Preview | Does Ferrari know how to get revenge in Monaco?

The Formula 1 teams have only just finished a Grand Prix in Spain, but in a few days, the next race weekend awaits. The teams travel to Monaco to for the historic GP. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc seem to be fighting for the first place again, although several drivers have a good chance of victory.

Grand Prix in Monaco

Since the beginning of Formula 1, the Circuit de Monaco has been among the destinations of the motor racing class. The first version took place in 1950 when Anthony Noghes won. Subsequently, no GP took place for four years, after which Monaco remained on the calendar.

Ayrton Senna still holds the record for most wins at Monaco. The late Brazilian managed to take victory six times in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Michael Schumacher came next with five wins.

After Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line first in 2019, the race did not take place in 2020 due to the coronavirus. A year later, however, the organization decided to return to Formula 1. Verstappen took an important victory last year, taking the lead in the world championship for the first time in his career.

Circuit de Monaco

Monaco's street circuit annually guarantees drivers tight turns, challenging overtaking and narrow roads. The track is about 3.34 kilometres long and has almost eighty laps to come to a total of 260.52 kilometres. One of the unique turns is the Rancasse that goes around the La Rascasse restaurant.

Since it is so difficult to overtake, qualifying is often decisive for the race. On Sunday, it is difficult to pass your predecessor and therefore few shifts take place concerning the starting grid. Nevertheless, the GP is an integral part of the Formula 1 calendar.

Formula 1 in 2022

Verstappen has a taste for success after the difficult start to the season. The Dutchman won the races in Imola, Miami and Barcelona, so he successfully took the last three GPs to himself. Last weekend he also took the lead in the world championship.

This means that Verstappen is on top for the first time this season and that Leclerc has to make do with second place. The Monegasque started the current racing year very promising but had a hard time in the last weeks at Ferrari.

The updates in Barcelona should give Leclerc hope though. The driver managed to set the fastest time in qualifying for the GP of Spain and seemed to drive convincingly to victory on Sunday until he had problems with his engine. Verstappen cleverly took advantage of Ferrari's problems but is not rid of Leclerc for now.

Weather forecast

After two very hot GPs in Miami and Barcelona, the drivers are expected to prepare for some cooler conditions in Monaco. Where in Spain temperatures of 35 to 40 degrees were reached, according to Weeronline.nl Monaco this weekend around 26 degrees.

It is expected to be slightly cloudy there next weekend with a southeast wind. There is no chance of precipitation, so the Formula 1 teams can once again prepare for a dry track.

Expectations for the Monaco Grand Prix

Given the current form, Verstappen is in with Red Bull, the reigning world champion seems to have the best chance of winning in Monaco. However, the circuit is treacherous, as Verstappen knows all too well from the past. He will therefore not be at ease.

On the other hand, Ferrari made a very good impression in Barcelona. The updates that the Italian formation launched proved to have a good effect on the performance of the car of Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Finally, Mercedes also had a good feeling about last weekend's race.

Red Bull and Ferrari will fight together for pole position, with Mercedes as an outsider able to become the smiling third. However, the Monaco circuit is not comparable to Barcelona's, so this coming weekend will provide a new look at the updates the teams launched in Spain.

Timetable for the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix

Friday

First free practice: 14:00-15:00

Second free practice: 17:00-18:00

Saturday

Third free practice: 13:00-14:00

Qualification: 16:00-17:00

Sunday

Race: 15:00-17:00