Carlos Sainz Crashes in Monaco Grand Prix Practice as Verstappen Sets the Pace

Carlos Sainz Crashes in Monaco Grand Prix Final Practice, Verstappen Sets the Pace

In a dramatic turn of events during the final practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz endured a crash after being in contention for the fastest time throughout the day. The Spanish driver had just been pushed to third place by his teammate Charles Leclerc when he clipped the inside barrier at the exit of the Swimming Pool section.

Monaco Grand Prix: Verstappen Leads the Pack, Hamilton Struggles

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen showcased his speed, taking the top spot by a margin of 0.065 seconds ahead of Leclerc. Sainz held the third position, while Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso impressed by securing fourth place. Lewis Hamilton, driving an upgraded Mercedes, could only manage sixth place, indicating a potential challenge for the reigning world champion.

Ferrari’s Revamped Car and Hamilton’s Frustrations

Ferrari introduced upgrades to their car, including new front suspension, sidepods, and floor, after acknowledging their design missteps over the past two years. Hamilton, struggling to match the pace of the frontrunners, expressed his disappointment over the team radio, stating that the car was unlikely to go much faster.

McLaren’s Lando Norris Shines, Perez Falls Behind

Lando Norris showcased an impressive performance for McLaren, claiming the fifth fastest time despite the team’s struggles earlier in the season. Verstappen’s teammate and closest title rival, Sergio Perez, finished in seventh place, further down the order than anticipated.

Monaco Grand Prix: Red Bull, Ferrari, and Alonso Look Strong

Based on the evidence from Friday’s practice sessions, the competition at Monaco is shaping up to be between Red Bull, Ferrari, and Fernando Alonso. The world champions, Mercedes, may face a tougher challenge than usual at this circuit.

Sainz’s Unfortunate Crash and Top 10 Standings

Carlos Sainz displayed excellent form for much of the day, outshining his Ferrari teammate Leclerc. However, in a misjudged maneuver, Sainz hit the inside barrier in the Swimming Pool section, breaking his suspension and resulting in a collision with the outer barrier, reminiscent of Leclerc’s crash in last year’s qualifying session.

Other notable performances included Valtteri Bottas in eighth place with an upgraded Alfa Romeo, and Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon securing the final two spots in the top 10 for the Alpines.

Conclusion

The final practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix saw Carlos Sainz’s unfortunate crash while battling for the fastest time. Verstappen led the pack, followed closely by Leclerc, while Hamilton faced difficulties with his upgraded Mercedes. McLaren’s Norris impressed, and Ferrari’s revamped car showed promise. The weekend appears to be a competition among Red Bull, Ferrari, and Alonso, with Mercedes potentially facing a challenging race.

(Also Read: Monaco Prepares for the High-Octane Excitement of the Formula 1 Grand Prix)