IT’S RACE WEEK: 5 Stories We’re Excited About Before The Monaco Grand Prix

After the heartbreaking scenes in Emilia-Romagna that led to last weekend’s postponement, this weekend sees a delayed return to racing. But it’s one of the highlights of the year that kicks off what is now a doubleheader, so here are some of the big stories heading to Monaco.

1. Well, it’s Monaco!

There’s something so absolutely mind blowing about seeing Formula 1 cars on the streets of Monaco, and it never gets old. The impressive Principality circuit winds past the Casino and through the tunnel before skirting the port and passing Rascasse on its way back to the start line, in one of the most incredible settings for a race track.

It is a place where legends and the great and good of motorsport are made, and beyond, everyone wants to be seen, seeking the best vantage points ready for when the streets reverberate with the sound of F1 machinery. It all adds up to a race that every driver wants to win, to cement their place in Grand Prix history.

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Trackside fans get some of the most incredible views of an F1 car weaving its way through the barriers and can get closer to the action than at many other races, but for those watching from home there will be a few changes. This year, Formula One Management (FOM) is taking over production duties for coverage in Monaco, to ensure continuity with all other races on the calendar.

2. Thoughts with Emilia-Romagna

As excited as we all are to be back in action in Monaco, there remains the sadness that there were no races possible at Imola last weekend.

The scenes in the Emilia-Romagna region were dire as widespread flooding and mudslides hit the area, leading to the decision, made with all relevant local authorities, to call off the race.

Since then, a lot of work has been done to try to repair the damage and reunite people with their homes, and that will continue for some time. That’s why Formula 1 made a donation of 1 million euros to the Agency for Territorial Security and Civil Protection of the Emilia-Romagna Region, following a similar commitment from Ferrari, while food and water originally allocated for race guests have been passed on so they can be distributed to those in need .

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AlphaTauri’s hometown of Faenza was one of the hardest-hit locations, and team members, including Yuki Tsunoda, spent much of their time helping with the cleanup. This weekend, F1 returns to racing with those affected very much in mind.

3. A threat to Red Bull?

Red Bull have enjoyed a sensational start to the 2023 season with one-two finishes at four of the five Grands Prix so far, including the last time Max Verstappen beat Sergio Pérez in Miami.

While the two teammates could well enjoy another thrilling battle at a track where Perez won last year, Monaco also provides the best chance for the chasing pack to end Red Bull’s run.

Saturday’s qualifying session in Monaco is one of the most jaw-dropping sights of the year, as the drivers stake everything on a fast lap on low fuel, knowing that pole position would bring them one step closer to victory at a track that It’s so hard to overtake. Position changes in the race are not impossible by any means, but the leader coming out of Turn 1 on the first lap is the heavy favorite to win.

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And that means Aston Martin and Ferrari will be looking for their first victory of the season. Both have been able to get close to Red Bull on a Saturday rather than a Sunday, including Charles Leclerc’s double pole in Baku, and if one of their drivers can get past Verstappen and Perez in Monaco, there is a chance he could dictate the race.

Red Bull’s Sunday lead and the strength of the DRS are far less likely to have their usual impact on the tight streets, meaning it could all depend on who put it together in Q3.

4. Question marks surrounding updates

If we rewind to last week it’s race week feature, one of the main topics was about the updates and new Mercedes parts that were planned for Imola in particular. Not that Mercedes was going to be alone, of course, but there is significant expectation surrounding the developments they have been working on since the start of the season to try and close the gap at the front.

But now there is less certainty about the new parts. Monaco is such a unique circuit that drivers should spend as much time as possible just getting comfortable on track and being able to push the limits, rather than concentrating on analyzing updates.

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And any upgrade can also be difficult to analyze, due to the low-speed nature of the track which places an emphasis on mechanical aspects such as braking stability and traction. Of course, the better a car, the better it will perform here too, but it’s hard to judge what the impact of new parts may be.

So teams will have to make a choice, between introducing updates that could change the way the car handles or prioritizing a more well-known quantity that potentially doesn’t have the absolute level of performance that an upgraded car could if all goes well. good. And that’s all before you take into account that components are more likely to get damaged in Monaco than many other places…

5. Newbies ready for a steep learning curve

The updates may be unfamiliar to some teams, but so will be the way the rookie drivers will approach the challenge of Monaco. The 2023 grid is filled with immense talent, but foreknowledge of what it feels like to drive a Formula 1 car around this track certainly helps more experienced drivers get up to speed.

Although all three have raced here in Formula 2, for Oscar Piastri, Logan Sargeant and Nyck de Vries it is a new test to try to replicate their performances in F1. It’s a track where the driver can make an even bigger difference than others, so they have to balance the risk/reward factor trying to impress in a machine that hasn’t been overly competitive so far this year for any of them. they.

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Regardless of the potential results their cars offer, how quickly each of them gets comfortable and finds the limit, or otherwise, will remain an intriguing aspect of the weekend.