VERSTAPPEN GRABS THE ADVANTAGE IN MONACO
The 2021 Monaco Grand Prix was a unique edition in the event’s storied history. But this was more down to the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which meant it was subdued compared to its regular pomp, than anything wildly unusual happening in the race’s 78 laps.
But there was still something of a celebratory atmosphere the night ahead of the grand prix. Hometown hero Charles Leclerc had claimed pole in bizarre circumstances given his late Q3 crash, which prevented others improving. That led to Monegasque flag-bearing yachts and cars blaring their appreciation as dusk rolled in. As he cycled home from the track, Leclerc remained anxious about the extent to which he’d smashed his SF21 against the barriers at the Swimming Pool complex’s exit, but the prospect of a famous home win was still tantalisingly talked up.
The next evening, the horns honoured another driver – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. He’d dominated another dull Monaco procession, which was cruelly robbed of the storyline that might have kept it captivating even if there had still been no lead exchanges. But no sole development led to the lifeless affair – several factors combined to create the eventual reality.
REASON ONE LECLERC’S CRUEL NON-START
After Leclerc’s crash, he was mainly worried that the impact had damaged his gearbox (already changed after FP1), which would have meant a five-place grid drop if it needed replacing again.
