Carlos Sainz retired from the Monaco Grand Prix after collisions with Nico Hulkenberg and Franco Colapinto at the restart. The Williams driver accused rivals of taking unnecessary chances that ended his race.
Sainz started the second standing start in 10th place. At the Loews hairpin his car was struck by Hulkenberg, sending it into the wall. Moments later Colapinto made contact at Portier, spinning the Williams and forcing retirement. “I was en route to score another couple of points this weekend with a solid race, but unfortunately people at the restart just decided to take stupid risks,” Sainz said. He added that Turn 6 is a corner where the field bunches up every year. Hulkenberg received a 10-second penalty for the incident. He explained he was avoiding another car and ended up on the inside line. Colapinto later apologised, saying he touched Sainz while trying to avoid the slowing Williams. Stewards took no further action against Colapinto, ruling the contact resulted from Sainz’s unexpected change of direction.