Latest news with #FormulaTwo
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Monaco GP crash horror as 12-car pile up on first bend brings race to standstill
A dramatic 12-car crash brought the Formula Two race in Monaco to an end amid mounting controversy. A major crash involving 12 cars brought the Formula Two feature race in Monaco to a sudden and dramatic stop, sparking safety concerns and leaving the prestigious street circuit in chaos. The incident unfolded just moments after the race began on Saturday, as two front-runners collided at the first corner. Pole-sitter Alex Dunne and French driver Victor Martins came together while battling for position, resulting in both cars spinning out and slamming into the barriers. What followed was a chain reaction of collisions as drivers behind attempted to avoid the wreckage. Several cars were damaged, some mounting others in the pile-up. In total, a dozen vehicles were caught in the crash, prompting race officials to wave red flags and suspend the event, reports the Mirror. Despite the severity of the incident, all drivers escaped injury and were able to walk away from their vehicles. Medical teams were on hand, but no hospitalisations were reported. Television cameras later captured a furious Martins blaming Dunne for the crash, sarcastically questioning: 'Who does he think he is, Max Verstappen?' — referencing the famously aggressive driving style of the current Formula One world champion. The race was later abandoned altogether following a second red flag, this time due to damage to a safety barrier. At the time of the stoppage, American driver Jak Crawford was leading and was subsequently declared the winner under race regulations. Crawford had earlier expressed confidence in his team's performance over the weekend, saying: 'We've been competitive and managed the conditions well. Monaco is always unpredictable, but we did everything we could with the opportunities we had.' Of the 22 drivers who started the race, seven—including Dunne and Martins—were eliminated in the initial crash. Other drivers taken out included Richard Verschoor, Gabriele Minì, Ritomo Miyata, Pepe Martí, and Max Esterson. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Crawford was awarded the full 25 points for his win, with Italy's Leonardo Fornaroli finishing second and Sebastian Montoya, son of ex-Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya, rounding out the top three. The incident has reignited debate about safety on narrow street circuits like Monaco's, where limited run-off areas and tight corners leave little margin for error. Race organisers have yet to comment on whether changes will be considered ahead of future events.
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
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: ) 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. Article continues below 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. Article continues below 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.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Horrifying 12-car pile-up brings Monaco GP to a standstill after crash
Alex Dunne and Victor Martins crashed on the opening lap of the Formula Two feature race in Monaco, sparking a terrifying 12-car pile-up with vehicles on top of each other A shocking 12-car pile-up brought the Formula Two feature race to an abrupt halt on the streets of Monaco. The chaos unfolded when Alex Dunne and Victor Martins clashed at Turn 1, both vying for an early advantage. Dunne was off from pole but it was Martin who surged ahead down the first straight. Trouble struck at the first bend when Dunne's front end collided with the side of Martin's car, propelling both into a spin that ended in the barriers. The ensuing mayhem saw drivers collide in a desperate bid to dodge the unfolding disaster, with some vehicles ending up mounted on each other, posing a severe risk to driver safety. In total, twelve cars were embroiled in the wreckage, prompting the race to be suspended as red flags were waved. Incredibly, despite the carnage, all drivers emerged unscathed and reconvened with their respective teams. Martins was incensed by the crash and pointed the finger squarely at Dunne. Broadcasters captured the 23-year-old seething to his pit crew: "Who does he think he is, Max Verstappen?"
