Monaco Grand Prix red-flagged after first lap pile-up

A multi-car pile up which ripped Sergio Perez's Red Bull car apart forced the Monaco Grand Prix to be red-flagged after just one lap on Sunday.

Total mayhem at the race start 💥😱#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/DhLEolwp8y

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 26, 2024

Perez spun after being hit hard from behind by Kevin Magnussen's Haas.

Nico Hulkenberg in the other Haas was a third innocent casualty.

All three drivers appeared unhurt.

A big impact moments after the start but all drivers are out of their cars - Perez, Magnussen and Hulkenberg#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/X83ZC7U2J3

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 26, 2024

For the Haas team this was further misfortune after both cars were disqualified from Saturday's qualifying.

The race on the narrow streets of the Principality was stopped to allow debris to be cleared off the circuit.

Charles Leclerc escaped all the drama as the Ferrari driver aims to make it third time lucky by winning his home race for the first time after his last two attempts from pole ended disappointingly.

The red flag could turn out helping Leclerc as his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz picked up a puncture in a separate incident and will now have effectively a free pit stop during the interruption.

The iconic grand prix will start for a second time at 1344GMT with Oscar Piastri's McLaren alongside Leclerc on the grid, Sainz and Lando Norris in the other McLaren on the second row, as Perez, Magnussen and Hulkenberg watch on frustrated from the pits.

More angles on the crash at the start 💥

A huge coming together but thankfully all drivers - Checo, K-Mag and Hulk - are okay 👍#F1 #MonacoGP pic.twitter.com/vDZo5iFcAu

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 26, 2024

Magnussen was downbeat reflecting on the dramatic incident.

"When he (Perez) went to the wall I just got pushed in, I trusted he was going to leave a space for me, it's unfortunate, lot of cost to the team, and a missed opportunity today."