drivers earlier in the race. His query to his engineer, “Do I need to go any faster?” highlighted his competitive instinct and his eagerness to maximize any available performance. Hamilton successfully claimed the fastest lap, earning an additional championship point and demonstrating that even in a strategically stifled race, there are still small victories to be fought for.

Lap: 55/78 HAM: 1’16.492
Bonnington	And Verstappen a 15.8, George 18.2.
Lap: 60/78 HAM: 1’15.848
Hamilton	Do you want me to put that time further out of reach?
Lap: 61/78 HAM: 1’15.274
Bonnington	Yeah, we just have to see how Verstappen responds. He was 15.3 last lap. So George 16.6, Verstappen 15.3. Gap to George 8.4.
Hamilton	Are you… are we supposed to be closing that gap?
Bonnington	You are doing it naturally, Lewis, so just keep closing that gap.
Bonnington	This tyre is more resilient.
Lap: 65/78 HAM: 1’15.190
Hamilton	Do I need to go any faster?
Bonnington	You still hold the fastest lap. Verstappen may try to push back and go himself but he is at the moment stuck behind George.

Leclerc: “What did you say?”

The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix also offered a window into the evolving relationship between Charles Leclerc and his new race engineer, Bryan Bozzi. Throughout the race, Leclerc frequently sought clarification, indicating that the pair are still fine-tuning their communication and understanding each other’s nuances. This dynamic was humorously highlighted when Leclerc offered to provide Bozzi with an update on his pace “margin.” Bozzi’s blunt, yet strategically motivated, refusal to hear it (“No, Charles, we’re not interested. We know.”) became a light-hearted exchange, especially as that specific interaction was broadcast on the world feed. Ferrari’s quick decision to shut down such open discussions on team radio underscored the importance of not revealing sensitive strategic information to rival teams, even in seemingly mundane situations. Despite the initial communication hurdles, Leclerc and Bozzi ultimately navigated the unique strategic challenges to secure a momentous home victory.

Lap: 23/78 LEC: 1’18.458
Leclerc	Update me on tyre energies compared to Carlos.
Bozzi	Very similar.
Leclerc	‘Very similar’, you said?
Leclerc	Yes and we are happy. Keep up, keep it up.
Lap: 29/78 LEC: 1’19.053
Bozzi	Our pit stop tail is on Russell, so we have to match his lap time or slightly faster. That is what’s our main target now.
Bozzi	So we need to be doing 18.6, not faster. This lap time is good.
Lap: 30/78 LEC: 1’19.935
Leclerc	You said you don’t want to open on Russell? Or you want to open?
Bozzi	We do not. We do not. So we either lap the same or slower.
Bozzi	Russell 18.6.
Lap: 37/78 LEC: 1’18.925
Bozzi	If you can, we need to slow down a bit.
Leclerc	Yeah, I mean, what’s the scope of that?
Bozzi	We are preventing McLaren to have a pit stop window because we have no rush on this happening.
Leclerc	I didn’t get it, but that makes me push in the slow speed which I don’t like.
Lap: 38/78 LEC: 1’18.528
Bozzi	Okay. Priority one is tyres. So if you can’t, just do what you can.
Leclerc	Copy. Why on [unclear] written Virtual Safety Car ending?
Bozzi	Not sure, but everything’s okay. Soon you will start getting the lappers ahead. Eight seconds, Bottas.
Leclerc	Copy that.
Lap: 39/78 LEC: 1’18.181
Bozzi	40 laps to go. You will start feeling the wake soon so take care on the driving.
Leclerc	I didn’t understand, say again, speak slowly.
Bozzi	Soon you will start feeling the wake of the cars. So be careful.
Lap: 40/78 LEC: 1’18.733
Bozzi	Mode race, mode race.
Lap: 46/78 LEC: 1’18.567
Bozzi	Russell 18.2.
Leclerc	Just for your info, I think I have around… I mean, do you want to know the margin?
Bozzi	No, Charles, we’re not interested. We know.
Leclerc	You said ‘no’ right?
Bozzi	No, we are not interested.
Leclerc	Joking That’s rude.
Lap: 47/78 LEC: 1’19.185
Bozzi	Sorry. Russell 18.5.
Lap: 55/78 LEC: 1’17.444
Bozzi	Race update, P6 and seven Verstappen and Hamilton pitted for hards, Russell going to the end in P5.
Leclerc	What did you say? Speak to me in the slow section.
Bozzi	P6 Max and P7 Hamilton pitted for hards. Russell staying out in P5.

Sainz: “Where would Lando exit?”

Despite his miraculous reprieve on the first lap, Carlos Sainz remained acutely aware of his strategic vulnerabilities, particularly concerning Lando Norris. With the entire field on a one-stop strategy, the threat of Norris gaining a “free” pit stop under a Safety Car or VSC, or even through a perfectly timed conventional stop, was a constant concern. Sainz meticulously questioned his engineer about Norris’s potential exit position after a hypothetical pit stop, emphasizing his determination to prevent McLaren from gaining any strategic advantage. This proactive communication underlined the razor-thin margins and the defensive racing strategy that characterized much of the midfield battle in Monaco, where track position was everything and any potential loophole had to be vigilantly monitored.

