Motorsport

FORMULA ONE has a sizable problem and it’s called the Monaco Grand Prix.While MotoGP basked in yet another epic race and the Indy 500 sprint to the line was heart-in-the-mouth stuff, Sunday’s F1 procession in Monte Carlo was dreadful.The Monte Carlo Grand Prix was a processionCredit: GettyI always say that you know it has been a decent race when you hear people in public talking about the weekend’s action.As I queued for my flight home at Nice Airport, the discussion among fellow passengers is usually all about where people watched the race, but yesterday all I heard were moans and groans.Take nothing away from Charles Leclerc and his maiden win in his home race, but F1 has a problem when the leading driver is told to “slow down” to save his tyres.It was also the first time in F1 history that the top 10 cars all finished in the same order they started.READ MORE ON MOTORSPORTIn total there were two overtakes. TWO.Yes, you can argue this was a result of the first-lap accident involving Sergio Perez that saw the race stopped and all the leading drivers change on to the hard tyre, however, when the world’s eyes are on it, the sport simply cannot afford to have a situation where it is made to look so silly.So what can be done? There are a number of options.The preferred choice would be to have smaller cars.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe current models are too wide and heavy that overtaking is not possible on such a narrow circuit.But given Monaco is unique, perhaps another element would be a bespoke set of tyre compounds which force teams to make more frequent pitstops.Monaco Grand Prix narrowly avoids catastrophe after devastating F2 near miss leaves Oliver Bearman stunnedIt would certainly liven up the strategy side of things, but that all feels someone manufactured and a case of simply papering over the cracks.Another option is to change the circuit.This was suggested by Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who pointed out that the Principality is reclaiming land from the sea and should consider ways of expanding the track.He said: “It’s something that we should collectively have a look at. It’s not racing as such when you’re just driving around three or four seconds off the pace because the other car hasn’t got any chance of overtaking.”Monaco is such a great place to come racing. But the cars are so big now that we just need to look at ‘can we do something that introduces an overtaking area’ or at least the potential of an overtake.”Monaco keeps reclaiming land! It’s such a great place, so much history here, but everything evolves.”The cars are so big now, if you compare them to cars of ten years ago they’re almost twice the size.”And finally, the other option of smaller cars, alternative tyres and an improved track aren’t viable – then let’s bin it altogether.There are no shortages of venues queuing up to host F1 races and, judging by the comments of my fellow passengers, there is a feeling that Monaco is no longer fit for purpose.Pizza was the secret for the victorious Charles LeclercCredit: RexCHARLES LECLERC said he treated himself to a pizza on the eve of breaking his Monaco duck, so perhaps he should stick to it more often.After his victory, he said: “I ate like crazy on Saturday night. I actually got in late at home and it was too late to couldn’t cook, so I ordered my favourite pizza.”It’s not the best preparation to race normally, but I was like, ‘OK, maybe mentally it will help me to take the pressure off a little bit’. And yeah, that’s it. I slept really well.”When asked what pizza he went for, he added: “Pizza Margherita with prosciutto crudo. Never pineapple.”Bagnaia made up for an earlier error to win in BarcelonaCredit: RexRED BULL will total up the cost of Sergio Perez’s huge crash in Monaco, which miraculously saw him escape with just a grazed arm.The first lap shunt sent F1 photographers scrambling for cover, as the wreckage was flung in their direction.Fortunately nobody was seriously hurt, although one casualty is the gearbox on Perez’s car, which was competing in its final GP before being replaced and had been christened ‘Donna’ by the team’s mechanics.Perez’s car, and gearbox, is no moreCredit: RexFRANCESCO BAGNAIA won a thrilling Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya at Barcelona. The MotoGP world champion made an error during the Saturday sprint race but made amends on Sunday. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez continued to enjoy his revival by taking third place, despite starting P14 on the grid. The Gresini Racing rider now has three podiums in a row.READ MORE SUN STORIESNewgarden won a thrilling Indy 500Credit: GettyJOSEF NEWGARDEN won the Indy 500 with a last lap overtake on McLaren’s Pato O’Ward.Newgarden is the first back-to-back winner of the Indy 500 since Helio Castroneves 22 years ago and gave Roger Penske a 20th win in the famous race.SUNSPORT’S TRANSFER NEWS LIVESTAY in the know this summer with The Sun’s transfer experts.
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A PHOTOGRAPHER was rushed to hospital after being hit by flying debris following the horror crash at the Monaco Grand Prix.During Sunday’s Formula One race in Monte Carlo, three cars were involved in a shocking first-lap pile up.Sergio Perez was involved in a multi-car pile up on lap one of the Monaco Grand PrixCredit: GettyPerez’s car was left as a wreck following the crashCredit: RexThe safety barriers showed the violence of the crashCredit: GettyDebris had been flung over the top of the barriers as a resultCredit: AlamyA f1 photographer was seen laying on the floor with debris littered around themCredit: FacebookLook how everyone near the fence gets hit by debris from the crash between Checo and Magnussen. That was super dangerous and I’m just glad no one got hurt. IG: alexandraborchio#MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/WcrurBmdvI— Marie🌸LET’S GO CHECO! (@ma_fe79) May 26, 2024

