Heavy rainfall was not the real reason for the long delay of the Monaco Grand Prix

The flagship race of the F1, the Monaco Grand Prix was filled with drama from Schumacher’s crash to Checo’s win and obviously the rain. The race’s original starting protocol was interrupted after considerable ran fell on the grid. The drivers were released to begin their formation lap behind the Safety Car nine minutes later than expected. The rain then became heavier. As a result, FIA F1 race director Eduardo Freitas canceled the original start and sent the drivers back into the pits.

The real reason for the delay

It has now been established that a power outage at the track disrupted start control systems, preventing the race from starting. According to the Race, the earlier heavy rain was the source of the power outage, which also damaged the starting lights. This meant that starting from scratch was impossible in both rainy and dry situations. The cars were eventually sent from the pits 65 minutes after the scheduled start, to finally start the race.

No standing start

The race began with a rolling start due to the damp weather. Following the latter halt, which occurred after Mick Schumacher’s incident, and by which time drivers had swapped to slick tyres, a rolling start was attempted once again. The decision not to employ a standing start was decided in part owing to worries about the starting system’s functionality after the previous downpour. The race crew also considered the possibility of substantial fluctuations in grip across the racing surface, which was dry in some places and moist in others.

Read more: Monaco at the risk of being discontinued from the F1 calendar ?

Lap reductions

Previously the rain, then the power failure on the circuit and then Mick Schumacher’s crash all these various disruptions meant that only 64 of the scheduled 78 laps were completed, in a race which is already 45 kilometers shorter than others on the calendar. The second red flag was necessary in order to repair the TecPro barrier Schumacher hit. Following Schumacher’s incident, a Virtual Safety Car was first employed to quickly neutralize the field. As a result, the Safety Car could be put on track after the leader entered the pit straight without having to waive any cars by.

The next race in the F1 calendar is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku city circuit on 12th June 2022.