Lap: 39/78 SAI: 1’18.310
Adami	Where would Lando exit now?
Adami	Between Russell and Verstappen.
Sainz	In case of Safety or in a normal?
Adami	Normal.
Sainz	Shouldn’t we slow down then?
Lap: 41/78 SAI: 1’18.714
Sainz	Last lap Verstappen?
Lap: 42/78 SAI: 1’19.171
Adami	Charles lap time 18.1. Verstappen 18.2.
Lap: 44/78 SAI: 1’18.762
Sainz	Let me know the gap behind. I don’t Lance to box for a medium. We would be very vulnerable.
Adami	For Lando’s between.. behind Verstappen, for info.
Sainz	Yeah but keep me posted. If he suddenly gets a better window.
Adami	Yeah, sure.
Sainz	We cannot allow that.
Lap: 55/78 SAI: 1’18.661
Adami	Now Russell went through traffic. So our update is in front of him. Lando as well.
Sainz	Should I slow down?
Adami	Hamilton, Verstappen boxed as well. Blue flag to Tsunoda in front.
Lap: 56/78 SAI: 1’18.119
Adami	Lando 0.5 behind.
Sainz	Hamilton and Verstappen have pitted?
Adami	They boxed already, yeah.
Sainz	But Russell hasn’t?
Adami	No, he is going to the end apparently.
Sainz	What is my interest here?
Adami	The priority is still to keep the gap to Piastri in front, seven seconds.
Sainz	Yeah but this is easy. Tell me behind.
Sainz	Is Lando behind Russell on the pit window?
Adami	On top of it.
Lap: 57/78 SAI: 1’17.599
Adami	Land 0.5 behind. Now Russell has picked up the pace. He is in free air.
Adami	Charles could slow down Piastri a bit and we are both safe.
Adami	Copy that.

Verstappen: “I thought the ride was bad yesterday”

Charles Leclerc’s victory in Monaco highlighted a challenging weekend for Red Bull, particularly for Max Verstappen, who struggled significantly with his car’s performance over the notoriously bumpy street circuit. Post-race, Verstappen candidly expressed his profound dissatisfaction with the car’s ride, lamenting, “I thought the ride was bad yesterday but this was another level. My body is completely broken.” This remark underscored the physical toll the RB20’s setup took on him, especially over Monaco’s demanding kerbs. Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, echoed the sentiment, acknowledging it was “probably one of the world’s most boring races” due to the red flag neutralizing all strategy. Verstappen himself reflected on how the early red flag “completely destroyed any kind of strategy,” forcing him into a tedious tire-saving exercise rather than an engaging race, thus denying any opportunity to showcase the car’s usual performance.

Chequered flag
Lambiase	Okay, that’s that. Well done, mate.
Verstappen	Oh, I thought the ride was bad yesterday but this was another level. My body is completely broken.
Horner	Yeah tough weekend, Max, plenty to take out of it. Probably one of the world’s most boring races, unfortunately.
Verstappen	Yeah that red flag completely destroyed any kind of strategy. It was really, really boring there just trying to save those tyres to the end, you know?
Horner	Yeah. I think the only car to make an overtake was Stroll.
Verstappen	Did you fall asleep, anyone?
Lambiase	It’s a shame that Mercedes and Russell gave up the ghost so quickly in the race, but…
Verstappen	Radio cuts out Yeah, I mean, there’s nothing. Look at the pace adv…

Alonso: “I thought that we were P10”

The race concluded with a tinge of disappointment for Fernando Alonso, who mistakenly believed he had salvaged a point-scoring tenth place. His engineer, Cronin, had to deliver the unfortunate news, confirming his finishing position as P11. This small but significant detail highlighted the difference between hero and zero in Formula 1, especially in a Grand Prix where opportunities were so scarce. Meanwhile, his teammate Lance Stroll offered a sincere apology for his earlier mistake that had ruined his own race. His engineer, Vizard, offered reassurance, stating, “It’s okay mate don’t worry. We were pushing, we were trying something so that’s fair enough. There was nothing else on the table so it was worth a go, wasn’t it? So don’t worry.” These post-race exchanges perfectly captured the mix of frustration, minor triumphs, and team solidarity prevalent in a challenging Monaco Grand Prix.

Cronin	Well done Fernando, P11. You can put the run switch to warm up, run switch warm up, and then multifunction B blue, multifunction B blue override position 12. Multifunction B blue override position 12. Good job with the tyres there, well done. If you can, take all the pickup.
Alonso	I thought that we were P10, mate.
Cronin	No afraid not.

His team mate, meanwhile, could only apologise for his mistake:

Vizard	Okay Lance so that’s the flag. That’s the flag. So just a couple of…
Stroll	Sorry about that.
Vizard	It’s okay mate don’t worry. We were pushing, we were trying something so that’s fair enough. There was nothing else on the table so it was worth a go, wasn’t it? So don’t worry.

Related Formula 1 Articles

• One of F1’s greatest races happened 15 years ago today. Or did it?
• “Overtaking is overtaking”: Domenicali denies F1’s yo-yo racing is “artificial”
• The crashes F1 is trying to prevent may be rare – but the danger is obvious
• F1 returning to India soon after 2027 sounds like wishful thinking
• Verstappen loathes F1’s new generation of cars – but what do his rivals reckon?

Browse all Formula 1 articles