Monaco Grand Prix: Rain causes F1 CHAOS as Max Verstappen hits barrier and Carlos Sainz spins off amid CRASHES galore

Sergio Perez, George Russell, Lance Stroll crashing at the 2023 Monaco GP — Photo: © LAT Images

Monaco Grand Prix

Rain causes CHAOS in Monaco as Verstappen hits barrier and Sainz spins off amid CRASHES galore

Wet weather led the race to hot up as cars slid off track and tyre decisions had to be made

Lauren Sneath

Sunday 28 May 2023 16:43 Updated: 17:02

The rain at the Monaco Grand Prix led to unexpected and exciting action as wetter weather forced pit stops and led to mistakes from many drivers.

The rain appeared during what had been a fairly comfortable race for Max Verstappen as he led Fernando Alonso around the historic track.

After drivers first noticed spitting around lap 51, many chose to pit – but not all for intermediate tyres that would help with the wet conditions.

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Alonso, running second from the beginning of the race, at first chose medium tyres before having to pit once again for intermediates as the rain intensified.

Race leader Verstappen clipped the barriers at Portier but was able to maintain his lead, while Carlos Sainz spun off track before limping back into what has been a painful race for him.

The Ferraris had to stack a pit stop for each car, with Charles Leclerc heading in first and Sainz queuing behind him.

Game over for Stroll

Lance Stroll caused yellow flags when he halted at Portier, ending his race after losing his front wing.

Lewis Hamilton complained of safety issues over his team radio as the train got wetter and wetter, with the possibility of a red flag looming.

Kevin Magnussen also suffered an incident due to the weather, going into the barriers at Rascasse but holding onto his race, while Logan Sargeant also hit the wall but was able to save it at the last second to stay in the race.

Russell and Perez clash

George Russell had a nightmare moment when he went off the track at Sainte Devote and reentered the track, only to be clipped by Perez’s Red Bull as he passed. Russell could be penalised for an unsafe reentry of the track.