Five things to look out for at the Monaco GP

Monaco, the crown jewel of the Formula 1 calendar, is synonymous with glamour, prestige, and high-speed excitement. Nestled on the French Riviera, this iconic street circuit has a rich history dating back to 1929. The allure of Monaco lies in its treacherously tight turns, narrow streets, and stunning backdrop, offering a true test of skill and precision for drivers. 

The track has been the second-longest-running track in F1 history. As F1 returns to this historic Monaco circuit, after the cancellation of the Imola Grand Prix due to floods, fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding of thrilling storylines. Dive in to discover the top 5 things to watch out for as the racing spectacle takes over the streets of Monte Carlo.

Discover: Who is the most successful F1 driver at the Monaco GP?

1. Charles Leclerc could break his curse to win his maiden home victory 

Charles Leclerc, the homegrown hero from Monaco, has had a bittersweet relationship with his home Grand Prix. Known for enduring misfortune in the past, he now stands poised to finally break the “curse” and secure his long-awaited home victory. In previous years, the Monegasque driver often left the race feeling dejected, as if fate conspired against him. Last year, victory heartbreakingly slipped through his fingers. Despite qualifying on the pole with a three-tenths margin, a botched Ferrari pitstop hurt his chances. Until last year, he had endured retirements in every Monaco race. However, this time around, Charles has a genuine chance to turn the tide.

His dreams of triumph were abruptly shattered twice in consecutive years. In 2021, he secured pole position, albeit ending the qualifying prematurely due to a crash at the swimming pool Chicane. Though the incident was not deliberate, his hopes were dashed again when a gearbox issue prevented him from starting the race, marking him as a Did Not Start (DNS).

In 2018, a crash prematurely ended his race, and in 2019, a strategic blunder from Ferrari saw him eliminated from the third qualifying session. While Ferrari’s car this year may present its challenges, lacking flexibility and struggling with tire management, it boasts remarkable qualifying speed. With Charles Leclerc’s exceptional one-lap pace, the SF23 has a solid chance of securing pole position for the third consecutive time.

At the notoriously tricky Monaco circuit, overtaking opportunities are scarce. Therefore, leading from the front would provide the prancing horse and the Monegasque driver with an ideal opportunity to claim victory on the streets of Monte Carlo. Breaking Charles Leclerc’s home curse, a sequence of nightmarish races would be an extraordinary achievement.

2. Mercedes’ upgraded side pods design 

The 2023 season has been rather lackluster for Mercedes, with the German team struggling to find their stride. Their solitary podium finish, courtesy of Lewis Hamilton in Melbourne, remains their only notable achievement thus far. Embracing a distinctive design approach called the Zero Sidepod concept for the era of increased downforce, Mercedes inadvertently lagged behind their customer team, Aston Martin.

However, Mercedes has recently announced a complete makeover of their concept, aiming to turn their fortunes around. Initially intended to debut at the Imola GP, the race’s cancellation forced them to postpone their upgrades until the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix.

Creating a stir on social media, leaked images have provided a tantalizing glimpse into Mercedes’ redesigned side pod concept. They seem to have parted ways with their previous zero side pod design, setting the stage for its inaugural appearance at the iconic Monaco race. The team and fans eagerly await the potential impact of this conceptual transformation. Introducing Mercedes’ new side pod design becomes a captivating focal point that draws attention throughout the race weekend.

3. McLaren Triple Crown Livery 

McLaren has astounded the F1 community this weekend by unveiling a truly mesmerizing tribute. To commemorate their extraordinary accomplishment as the sole team to conquer the coveted Triple Crown, McLaren is set to debut a visually captivating new livery.

The livery tastefully blends the distinctive colors from the three iconic liveries that propelled them to triumph in the Triple Crown races. This weekend, as the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy 500 coincide, McLaren’s eye-catching livery adds an extra layer of excitement to the festivities. McLaren has encountered significant struggles throughout the current season. Their original design approach fell short of expectations, prompting a comprehensive reassessment and a fresh direction.

As the Woking-based team takes to the track in the Principality, they will proudly showcase their rejuvenated appearance adorned in a striking combination of their trademark papaya-orange, white, and black hues. Fans and spectators eagerly anticipate the screen presence of McLaren’s brand-new livery, hoping for a resurgent performance that translates into valuable points and podium finishes.

4. Fernando Alonso could end his decade-long winless drought

One of the season’s biggest surprises has been Aston Martin and their new driver Fernando Alonso. Propelling themselves halfway up the field, the team comfortably sits in second place, sandwiched between the dominant Red Bulls and their engine suppliers, Mercedes. Armed with a formidable machine and complemented by Alonso’s masterful racecraft, the Spaniard is in contention to end his decade-long winless drought and secure a momentous victory for the Silverstone-based outfit.

The last time Fernando Alonso tasted victory was in May 2013, when he triumphantly crossed the finish line in front of his passionate Spanish home crowd. Since then, victory has eluded him, but this year’s Monaco Grand Prix presents a golden opportunity to claim their coveted maiden trophy. The AMR23 is a well-crafted car, boasting impressive balance and a gentle touch on its tires.

Monaco has witnessed five winners in the last five years, and Fernando’s potential triumph could perpetuate this trend. Alonso has been in exceptional form throughout the season, securing a podium finish in every race except for Baku, where the team encountered DRS issues during qualifying. 

Sitting behind the Red Bull duo in the championship standings, Alonso and Aston Martin are set on surpassing their three podium finishes thus far. With the low and medium-speed corners of Monaco favoring their car’s characteristics, this race presents an ideal opportunity to achieve that elusive victory. All eyes will be on the men in green as they embark on this weekend’s race.

5. Sergio Perez can make it two victories in a row in the Principality 

Sergio Perez has undoubtedly hit a purple patch this season, delivering performances that showcase the pinnacle of his abilities. With two victories already under his belt in the opening five races, the Mexican driver sits just 13 points adrift of his Red Bull teammate, Max Verstappen, in the championship standings. Their enthralling battle for the title could be further intensified by a triumph in Monaco, enabling Perez to narrow the gap to the reigning champion.

Having emerged victorious at the Monaco Grand Prix last year, Sergio Perez enters this year’s race with a tremendous opportunity to add another glorious chapter to his already illustrious street track record. Aptly nicknamed the “King of the Streets,” Perez has clinched five out of his six career wins at street circuits. A triumph in Monaco would not only bolster his tally but also position him among the exclusive group of drivers who have secured back-to-back victories in this prestigious race, a feat accomplished by only eight individuals in Formula 1 history.

The Red Bull RB19 has proven to be an exceptional machine this season, dominating every race thus far. Sergio Perez has demonstrated his ability to defy expectations and trends by becoming a repeat winner, as exemplified by his triumph in Baku earlier this year. With fervent support from fans, the Red Bull driver will be cheered on during the race, as spectators hope to witness his pursuit of the title to challenge his teammate, Max Verstappen.

In case you missed it:

• Does the Monaco F1 track qualify as a Grand Prix circuit?
• How did the 1997 Monaco GP redefined Michael Schumacher’s ‘rain master of F1’ title?

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