By Humberto Viera
May 26, 2024, 1:34 PM EDT
The 2024 Monaco Grand Prix began disastrously for Sergio “Checo” Pérez, after being involved in a spectacular accident on the first lap that forced him to abandon the race.
The Mexican driver, who had qualified in sixteenth position, hoped to make up positions on the demanding Monegasque track, but his ambitions were cut short in just a few seconds.
After passing the first corners of Sainte Dévote and Beau Rivage, Checo was in the middle of the straight towards the Massenet corner when Haas driver Kevin Magnussen attempted a risky overtake on his right side. The Danish driver, seeking to take advantage of the short distance that separated them, misjudged the maneuver and hit the right rear tire of Pérez’s car.
The impact caused Checo to lose control of the car, which led him to crash against the containment barriers with great violence. The impact was so strong that the Mexican’s Red Bull was completely destroyed, but fortunately, Pérez was able to get out of the vehicle on his own without suffering serious injuries.
Checo Pérez’s accident was not the only incident that marked the start of the Monaco Grand Prix. The other Haas, driven by Nico Hulkenberg, was also involved in the collision and was out of the race. These two early retirements, along with other minor incidents, led to a chaotic first lap that forced race management to raise the red flag and neutralize the competition.
The accident represents a serious blow to Checo Pérez’s aspirations in the Formula 1 world championship. The Mexican driver was at a crucial moment in the season, fighting to maintain his position on the championship podium. The abandonment in Monaco will make him lose valuable points and will further complicate his goal of reaching the title.
Keep reading:
–Checo Pérez will start from 18th in the Monaco GP of Formula 1: “It was an absolute disaster”
–Meet the winningest drivers in the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix
–Formula 2 driver Isack Hadjar avoided a tragedy in Monaco thanks to his sharp reflexes