In Pictures: Monaco 2021
What a weekend we've had at fabulous Monaco. It all started with McLaren unveiling a fantastic retro-styled Gulf livery on the MCL35M for the race. Also, many drivers showed specially painted helmets for this, the most special and prestigious race of the season.
On Friday, it became apparent something we have not seen in a long time, the Mercedes were struggling and it was all Ferrari and Red Bull at front with the fastest times. And on Saturday, Charles Leclerc won pole position by clocking a super-fast lap, but with few seconds to spare in the session and with most drivers trying their respective final attempts at pole, Leclerc crashed and that was it, red flag and session over. After qualifying the Ferrari mechanics started repairing the car and a few hours later inform that the gearbox was ok and Leclerc would be able to start, thus keeping Pole Position.
On race day, optimism was still fresh at Ferrari but when Leclerc came out of the pits to take his place on the grid he reported the car was not ok, came into the pits and it became apparent that something on the other side of the crash was at fault. It was later confirmed that there was a left driveshaft issue and couldn't be repaired on time. Leclerc became the first polesitter to fail to start due to a mechanical failure since Michael Schumacher – also in a Ferrari – at the 1996 French GP.
So, it was Max Verstappen who started effectively from pole after Leclerc’s cruel retirement. Verstappen did not make a great start, but it was enough to keep Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas behind. Bottas started pursuing Verstappen but on his pit stop, the mechanics couldn't switch his right-front tire. Mercedes explained soon afterwards that the wheel nut had “machined onto the axle" preventing it from being removed and forcing Bottas in retirement.
At the end, it was Max Verstappen claiming his second win of the season, and his first ever podium in Monaco.
““It’s so special around here to win. Also for me the first time on the podium here. An amazing race. It’s a lot of laps around here and you really have to keep your focus but yeah, it’s really cool.””
““The first podium in a Ferrari is an incredible feeling that I will never forget, especially being in Monaco! We knew we had a chance and the pace to make it to the podium this weekend and we executed a flawless race. The bittersweet feeling is still there though as I feel for Charles and for the team. All of us here at the track and back home in Maranello are working incredibly hard to be competitive and to make our way back to the top. So it was very unfortunate that today we could not fight with two cars...””
““I don’t know what to say. I didn’t think I would be here today. It’s down to these guys. It’s always a dream to be on the podium here. It’s extra special. I didn’t think it was going to happen. A bit of luck and I want to say some good driving and a good car all weekend. We’ve had a strong weekend. So, thanks to the boys and girls, this one is for them.””
