Two crashes at Turn 19 force Monaco inspection and red flag

Charles Leclerc’s retirement from the Monaco Grand Prix followed what he described as a major brake failure, prompting inspections by Ferrari and race officials and raising fresh concerns about the track surface at the final corner. Leclerc crashed at the Anthony Noughes corner, Turn 19, during a restart and was forced to retire from his home race. He told team radio and media that three of his four brakes had failed, saying the front left was working, the front right was only half-working, and both rear brakes showed no deceleration. Leclerc said the problem began during the first safety car period, rejected suggestions that loose asphalt caused the incident by saying “data speaks for itself,” and expressed visible frustration on the radio, striking his steering wheel. He called the sequence “an absolute nightmare” and said “I look like an idiot.” Leclerc also said Ferrari had identified a solution and that he planned to adopt “Lewis’s configuration” for the next race. The crash came shortly after Lance Stroll had hit the identical spot at the same final corner, bringing out the safety car. Stroll’s collision prompted Ferrari and race officials to inspect the circuit, and Leclerc’s subsequent accident triggered a second safety car and a red flag that halted the event. Race Director Rui Marques ordered a track inspection, and the FIA said the race was stopped to allow inspection of surface break-up at Turn 19. The track surface had broken up at the final corner, and officials paused the race to assess the extent of the damage and whether racing could resume safely. The twin incidents at Turn 19 interrupted the race sequence and have focused attention on both brake reliability and track integrity. Ferrari and race stewards said brake reliability would be a subject of investigation ahead of the next round, and the FIA-led inspections of the damaged Turn 19 remain central to determining the causes and any safety measures required before racing resumes at the circuit.