Will Red Bull’s one hundred % win record finish in 2023 at the Monaco GP? Ski Sports F1’s Simon Lazenby thinks 4 teams will be in contention for pole position on Saturday Ted Kravitz strategies Fernando Alonso for victory on Sunday Watch the Monaco Grand Prix reside on Sky Sports F1
six:04 AM UK Friday 26 May well 2023
This weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix appears set to function the very first 4-group battle at the start off of the 2023 season, according to Sky Sports F1 pundits.
Red Bull have dominated the year so far, winning all 5 grands prix plus the sprint in Baku, but Formula 1’s arrival in Monte Carlo may well adjust that.
The exceptional narrow street traits of the historic Monaco circuit could see the kind book go out the window and this year may well be no diverse as Red Bull’s benefit in straight line speed is somewhat negated even though Aston Martin and Ferrari can use their energy in the slow corners.
Mercedes will also arrive in Monaco for the very first time with their significant upgrade package, following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which they hope will place them back in the race for victory and add much more intrigue to the weekend.
Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater assesses the influence Mercedes’ new upgrades could have as the very first photos of their facelifted automobile emerge
With Saturday’s qualifying session arguably the most significant of the year, Ski Sports F1’s Simon Lazenby reckons the battle for pole will be closer than ever.
“I believe there are 4 teams in it,” he stated on the newest edition of the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
“If we take Monaco into account, let’s face it, it really is all on Saturday these days. Points can take place in the race – possibly we get rain or some thing clever takes place strategically or strategically fails – but I believe there are potentially 4 teams. in it on Saturday about these streets.
“Mercedes struggled in a straight line, but they look to be fine in the corners at slower speeds, and this is of course a track with a lot of downforce.
“Ferrari’s challenges weren’t about rotation, it was the instability of the rear finish when cornering at higher speeds.”
“Aston Martin knows that it is sturdy in corners at low and medium speeds and once more not in a straight line.”
“And RB19 will be sturdy.”
“I appreciate qualifying Saturday, it really is 1 of my favored days of the year for the reason that you just know every thing is creating towards it.
Max Verstappen believes this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is the most complicated race for his Red Bull to win due to the traits of the track
Monaco’s brief circuit – just three,337km extended – could also exacerbate 1 of the couple of weaknesses Red Bull’s RB19 has in struggling to get the tires up to operating temperature to optimize single-lap functionality.
Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz also expects Red Bull to be beneath much more stress this weekend.
“Red Bull possibly lost not possessing Imola for the reason that now they go to Monaco and they face the threat of Fernando Alonso,” Kravitz stated.
“He is nicely motivated and yes, Aston Martin will will need every thing to go completely in Monaco to beat Red Bull for the reason that the RB19 will nonetheless be a great automobile in Monaco.”
“And then you have the Mercedes upgrades that they bring to Monaco. Everybody says you’d be crazy to bring upgrades to Monaco, but a) they have no decision as they’ve currently redone the automobile with all the radiators and every thing and b) you nonetheless will need a great automobile about Monaco!”
George Russell cannot wait to see how his new revamped Mercedes will execute in Monaco with its new upgrades
Alonso to finish ten-year drought? Verstappen spurred by 2022 fallout?
Right after scoring 4 podiums in the very first 5 races for Aston Martin, Alonso has named Monaco as 1 of the tracks he can win at this year.
The Spaniard has been stuck on 32 wins because 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 on the super train,” stated Kravitz.
Do not miss the Monaco Grand Prix reside this weekend on Sky Sports F1
“I know he’s place a lot into it, it really is a bit of a heavy automobile but it really is got terrific tire functionality and he’s such a wise guy who knows how to win in Monaco. I know Max is functioning and I know Lewis is functioning, but I just believe it really is the outcome he’s hunting for and I believe it really is the outcome Formula 1 requires soon after Imola.”
Even so, championship leader Max Verstappen has offered the impetus to win once more in Monaco soon after the occasion 12 months ago.
It was Sergio Perez’s crash in qualifying at Monaco that reportedly sowed the seeds of a rift among the Red Bull teammates in the latter stages of 2022. Perez crashed on Portier on his final lap of qualifying, denying Verstappen the opportunity to beat Charles Leclerc. a time when the Red Bulls had been third and fourth on the grid. Perez would win the wet-dry race on Sunday, even though Verstappen would finish third behind Carlos Sainz.
Sergio Perez loses the rear of his flying wing and slides into the wall, closing pole position to Charles Leclerc, even though Carlos Sainz crashes into a parked Red Bull
Verstappen would then refuse a group order to let Perez by means of at the Brazilian GP, citing an incident among the pair earlier in the season as the explanation.
Lazenby stated: “It was all smiles among the Red Bull pairs this year offered how it ended final year, but let’s not overlook how it began. It began in Monaco with Perez’s tiny ‘park’.”
“That is an additional explanation why Verstappen desires to win and why I was fully incorrect about Alonso winning Monaco,” Kravitz continued.
“Verstappen will want to win Monaco for the reason that of final year’s disappointment.”
Take a appear back at some of the most dramatic moments that took spot at the Monaco Grand Prix
Ski Sports F1 reside Monaco Grand Prix schedule
Friday, May well 26
ten.05: F3 qualifications
12:00: Initial practice of the Monaco Grand Prix (session begins at 12:30)
14.05: F2 qualifications
15.45: Second practice of the Monaco Grand Prix (session begins at 16:00)
17.30: Fair F1: Monaco
Saturday, May well 27
9.55: F3 sprint
11.15: Third practice of the Monaco Grand Prix (session begins at 11.30)
13.30: F2 sprint
14:30: Setting the qualifications for the Monaco Grand Prix
15:00: Qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix
16.45: Ted’s qualification notebook
Sunday, May well 28
7.15: F3 function race
eight.45am: F2 function race
12.30pm: Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday
two:00 p.m.: THE Wonderful PRICA OF MONACO
16:00: Reaction to the Monaco Grand Prix with the checkered flag
17:00: Ted’s notebook
17.30: 107th Indy 500
Formula 1 now requires to the streets of Monaco for the sixth Grand Prix of the 2023 season – see all the action on Ski Sports F1 from 26-28 May well. Get Ski Sports