MONTE CARLO, May 25 — The safety car had to come out during the opening lap of today’s Monaco Grand Prix after Mexican driver Sergio Perez spun and crashed in the Force India.

Perez was unhurt and his stricken car removed from the track at the Mirabeau section of the iconic street circuit.

The race restarted on lap four with pole-sitter Nico Rosberg leading his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.

World champion Sebastian Vettel’s poor season continued as the German, placed third, dropped down through the field complaining of a loss of power, eventually having to retire his Red Bull.

The safety car was dusted off again on lap 25 after Adrian Sutil’s Sauber ran into trouble, with debris strewn across the circuit at the exit to the tunnel.

The German lost control just before the chicane at the port, but walked away unhurt.

The race restarted on lap 31 with Rosberg leading from Hamilton. — AFP