RACE REVIEWS
2026 Monaco Grand Prix Review: Chaos, Controversy and a New Monaco Master
The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix delivered exactly what the Principality is famous for: drama, unpredictability and absolute mayhem.
What initially appeared to be a straightforward victory for Mercedes sensation Kimi Antonelli soon developed into one of the most chaotic races Monaco has witnessed in years. Starting from pole position, the young Italian controlled proceedings from the outset, steadily building a commanding advantage over the chasing pack.
However, Monaco rarely allows anyone an easy afternoon.
The first major twist came when several front-runners encountered difficulties ranging from technical problems to costly penalties. Reigning World Champion Lando Norris and Max Verstappen were both forced into retirement, immediately transforming the complexion of the race and opening the door for others to capitalise.
As the race progressed, pit lane speeding offences became a recurring theme. George Russell’s afternoon unravelled spectacularly after a sequence of penalties ultimately dropped him out of the points altogether, a disastrous result for his championship aspirations. Pierre Gasly and Lewis Hamilton were also caught up in penalty-related investigations during the event.
The defining moment arrived late in the race…
Following a Safety Car period, local favourite Charles Leclerc crashed heavily at the final corner after suffering braking problems. The impact not only ended his race but also damaged the track surface itself. Officials were forced to stop the Grand Prix with a red flag while repairs and inspections were carried out, producing an unusual and lengthy interruption.
During the interruption, a wave of pit-lane speeding penalties reshuffled the order, heavily punishing George Russell with a drive-through penalty for failing to serve an earlier infraction properly, dropping him entirely out of the points. After a 37-minute delay to fix the circuit, the race resumed with a high-stakes, 10-lap standing sprint to the finish line. Despite intense, immediate pressure from Lewis Hamilton into Sainte Dévote, Mercedes sensation Kimi Antonelli perfectly held his nerve to secure a historic fifth consecutive victory, while Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar inherited the final podium spot in third after Pierre Gasly was demoted by pit-lane speed penalties.
DRIVER STANDINGS AFTER NINE ROUNDS (MONACO)
| Position | Driver | Team | Points | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 156 | 5 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 90 | 0 |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | 88 | 1 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 75 | 0 |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 60 | 0 |
| 6 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 58 | 0 |
| 7 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 43 | 0 |
| 8 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull Racing | 29 | 0 |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 26 | 0 |
| 10 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 26 | 0 |