POWER SERG

Perez claims first win of the season as rain brings Monaco chaos

SERGIO PEREZ survived the Monte Carlo mayhem to take a precious first victory of the season.

A rain shower just before the start forced a delay of more than an hour – but it also brought the normally processional Monaco Grand Prix to life.

And Mick Schumacher was lucky to walk away unscathed after he was caught out in the treacherous conditions, his Haas splitting in two after a shunt at the Swimming Pool chicane which brought out the second red flag of the day.

The drama could not have come at a better time for the millionaire’s tax haven given it has yet to renew its contract with Formula One for next season onwards.

But questions must be asked as to why race director Eduardo Freitas, overseeing only his second F1 race, waited so long to get things going before sending the cars out just as the rain started to fall again, meaning it had to be brought to a halt.

When the drivers finally put their foot down it all played perfectly into Perez’s hands, who rose from third on the grid to take the win.

The Mexican fought back tears of joy on the top of the podium (below), flanked by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz who finished second, with Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen in third place.

But it was misery for local boy Charles Leclerc. He finally managed to finish his home race but, after starting on pole, was left dumbstruck by a bungled Ferrari pit-stop strategy as the track dried which demoted him to fourth spot. Ferrari unsuccessfully protested the final result because they claimed both Verstappen and Perez crossed the pitlane exit line when rejoining the track following tyre changes.

And it was hardly a day to remember for Lewis Hamilton (left) who clashed with Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.

“For f **** sake,” yelled the seven-time world champion.

“He just put me in the wall. I don’t know if the car is damaged.”

Things did not improve for Hamilton after the restart following Schumacher’s spectacular smash, as he found himself stuck behind Fernando Alonso and could only come home where he had started in eighth spot.

It means Hamilton has not finished ahead of George Russell since the opening race of the season as his Mercedes team-mate came in fifth, one place ahead of Mclaren’s Lando Norris.

Hamilton said: “That was one of those days in Monaco – stuck behind other cars for most of the race and not able to overtake.”

A first win at Monaco and only the third of his career means Perez is only 15 points behind Championship pacesetter Verstappen, the Dutchman extending his lead over Leclerc to nine points.

“After your home race there is no other more special weekend to win,” said Perez.