Horror 12-car pile up at Monaco GP sees medics rush to scene as commentators left in stunned silence
Horror 12-car pile up at Monaco GP sees medics rush to scene as commentators left in stunned silence
The Formula Two feature race at the Monaco Grand Prix was red flagged after a horror 12-car pile-up in the opening moments with cars on top of each other on the track
A nasty pile-up at the Monaco GP
(Image: X.com )
A dramatic 12-car pile-up brought the Formula Two feature race in Monaco to a sudden and frightening halt on Sunday, shocking fans and leaving the iconic street circuit strewn with wreckage.
The chaos erupted during the opening seconds of the race as Alex Dunne and Victor Martins fiercely contested Turn 1, each vying for early dominance in one of motorsport's most prestigious support races.
Dunne, who had started the race from pole position, was quickly challenged by Martins down the first straight. The ART Grand Prix driver edged ahead as they approached the tight Sainte Devote corner.
However, disaster struck in the bend. As Dunne attempted to reclaim his position, his car clipped Martins', causing both cars to lose control. Martins' car slammed into the barrier, triggering a chain reaction behind them.
The resulting crash was catastrophic. Cars behind the lead duo had no time to react, creating a multi-car pile-up that saw vehicles smashing into one another with alarming force.
Some cars were launched into the air, landing partially on top of others in a nightmarish scene rarely witnessed in Formula Two. Marshals and medical crews rushed to the scene as carbon fibre littered the track.
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In total, 12 cars were caught in the carnage. The sheer number of vehicles involved forced race control to immediately red-flag the event, halting proceedings while the track was cleared and safety assessments were made, reports the Express.
Miraculously, despite the scale and violence of the crash, no serious injuries were reported. All drivers involved walked away from their cars and returned to the paddock under their own power.
Race officials praised the strength of the modern Formula Two cars and the efficiency of the safety response, which likely prevented more serious consequences from what could have been a tragic incident.
Victor Martins was visibly furious following the incident and directed his anger at Dunne during radio communication with his team, placing blame for the crash squarely on the pole-sitter.
'Who does he think he is, Max Verstappen?' Martins fumed, referencing the current Formula One world champion known for his aggressive driving style. The jibe reflected Martins' belief that Dunne's move was overly ambitious and reckless.
The stewards immediately launched an investigation into the incident, reviewing footage and data to determine whether any penalties should be applied once the race resumed.
Dunne, for his part, remained silent in the immediate aftermath, opting not to comment publicly while discussions with his team took place in the pit lane.
Race marshals cleared an enormous amount of debris from the track and it became clear that many cars had suffered significant damage.
Incredibly, only 16 of the 22 cars were able to continue in the race. Dunne and Martins watched on from the side of the Monte-Carlo circuit as their collision ruled them out of the remainder of the event.
Cars and debris that had been left scattered across the track were eventually cleared. It was ruled that the restart would begin behind the safety car. The 16 vehicles remaining in the event lined up around half an hour following the initial crash.
Two further cars crashed out, leaving the Tecpro barrier in tatters. It was decided that the race would be halted with around six minutes remaining.
DAMS driver Jack Crawford was crowned the winner of an incredible event that had further contention afterwards. Arvid Lindblad was handed a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane, stripping the 17-year-old of a podium place and elevating Sebastian Montoya into the top three instead.
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Dunne's exit from the event could prove critical to his chances of winning the F2 Drivers' Championship. Leonardo Fornaroli was able to leap to the top of the overall leaderboard after finishing second.
The crash reignited ongoing debates about the risks of aggressive manoeuvres at the notoriously tight Monaco circuit, where the margin for error is minimal and overtaking opportunities are scarce.
As the dust settled and cars were cleared from the track, fans and commentators were left in stunned silence.
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