Red Bull driver Sergio Perez was tagged by Haas driver Kevin Magnussen on the inside of the track when heading up the Beau Rivage on the way to turn two.The shocking 160mph crash saw Perez’s rear right wheel clipped by Magnussen before he violently spun to the right and into the wall before the momentum took him further up the track.Fellow Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg was then caught up in the madness as Perez’s car caught him and sent him spinning around.The track was left covered in debris in the aftermath, while Perez’s car was left without any of it’s wheels and only the monocoque left intact.READ MORE IN F1It’s magnitude was so potent that debris spilled over the top of the safety barriers, leading to a lengthy delay as the barriers were repaired.The drivers miraculously escaped with no injuries, but one F1 photographer was caught by debris.Why do F1 cars come apart so dramatically in a crash?F1 safety has come a long way in it’s 74 year history.
Indeed, a massive tell of this is the safety features of the cars in the modern era.
One feature of this is the way the cars break apart in a high-speed crash much like crumple zones seen in road cars.
F1 cars now break apart during severe collisions as a means of dissipating the kinetic energy away from the driver taken during the incident.
The cars themselves are built around a monocoque – also known as a “survival cell” – with 2018 seeing the introduction of the halo prominently on top around the drivers head to boost this further.
This safety cell is made from 6millimetre of exceedingly strong carbon fibre composite with a layer of kevlar, which is penetration resistant and can absorb a huge amount of energy in a crash.
Meanwhile, the halo was a large reason as to why Romain Grosjean survived his horror crash at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2020.

A picture after the crash showed one person in a hunch on the floor by the track with debris littered around them. One Italian photographer was taken to hospital over fears of a possible injury.Most read in MotorsportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFortunately, they were later released with the FIA confirming the photographer had not suffered any “open wounds”.The photographer then returned to the circuit and was able to resume his duties.Inside Conor Murray’s VIP experience at glamorous Monaco F1 Grand Prix alongside fellow Ireland legendStewards deemed there to be no investigation necessary for the crash, judging it to be a racing incident which ensured no driver received a punishment for their involvement.Charles Leclerc eventually took first place in his home race, ahead of Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz.However, the race was slammed for being a procession, with even Max Verstappen, who came sixth, joking that he has “wished he’d brought his pillow”.Footage showed how debris flung over the barrier and came down on trackside photographersCredit: Instagram / @alexandraborchioOne photographer was taken to hospital following the incident over fear of injuryCredit: Instagram / @alexandraborchioThe FIA later confirmed they were okayCredit: Instagram / @alexandraborchio🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More

CHARLES LECLERC ended his Monaco jinx with a victory in his home race.But in truth this was a massively dull race with ZERO overtaking in the top 10, and the cars placed from first to 10th finished in exactly the same order they started.Charles Leclerc won the Monaco Grand Prix on SundayCredit: ReutersA dull race saw zero overtaking in the top 10Credit: GettyPerhaps the biggest shock was seeing Ferrari not stuff it up for once, as Monte-Carlo born Leclerc took the chequered flag.The procession through the streets would not dampen his mood or that of his Italian team.But it again raises the question whether this race should remain on the F1 calendar at all.The cars are too big, the circuit is too narrow.READ MORE IN F1And at the halfway point while leading Leclerc was told to “slow down a bit” by his team as it became a game of driving so slowly to save tyre life.It is simply incredible that a premier racing class should feature such instructions but here we are.At one point, Max Verstappen, who started and finished in sixth, radioed his team and said: “F*** me! This is really boring, I should have bought my pillow.”The on track “action” boiled down to a first lap crash that saw the race stopped when Kevin Magnussen and Sergio Perez made contact at 150mph.Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAs the two cars tangled at speed the wreckage also collected Nico Hulkenberg to cause a three-car pile up.The incident was not initially caught by the TV director as pictures showed Carlos Sainz locking up from third place, temporarily promoting Lando Norris to third.Monaco Grand Prix narrowly avoids catastrophe after devastating F2 near miss leaves Oliver Bearman stunnedThe most dramatic incident came in a first-lap crashCredit: Sky SportsSergio Perez’s car was a complete wreckCredit: GettyThe narrow course made it difficult for overtakingCredit: GettyHowever, the stewards threw the stop flag as soon as they became aware of the wreckage caused by Perez’s smash.Incredibly, and somewhat perplexingly, there was no further action from the stewards, who deemed the first lap smash a racing incident.There was also contact between the two Alpine drivers at turn eight as they banged wheels sending Esteban Ocon into the air.”What did he do? Why did he try to attack me! Oh my gosh,” said Gasly over the radio. “The whole car is damaged now!”PSG star Kylian Mbappe waved the chequered flagCredit: GettyLeclerc was delighted as he sealed victoryCredit: GettyFerrari are hoping to challenge for the title this termCredit: GettyOcon retired from the race and was subsequently hit with a five-place penalty for the next race in Canada.He later apologised on social media, saying: “Today’s incident was my fault, the gap was too small in the end and I apologise to the team on this.”Sainz was given third on the grid for the restart, as Norris bumped back down to fourth.In the following one hour and 44 minutes nothing happened for the drivers driving at reduced capacity of their brilliant machines.READ MORE SUN STORIESLeclerc took the win as Oscar Piastri finished second while Sainz was third.Norris was in fourth ahead of George Russell and Verstappen while Lewis Hamilton was seventh.🏁 Complete F1 2024 race calendar – details on every Grand Prix and start time this year 🏁  More