Monaco. That one word evokes thoughts of glitz, glamor, and spectacle in the minds of Formula 1 fans and drivers alike. And after a notable absence on the calendar last year, that’s where F1 will be this weekend, racing on the shortest, tightest track of the season. Monaco also holds the distinction of having the fewest number or finishers relative to race starters as the close confines of the Monegasque circuit can catch out even the best drivers. The unique nature of this circuit, heavily emphasizing downforce over power, has been known to create out-of-place finishes for many drivers.
Red Bull is looking at Monaco as a must-win race as they aim to keep the leads of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes in check. Because of that and because one of their drivers has had a few incidents at Monaco and the other is still getting up to speed with the car, the team will be on edge. Nevertheless, a podium finish is highly likely, if not the win they need. AlphaTauri can expect a mixed result with one car in the points and one car close behind but likely out of a points-paying position.
Elsewhere on the grid, if there was any doubt Mercedes has reclaimed their spot as the team to beat it should be gone after Spain. From there we can expect the McLaren of Lando Norris to be in a fierce battle with Monaco-resident Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari. Following them we can look for a battle between an Alpine and an Aston Martin (probably in that order). After that we should start to see team cars from the runners mentioned above. Then we should expect to see both cars for Alfa Romeo and Williams, who will be celebrating their 750th Grand Prix, in a tight race with each other. Bringing up the rear will undoubtedly be the rookie duo at Haas. And despite these predictions, one thing is for sure: anything can happen at Monaco.
US TV SCHEDULE
Practice 1 – Thursday, May 20 – 5.25AM – ESPN2
Practice 2 – Thursday, May 20 – 8.55AM –
ESPNU
Practice 3 – Saturday, May 22 – 5.55AM – ESPN2
Qualifying – Saturday, May 22 – 8.55AM – ESPN2
Grand Prix Sunday – Sunday, May 23 – 7.30AM
Monaco Grand Prix – Sunday, May 23 – 8.55AM – ESPN2
Post-race show – Sunday, May 23 – 11AM – ESPN3
Race (re-air) – Sunday, May 23 – 12.30PM –
ABC
CIRCUIT INFORMATION
Lap data
Lap length: 3.34km (2.075 miles)
Race laps: 78
Race distance: 260.52km (161.88 miles)
Pole position: Right-hand side of the track
Lap record*: 1’14.260 by Daniel Ricciardo, 2018
Maximum speed: 283kph (175.848 mph)
DRS
zone/s (race): Pit straight
Distance from grid to turn one: 210m
Car performance
Full throttle: 30%
Longest flat-out section: 669m
Downforce level: Maximum
Fuel use per lap: 1.2kg
Time penalty per lap of fuel: 0.024s
Strategy
Quickest complete pit stop in 2013: 24.316s by Red Bull (see full list)
2021 tyres: Hard (C3), Medium (C4), Soft (C5) – (2019: Hard (C3), Medium (C4), Soft (C5))
*Fastest lap set during a Grand Prix
Data sources:
FIA
, Williams, Mercedes
2019 RESULTS
Race Info.
Pole: Lewis Hamilton, Mercdees, 1:10.166
Laps: 78
Fast race lap: Pierre Gasly, 1:14.279
Podium
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 94
2. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 80
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, 47
4. Lando Norris, McLaren, 41
5. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 40
6. Sergio Perez, Red Bull, 32
7. Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren, 24
8. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari, 20
9. Esteban Ocon, Alpine, 10
10. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, 8
11. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, 5
12. Fernando Alonso, Alpine, 5
13. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri, 2
14. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo, 0
15. Callum Ilott, Alfa Romeo 0
15. Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo, 0
16. Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin, 0
17. George Russell, Williams, 0
18. Mick Schumacher, Haas, 0
19. Nicholas Latifi, Williams, 0
20. Nikita Mazepin, Haas, 0
Constructors
1. Mercedes, 141
2. Red Bull, 112
3. McLaren, 65
4. Ferrari, 60
5. Alpine, 15
6. AlphaTauri, 10
7. Aston Martin, 5
8. Alfa Romeo, 0
9. Williams, 0
10. Haas, 0
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