The Monaco Grand Prix was halted on lap 68 of 78 following concerns over deteriorating track conditions at the circuit's final corner.
An official FIA statement confirmed the suspension was "for inspection of track break-up at Turn 19."
All drivers still competing immediately returned to the pit lane as race control assessed the situation.
Sky Sports co-commentator Martin Brundle described the scenes as "highly unusual," noting the difficulty of managing such a problem mid-race.
The FIA confirmed that the track needed to be inspected after it was torn up on Turn 19
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"If it is that surface, this is a tricky one. You can't exactly put a cone down!" Brundle observed. "This is touch and go looking at a critical turn in point."
Charles Leclerc's hopes of a home podium finish evaporated with just 12 laps remaining when he drove his Ferrari into the barriers at the final corner.
The Monegasque driver had been well-placed in the race before the incident on lap 66, which initially brought out the safety car before the subsequent red flag.
Leclerc made his frustration clear over team radio, refusing to accept responsibility for the crash.
"Honestly I'm not even going to take the **** blame. These **** brakes!" the Ferrari driver exclaimed to his team.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, speaking from the pit wall, reported significant amounts of debris at the final corner.
Charles Leclerc crashed at the exact same point as Lance Stroll just laps before
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Lance Stroll had suffered a similar fate at the same spot just laps earlier, sending his Aston Martin into the barriers in near-identical fashion.
Footage reviewed after both incidents revealed the cause of the crashes. Both drivers had struck what appeared to be a newly formed pothole in the track surface at that section of the circuit.
The damage was creating a serious hazard, with chunks of asphalt breaking away from the road and adhering to car tyres as vehicles passed over the affected area.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was furious to crash out of his home race
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George Russell had flagged concerns about the final corner earlier in the race, asking his team over radio: "What is going on in the last corner?"
Race director Rui Marques made his way to the affected corner to conduct a personal assessment of the damage.
Track marshals equipped with sweeping brushes worked to clear the small pieces of asphalt from the racing line while FIA officials deliberated on how to proceed safely.
Their efforts proved successful, with race control soon determining conditions were adequate to resume racing.
The FIA subsequently issued a restart order to all teams, confirming the grid positions for when the Grand Prix would get back underway.
With the green light approaching, drivers faced a sprint finish with just 10 laps left to complete.