Track issues force red flag in Monaco Grand Prix

By Philip Duncan, Press Association F1 Correspondent, Monte Carlo

Kimi Antonelli’s bid to become the youngest winner of the Monaco Grand Prix was left in the balance after the prestigious race was stopped with 10 laps left due to problems with the track.

Antonelli looked on course to cruise to victory after he moved more than half-a-minute clear of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton before two safety cars were deployed when Lance Stroll and Charles Leclerc both crashed out at the concluding Rascasse corner.

However, the second safety on the 66th lap was upgraded to a red flag at 4:35pm local time (3:35pm IST) amid concerns with the recently relaid asphalt at the final bend of the temporary street course.

FIA race director Rui Marques was on the scene as a heavy roller attempted to resolve the problem.

Speaking to Sky Sports, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said: “From what we can see it looks like there’s lots of marbles there.

“I don’t know if it’s coming up or they just need to clean it. We’ll see how they want to do the restart here.”

Prior to the suspension of the race, Antonelli, 19, led from Hamilton with Isack Hadjar third and George Russell fourth.

The race is due to resume at 5:12pm local time after temporary repairs were completed.