The Monaco Grand Prix was red flagged on the opening lap due to a horrific crash involving Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez.
Sergio Perez escaped from his Red Bull after a collision between himself and the two Haas drivers, scattering debris across the Monte Carlo circuit.
Monaco Grand Prix red flag after Sergio Pérez collision
Fighting at the back of the grid heading up the hill from Saint-Devout, Perez was trying to hold off a hard-charging Kevin Magnussen, the Danish driver keeping his front wheel in line with the Red Bull’s rear wheel as the gap closed.
The two cars made contact, Perez spun into the barriers and then slid down them with Magnussen, causing a wheel to peel off his RB20, scattering debris across the track.
Nico Hulkenberg, who was close behind, jumped into a gap on the left to avoid being involved in the accident, but hit Pérez’s car and spun out, forcing all three cars to retire on the spot.
All three drivers were uninjured and managed to escape their cars on their own, with Perez, who was the hardest hit, being confirmed safe by Red Bull immediately after the incident.
An FIA spokesman also confirmed that a trackside cameraman was taken to the medical centre after the accident but did not suffer any open wounds, and has since been released.
The incident capped a bad weekend for Haas, with both cars disqualified from qualifying due to a rear wing technical infringement and starting from the back of the grid.
Hulkenberg, who had a perfect view of the incident, sighed as he confirmed over the radio that he was OK and said: “Oh, damn, that was unnecessary.”
Magnussen, who was given a 10-point penalty, feared he would be banned from racing if it was determined he was also responsible for causing the accident, and the race committee chose not to investigate the incident.
Carlos Sainz also appeared to retire on the first lap after his Ferrari was damaged following contact with Oscar Piastri’s McLaren at the first corner, but Sainz was able to return to the pits when the red flag was issued and was allowed to restart the race in third place.
Further back, two Alpines also made heavy contact at Portier. Esteban Ocon’s car was hurled into the air while trying to pass Pierre Gasly. Gasly was not happy about the incident and shouted over the team radio about Ocon’s actions. Judging by the extent of the contact, repairs will likely be made hastily under the red flag.
The race resumed at 15:44 local time with a standing start in the original grid order, excluding cars that were too damaged to continue. Charles Leclerc maintained his lead at the restart.
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