Red in the front row, Monegasque right in front: Now Charles Leclerc not only wants to finally finish at his home race, but also wants to receive the winner’s congratulations from the royal couple.
It could not have gone better for the 24-year-old world championship challenger at the Grand Prix on his own doorstep. But beware: Leclerc’s losing streak in Monaco is truly scary. But that’s not the only reason why it’s worth looking at the Côte d’Azur (3 p.m. / Sky).
Actually, the greatest danger in Monaco lurks centimeters next to the cars: crash barriers! This time, however, there could be another factor: rain – and that on a course that doesn’t forgive any slips, brakes or mistakes anyway. It’s one thing if it rains beforehand, but if it starts to rain during the race, it certainly doesn’t make it any easier. When it dries up, the timing is also important: when which tires? Whoever slips is out.
Vettel: “Adjust to mixed conditions”
“I would be surprised if it was a complete rain race,” said four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel from Aston Martin, who from ninth place on the grid in the hunt for points issued the motto: “We should probably be prepared for mixed conditions.”
World champion, last year’s winner and world championship leader Max Verstappen, who had problems against Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez last weekend, is hoping for “a little bit of chaos” next to the Mexican in fourth place. George Russell, who finished sixth in the Mercedes and once again beat record champion Lewis Hamilton in an internal duel, put it succinctly: “Bring on the rain!”
Statistically, at least one Ferrari victory is almost certain. Whether it’s raining or not, as long as you don’t start behind the safety car, the first few meters are perhaps the only way to get past the opponent on the track. When the red lights go out, the rush hour starts on the Côte d’Azur. The fact that Charles Leclerc from his 14th pole and teammate Carlos Sainz from second place on the front row increases the chances of victory for the Scuderia. Since 1997, the eventual winner has only started the race four times not from the front row, but from position three each time.
Celebrity density and yacht activity
It seems a bit as if the principality wants to work hard and convince the Formula 1 bosses: it doesn’t work without the classic. The contract ends after this race, there is no new one yet. Whether actor, footballer or MMA superstar Conor McGregor – the celebrities don’t want to miss the spectacle. The starting line-up could once again become a parade of the rich and beautiful – albeit under an umbrella while the party-goers shift into the next gear on the luxury yachts in the water.