Will Red Bull’s one hundred per cent win record in 2023 come to an finish at the Monaco GP? Sky Sports F1’s Simon Lazenby thinks 4 teams are in contention for pole position on Saturday Ted Kravitz recommendations Fernando Alonso for win on Sunday Watch the Monaco GP reside on Sky Sports F1
six:04, UK, Friday 26 Might 2023
The Monaco GP this weekend appears set to have the 1st 4-group battle at the front of the 2023 season, according to the Sky Sports F1 pundits.
Red Bull have dominated the year so far, winning all 5 grands prix plus the Baku Sprint, but Formula 1’s arrival in Monte Carlo may perhaps see that about to modify.
The distinctive qualities of the historic Circuit de Monaco’s narrow streets can see the kind book go out the window, and this year may perhaps be no various as Red Bull’s straight-line speed benefit is somewhat negated whilst Aston Martin and Ferrari can capitalise on their strength in slow-speed corners.
Mercedes will also arrive in Monaco with their massive upgrade package for the 1st time, following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna GP, which they hope will place them back in race-winning contention and adds additional intrigue to the weekend.
Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater assesses the influence that Mercedes’ new upgrades could have, as the 1st images emerge of their revamped car or truck
With Saturday’s qualifying session arguably the most significant of the year, Sky Sports F1’s Simon Lazenby feels the battle to claim pole position will be closer than ever.
“I assume there are 4 teams in it,” he stated on the newest edition of the Sky Sports F1 Podcast.
“If we take Monaco to be, let’s face it, all about Saturday these days. Factors can come about in the race – perhaps we’ll get some rain or a thing will come about clever strategically or strategic failures – but I assume there are potentially 4 teams in it on Saturday about these streets.
“Mercedes have struggled in a straight line but they appear to be OK in the slower-speed corners and this is definitely a higher-downforce track.
“Ferrari’s troubles have not been about rotation, it is been rear instability in higher-speed corners.
“Aston Martin know they are sturdy in low and medium-speed corners and once more not in a straight line.
“And the RB19 is going to be sturdy.
“I adore qualifying Saturday, it is one particular of my favourite days of the year, since you just know that all the things is geared towards it.”
Max Verstappen believes this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is the hardest race to win in his Red Bull since of the qualities of the circuit
Monaco’s quick lap – at just three.337km lengthy – could also exacerbate one particular of the really handful of weaknesses Red Bull’s RB19 has in that it struggles to get its tyres up to operating temperature to optimise one particular-lap efficiency.
Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz also expects Red Bull to come beneath additional stress this weekend.
“Arguably Red Bull lost out from not getting Imola since now they are going to Monaco and they are faced with the Fernando Alonso threat,” Kravitz stated.
“He is effectively motivated and yes Aston Martin are going to require all the things to go completely for them in Monaco in order to beat Red Bull since the RB19 will nevertheless be a superior car or truck in Monaco.
“And then you have got the Mercedes upgrades which they are bringing to Monaco. Everybody says you are going to be crazy to bring upgrades to Monaco but a) they do not have any option since they’ve currently redone the car or truck with all the radiators and all the things and b) you nevertheless require a superior car or truck about Monaco!”
George Russell cannot wait to see how his new revamped Mercedes will execute in Monaco with their new upgrades
Alonso to finish ten-year win drought? Verstappen spurred on by 2022 fallout?
Soon after selecting up 4 podiums in his opening 5 races for Aston Martin, Alonso has named Monaco as one particular of the tracks he can choose up a win this year.
The Spaniard has been stuck on 32 wins due to the fact the 2013 Spanish GP and Kravitz is tipping the two-time planet champion to finish that drought.
“I am going with the 33rd win for Fernando Alonso. I am going to get aboard the hype train,” Kravitz stated.
Never miss the Monaco Grand Prix reside this weekend on Sky Sports F1
“I know he’s invested a lot into it, it is a bit of a draggy car or truck but it is got excellent tyre efficiency and he’s such a clever guy who knows how to win about Monaco. I know Max does and I know Lewis does, but I just assume it is the outcome he’s right after and I assume it is sort of the outcome Formula 1 demands right after Imola.”
Having said that, championship leader Max Verstappen has added incentive to win in Monaco once more right after the events of 12 months ago.
It was Sergio Perez’s qualifying crash in Monaco that allegedly sowed the seeds of a rift amongst the Red Bull group-mates through the latter stages of 2022. Perez crashed at Portier on his final lap in qualifying which denied Verstappen the opportunity of beating Charles Leclerc’s pole time as the Red Bulls lined up third and fourth on the grid. Perez would win a wet-dry race on the Sunday whilst Verstappen would finish third behind Carlos Sainz.
Sergio Perez loses the rear on his flying lap and slides into the wall, sealing pole position for Charles Leclerc, whilst Carlos Sainz crashes into the parked Red Bull
Verstappen would then refuse a group order to let Perez previous at the Brazilian GP, citing an incident amongst the pair earlier in the season as his cause for undertaking so.
Lazenby stated: “It really is all been smiles amongst the Red Bull pairing this year taking into consideration how it completed final year but let’s not overlook how it began. It began in Monaco with Perez’s small ‘park’.”
“That is the other cause why Verstappen desires to win and why I am entirely incorrect on Alonso winning Monaco,” Kravitz continued.
“Verstappen will want to win Monaco since of the disappointment of final year.”
Appear back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken location at the Monaco Grand Prix
Sky Sports F1’s reside Monaco GP schedule
Friday Might 26
ten.05am: F3 Qualifying
12pm: Monaco GP Practice A single (session begins 12.30pm)
two.05pm: F2 Qualifying
three.45pm: Monaco GP Practice Two (session begins 4pm)
five.30pm: The F1 Show: Monaco
Saturday Might 27
9.55am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Monaco GP Practice 3 (session begins 11.30am)
1.30pm: F2 Sprint
two:30pm: Monaco GP Qualifying construct-up
3pm: Monaco GP Qualifying
four.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday Might 28
7.15am: F3 Function Race
eight.45am: F2 Function Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Monaco GP construct-up
2pm: THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag Monaco GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
five.30pm: The 107th Indy 500
Formula 1 now heads to the streets of Monaco for the sixth Grand Prix of the 2023 season – watch all the action on Sky Sports F1 from Might 26-28. Get Sky Sports