The accident occurred on the first lap of the Monaco GP between Perez and the Haas of Hulkenberg and Magnussen which caused a red flag and allowed several drivers to avoid the mandatory stop for the compound change. Those who paid the consequences were drivers who started on hard tyres, forced to complete the entire rest of the race on medium tyres. The red flag at the Monaco GP therefore destroyed any type of strategy, which did not go down well with all the riders.
Red flag, drivers ask for a change in regulation after Monaco
Despite the emotional victory of Charles Leclerc last Sunday's certainly cannot be defined as one of the most exciting Grands Prix that Monaco has had in its history. In Monaco, with the current single-seaters it is almost impossible to overtake. Suffice it to say that if we add up the overtakings in the GPs of the last 3-4 years we don't even reach half of those seen last year in Las Vegas, in a single race. If we add to this the fact that the only element of unpredictability, i.e. the pit stop, is missing, it is not difficult to understand the fate that the 2024 Monaco GP was destined for.
“After the red flag, our strategy was ruined because we had to ride the average until the end, because everyone had a free stop and that meant we had to save a lot,” said Verstappen, who started and finished sixth. The Dutchman couldn't help but tag along, hoping that the GP would end soon. He himself said he was quite bored during the race. Precisely because it was all too simple. A sort of parade. “I just tried to follow George and we were so off the pace trying to manage the tyres. It's pretty boring out there, literally driving at half throttle on the straights in some places.”
Lando Norris was also of the same opinion. The Englishman placed fourth. “There's really nothing you can do, especially with the red flag at the beginning. I think this ruined any other opportunities that could have come my way with strategy and tire saving, so it's a bit of a shame.”
Even those who benefited from the red flag, like Alexander Albon, recognize that the issue is still an issue to be resolved. “Yes, we need to understand what is happening. I think if there is a red flag on the first lap, there should still be a mandatory pit stop or something like that. It worked in our favor to be honest with you, so I won't complain too much..."