NZ Herald
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
Formula 1: Liam Lawson achieves best qualifying result of 2025, to start ninth for Monaco Grand Prix
World championship leader Oscar Piastri will start third, and was 0.175s back from his teammate, while Leclerc's Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton completes the second row in fourth. Current world champion Max Verstappen starts fifth, while Lawson's Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar is sixth, 0.969s back from Norris. Make no mistakes, the Monaco Grand Prix is a race where qualifying holds more significance than any other circuit on the Formula One grid. More often than not, a driver's best lap in qualifying is more significant than any of the 78 to be raced in the Grand Prix. That's why the FIA - the sport's governing body - have gone to the lengths of dictating drivers must undertake at least two pit stops and make use of three sets of tyre compounds during the race. Just what effect that has, though, will be seen in the Grand Prix. Lawson can take confidence from his displays at Monaco in Formula Two, where he claimed an initial victory in the sprint race, before it was stripped for an illegal throttle map. On that occasion, though, Lawson finished ahead of Piastri, before he lost his result. Taking to the track off the back of two top 10 finishes from three practices, Lawson temporarily set the fastest time in Q1, clocking a first mark of 1m 12.946s. And while that mark understandably didn't stand as the fastest time for long, Lawson was able to progress with the 12th fastest time in Q1, 1m 11.818s, after Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli hit the barrier at turn 11 to trigger a red flag. Being on the right end of a red flag will be a welcome relief for Lawson, who was eliminated in Q1 at Imola last week for the same reason. The Kiwi continued to improve into Q2, and posted a first time of 1m 11.646s to temporarily move second behind Leclerc, before Mercedes suffered another blow when George Russell lost power, and caused another red flag as he too was forced to retire. Once the session resumed, Lawson improved even further with a best lap of 1m 11.250s, however that placed him ninth, and at risk of elimination. But Mercedes' retirements and three other drivers failing to better his time had Lawson advance to Q3 without any real issue. One of those drivers was Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda, who missed out on Q3 by 0.153s, after replacing Lawson in the senior team after just two races earlier this year. At no risk of elimination, Lawson was able to set a 1m 11.129s in Q3, but ultimately finished 1.175s off Norris, and 0.206s back from Hadjar. And while Racing Bulls can take pride from having both cars finish in the top 10, Lawson will still have one eye on bettering Hadjar once the lights go out. Earlier, Lawson continued his impressive displays from Friday practice by clocking the seventh-fastest time in the final session before qualifying. Fresh from being the quickest of the four Red Bull-affiliated cars in FP2, Lawson was second only to Verstappen in FP3, and managed a best lap of 1m 11.814s, 0.861s off the pace set by Leclerc. That time saw Lawson improve on his FP2 mark by nine milliseconds, and showed the Kiwi was continuously improving throughout the race weekend. Lawson logged another 33 laps in the third and final practice, the most by any of the 20 drivers on the grid. In comparison, Hadjar finished FP3 in 17th, 0.457s back from his teammate. However, Hadjar was also prevented from setting a final push lap after Hamilton hit the wall to trigger a red flag, and prematurely end the session. The Monaco Grand Prix begins at 1am on Monday (NZ time). Monaco Grand Prix starting grid Lando Norris - McLaren Charles Leclerc - Ferrari Oscar Piastri - McLaren Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari Max Verstappen - Red Bull Isack Hadjar - Racing Bulls Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin Esteban Ocon - Haas Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls Alex Albon - Williams Carlos Sainz - Williams Yuki Tsunoda - Red Bull Nico Hulkenberg - Sauber George Russell - Mercedes Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes Gabriel Bortoleto - Sauber Oliver Bearman - Haas * penalty Pierre Gasly - Alpine Lance Stroll - Aston Martin * penalty Franco Colapinto - Alpine Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Ireland's Dunne takes first F2 pole in Monaco
Ireland's Alex Dunne secured his first Formula Two pole position in dramatic fashion in Friday's qualifying session for the Monaco Grand Prix. Competing in the second of two qualifying groups, the 19-year-old McLaren Development Driver pipped Victor Martins by 0.003secs after the ART Grand Prix driver set the benchmark in the opening session. Championship leader Dunne's final-lap mark of 1:21.142 means he will start on pole for Sunday's feature race. "What a place to do it," said Dunne."Super, super happy. The team made some really good changes with the car and I felt really comfortable, so massive thank you to them, big thank you to McLaren and all the supporters we have here this weekend. "Excited for the feature race on Sunday."The County Offaly native has been in impressive form lately having taken his second win of the season at Imola last week after becoming the first Irish driver to win a Formula 2 race in Bahrain in April. Dunne leads Great Britain's Luke Browning by six points in the standings after four rounds.
