- Sergio Perez was involved in a crash on the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix
- The Mexican’s car was written off after colliding with Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg
- Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko revealed the staggering cost of Perez’s crash
Sergio Perez‘s shocking crash on the first lap at the Monaco Grand Prix cost Red Bull between $2-3million (£1.6-2.4million).
The Mexican, starting in 16th, was tagged by Haas’ Kevin Magnussen heading uphill after the first corner. The Dane’s front left caught Perez’s rear right, sending the latter into the barriers in a huge 160mph crash.
Perez rebounded off the wall and into the other Haas of Nico Hulkenberg, as his Red Bull became a pinball before it finally came to rest on the circuit.
His car was written off with just one wheel left attached, though the strength of today’s cars was shown off, as he thankfully walked away without injury.
And, speaking after what was a difficult day for Red Bull – with Max Verstappen only coming sixth – Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko hit out at Magnussen and opened up on the cost of the crash.
Sergio Perez’s crash at the Monaco Grand Prix cost Red Bull between $2-3million (£1.6-2.4m)
Perez’s car was written off after the huge smash on the first lap, but thankfully he was unhurt
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko explained the huge cost and hit out at Kevin Magnussen
‘Am I surprised Magnussen wasn’t penalised?,’ he told Sky Germany. ‘I’m actually surprised by how quickly the stewards managed to put the incident behind them.
‘But first of all, it was very dangerous. And second of all, the damage to the RB20 is two or three million. This is a big handicap for us with the budget cap.’
Perez’s crash was extremely harrowing and a new angle has showed just how dangerous it could’ve been.
One video shared by the F1 official account showed debris flying through the air as photographers were forced to take cover trackside.
Another clip showed more photographers ducking as bits of the car and smoke blew through the air as Perez’s car smashed into the barriers where they were stationed.
One fan shared that video and pointed out the dangers of the crash as they said: ‘This could have ended very badly.
‘Not only for the drivers but also for the marshals and photographers. At the same time, it’s a confirmation that racing/overtaking in Monaco is extremely dangerous.
‘Fortunately, everyone is ok. Homework for the FOM/FIA: big changes needed for the Monaco GP.’
Speaking after the incident, Perez, who was thankfully unhurt, hit out at Magnussen and accused him of ‘dangerous driving‘.
He said: ‘This was more dangerous driving, just to keep it flat out knowing that there was going to come contact at some point.
‘I think that was some dangerous driving. We need to ask for a reason why it’s not been investigated because without an investigation we don’t get a reason why it wasn’t a penalty. I’m really surprised.’
A new extraordinary angle showed trackside photographers taking cover as Perez crashed
Another clip showed more photographers ducking as debris and smoke blew through the air
The harrowing clip showed just how serious Perez’s crash could have ended up being
The Mexican was fuming after exiting the race so early and slammed Magnussen’s conduct
Magnussen, who is currently on 10 penalty points, two short of a race ban, felt Perez should have left him space.
Perez though responded: ‘You sometimes find yourself in a position and you have to take a very quick decision to say: “There’s only one way of it and it’s going to be contact, so I’d better back out.” But he will go for the contact.’
Magnussen’s team-mate Hulkenberg, who also retired following the collision, said that the crash was ‘unnecessary’.