1. Are the qualifications spectacular?
The Monaco GP is one of the most glamorous events of the season. A unique setting for racing. The narrow streets of Monte Carlo, the casino, the marina and numerous celebrities provide an extraordinary spectacle. Winning in the principality equals eternal fame. All the more reason for the twenty drivers to pull out all the stops.
But what makes the race itself so special? It circuit of Monaco is the shortest and narrowest on the calendar. Overtaking is not easy at first sight and that is why qualifying on Saturday is almost more important than the race itself. The drivers will drive at the absolute limit of their cars every lap to take the coveted pole position. If you go over that limit, a appointment with the guardrail quickly very close. As far as we are concerned, you should not let the qualification pass you by.
Max Verstappen turns into the marina of Monaco. — © AP
2. Who can put the heat on Red Bull?
As you probably know, Red Bull dominates the start of the season. Two-time world champion Max Verstappen won three races, his teammate Sergio Perez the other two. The Austrian racing stable does not seem to be right, but it is and remains Monaco. And that is why it is absolutely no certainty that Verstappen or Perez will cross the line first on Sunday. Maximum speed is less important. And let that be the strength of the Red Bull cars.
During the first five races, Aston Martin turned out to be Red Bull’s biggest competitor. Lawrence Stroll’s team is performing well above expectations this season and seems to be close again this time. Aston Martin has excellent qualifying pace and is good at slower corners. Ideal for Monaco. First driver Fernando Alonso seems to be back in the prime of his life and is chasing his first victory since 2013. The two-time world champion has already won twice in Monaco in the past and would like to do that trick again.
Fernando Alonso celebrates after his podium finish in Jeddah. — © REUTERS
3. Are Mercedes’ upgrades successful?
Before the race in Imola was cancelled, it was mainly looking forward to the upgrades that Mercedes had brought. The Silver Arrows are not satisfied with just one podium finish in five races and want to close the gap with the fastest teams as soon as possible. Expectations in the paddock will therefore be high when Lewis Hamilton and George Russell take to the track on Friday.
On the other hand, Monaco is not the most suitable race to judge about changes that have been made. Precisely because it is such a specific and unique circuit, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has already indicated that he does not expect any miracles. The focus this weekend is mainly on traction, downforce and brake balance. So it remains to be seen whether Mercedes’ upgrades can shake up the relationships this weekend.
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4. Can Leclerc win his home race with his Ferrari?
Charles Leclerc is so far this season the only non-Red Bull driver to take pole position. In Azerbaijan, the Monegask was fastest in qualifying, but was unable to cash in on the first place on the grid. Ferrari’s race pace this season is nothing like the qualifying pace of the Scuderiabut that will also play less on the streets of Monaco.
Leclerc will also try what he has never succeeded so far: winning his home race. The Monegask has always departed from the past two years pole in Monaco, but is still waiting for his first victory in the principality. According to expectations, the pace of Red Bull, Aston Martin and Ferrari will not be too far apart on Saturday. The smallest margins will make a world of difference this weekend even more than usual.
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are having a difficult start to the season with Ferrari. — © REUTERS
5. Will Nyck de Vries lose his seat yet?
For Nyck de Vries, the first five races did not exactly run smoothly. The 29-year-old Dutchman is only in his first season in Formula 1, but has had a difficult start in his AlphaTauri. A scoreless start to the season in combination with a few crashes in Baku means that parent team Red Bull is reportedly already thinking about replacing the Dutchman. But it doesn’t have to be that fast right away. AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost knows that new riders need time to adjust. Although de Vries will have to raise his level by the summer break. Getting closer to his teammate is therefore the message.
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Race weekend timetable:
Friday: FP1 (1:30 PM) and FP2 (5:00 PM)Saturday: Qualifying (4:00 PM)Sunday: Race (3:00 PM)