WATCH: $180 Million worth Tennis Star Maria Sharapova spotted at Monaco GP as Lewis Hamilton-led Mercedes’ special guest

The 2024 Monaco GP paddock has been filled with top notch celebrities since Day 1 of the ongoing event.

WATCH: $180 Million worth Tennis Star Maria Sharapova spotted at Monaco GP as Lewis Hamilton-led Mercedes’ special guest

Tennis superstar, Maria Sharapova was spotted in the paddock for the Monaco Grand Prix. The former world number one Russian player made her visit to the event as a special guest of the Mercedes Petronas AMG F1 team.

Maria Sharapova was present in the paddock during the FP2 session on Friday and enjoyed her time in the Mercedes garage. Sharapova wore a headset given to her by the team and took to Instagram to share a story of a pit stop in which Lewis Hamilton had a change of tires.

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Mercedes was fruitful in practice on Friday as Lewis Hamilton went fastest overall in FP1 and was second fastest in FP2. These results come at a crucial time as the Brackley-based outfit has struggled to find pace and score points this season.

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This isn’t Maria Sharapova’s first outing to an F1 race as the Russian superstar was present at the Monaco Grand Prix last year too. During that time, she handed Max Verstappen his trophy for the pole position in Monte Carlo. Sharapova is a well-known motorsport enthusiast who was present during the 2023 Miami Grand Prix and is a close friend of Hamilton.

George Russell shares his predictions on qualifying

George Russell has spoken on his predictions for qualifying in Monaco. The English driver has had a strong practice session, in which, he looked quite quick around the circuit in his W15.

George Russell
George Russell (via IMAGO)
I'm going to say top five, I hope, top five. But as I said, it changes so quick, you've got all these surprises, who knows.
George Russell said in an interview with SkySports.

Mercedes has failed to qualify for the front row this season but is hopeful of a turnaround in Monaco. Russell claims that his team is capable enough to chart a top-five lap time in qualifying, but is aware of the surprises that may come in the way of the team.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will look to continue their good form in qualifying as the two English drivers desperately need a win this season to ignite any hopes of a championship run. Up next awaits an exciting qualifying session which will decide the fate of Mercedes for the race on Sunday.

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