Monaco GP 2023: Sky Sports F1 pundits predict 4-group battle for pole, Fernando Alonso to finish win drought

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 guidelines Fernando Alonso for victory on Sunday Watch the Monaco Grand Prix reside on Sky Sports F1

Final updated: 26/05/23 six:04am

Carlos Sainz ahead of Max Verstappen throughout the 2022 Monaco GP

This weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix appears set to function the initial 4-group battle at the get started 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 possibly alter that.

The exclusive narrow street traits of the historic Monaco circuit could see the kind book go out the window and this year may possibly be no distinct as Red Bull’s benefit in straight line speed is somewhat negated when Aston Martin and Ferrari can use their energy in the slow corners.

Mercedes will also arrive in Monaco for the initial time with their key 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 far more intrigue to the weekend.

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Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater assesses the influence Mercedes’ new upgrades could have as the initial pictures of their facelifted vehicle emerge

Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater assesses the influence Mercedes’ new upgrades could have as the initial pictures of their facelifted vehicle emerge

With Saturday’s qualifying session arguably the most essential of the year, Ski Sports F1’s Simon Lazenby reckons the battle for pole will be closer than ever.

“I consider there are 4 teams in it,” he stated on the most up-to-date edition of the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

“If we take Monaco into account, let’s face it, it is all on Saturday these days. Factors can come about in the race – perhaps we get rain or some thing clever occurs strategically or strategically fails – but I consider there are potentially 4 teams. in it on Saturday about these streets.

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“Mercedes struggled in a straight line, but they appear to be fine in the corners at slower speeds, and this is definitely 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 robust in corners at low and medium speeds and once again not in a straight line.”

“And RB19 will be robust.”

“I appreciate qualifying Saturday, it is a single of my favourite days of the year for the reason that you just know almost everything is constructing towards it.

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Max Verstappen believes this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is ​​the most challenging race for his Red Bull to win due to the traits of the track

Max Verstappen believes this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is ​​the most challenging 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 a single of the couple of weaknesses Red Bull’s RB19 has in struggling to get the tires up to operating temperature to optimize single-lap overall performance.

Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz also expects Red Bull to be beneath far more stress this weekend.

“Red Bull most likely lost not obtaining Imola for the reason that now they go to Monaco and they face the threat of Fernando Alonso,” Kravitz stated.

“He is effectively motivated and yes, Aston Martin will have to have almost everything to go completely in Monaco to beat Red Bull for the reason that the RB19 will nonetheless be a superior vehicle 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 selection as they’ve currently redone the vehicle with all the radiators and almost everything and b) you nonetheless have to have a superior vehicle about Monaco!”

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George Russell cannot wait to see how his new revamped Mercedes will execute in Monaco with its new upgrades

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?

Just after scoring 4 podiums in the initial 5 races for Aston Martin, Alonso has named Monaco as a single of the tracks he can win at this year.

The Spaniard has been stuck on 32 wins considering that the 2013 Spanish GP and Kravitz is tipping the two-time globe 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.

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Never miss the Monaco Grand Prix reside this weekend on Sky Sports F1

Never miss the Monaco Grand Prix reside this weekend on Sky Sports F1

“I know he’s place a lot into it, it is a bit of a heavy vehicle but it is got fantastic tire overall performance and he’s such a wise guy who knows how to win in Monaco. I know Max is operating and I know Lewis is operating, but I just consider it is the outcome he’s searching for and I consider it is the outcome Formula 1 desires just after Imola.”

Even so, championship leader Max Verstappen has offered the impetus to win once again in Monaco just 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 possibility to beat Charles Leclerc. a time when the Red Bulls have been third and fourth on the grid. Perez would win the wet-dry race on Sunday, when Verstappen would finish third behind Carlos Sainz.

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Sergio Perez loses the rear of his flying wing and slides into the wall, closing pole position to Charles Leclerc, when Carlos Sainz crashes into a parked Red Bull

Sergio Perez loses the rear of his flying wing and slides into the wall, closing pole position to Charles Leclerc, when Carlos Sainz crashes into a parked Red Bull

Verstappen would then refuse a group order to let Perez via 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 neglect how it began. It began in Monaco with Perez’s small ‘park’.”

“That is one more explanation why Verstappen desires to win and why I was entirely incorrect about Alonso winning Monaco,” Kravitz continued.

“Verstappen will want to win Monaco for the reason that of final year’s disappointment.”

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Take a appear back at some of the most dramatic moments that took location at the Monaco Grand Prix

Take a appear back at some of the most dramatic moments that took location at the Monaco Grand Prix

Ski Sports F1 reside Monaco Grand Prix schedule

Friday, May perhaps 26
ten.05: F3 qualifications
12:00: Initially 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 perhaps 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 perhaps 28
7.15: F3 function race
eight.45am: F2 function race
12.30pm: Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday
two:00 p.m.: THE Fantastic 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 perhaps. Get Ski Sports