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Superior downforce the key in Monaco

Neill Simpson 23 rd May 2018

The 2018 Formula One season is shaping up as one of the tightest in years and with round six of the championship coming from the streets of the Principality, who knows what will happen in the calendars most iconic race.

The Monaco Grand Prix is the one that every fan wants to watch and the one that every driver wants to win. The tight circuit navigates itself through the narrow streets of Monaco and for 78 laps it is a severe test of the driver’s skills and nerve.

The prestigious race forms one third of the Triple Crown of Motorsport alongside Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and is known for its glitz and glamour throughout the race week. With the Cannes Film Festival taking place the week before, the who’s who of the celebrity world shift their attention to the playground for the rich and famous for a week of high octane action and extravagant parties.

 

Ayrton Senna is the most successful driver in the history of the race with six victories, while McLaren is the most successful constructor with 15 race wins.

However, this weekend, isn’t about records and legends, it’s about who will seize the initiative and take the chequered flag.

The price on pole position in Monaco cannot be underestimated. This is the most difficult circuit to overtake on and you can bet there will be a safety car at some stage in the race. This circuit is a great performance leveler and will provide the likes of McLaren, Renault and Force India an opportunity to pick up points.

Lewis Hamilton will start as favourite following his dominant win at the Spanish Grand Prix a few weeks back, although Mercedes team principle Toto Wolff has acknowledged that this will be a completely different proposition to the high speed circuit in Cataluyna. Red Bull and Ferrari have a superior downforce package to the Silver Arrows meaning both teams will be more suited to the twists and turns of the narrow streets.

 

Ferrari highlighted this last year when Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen delivered a 1-2 for the Italian team, with Daniel Ricciardo coming home third in his Red Bull.

Hamilton does come into the race he calls home with a 17-point advantage over rival Vettel, although one could view that as more of a championship buffer for the Brit, especially if things go the way they did last year.

Whoever strikes first with pole position will become favourite to win in the Principality. Judging by Wolff’s comments, it is highly unlikely to be Hamilton or Bottas.

 

Could we see Red Bull spring a surprise and charge to the front of the grid with Ricciardo and Verstappen? If this does happen then expect an electrifying start between the two Red Bull teammates, who have already taken their rivalry to the edge on several occasions this season.

Vettel and Raikkonen will be quietly confident coming into the race. The Finn started on pole last year only to see his teammate stand on top of the podium ahead of him, a result that you can bet he will want to overturn this weekend.

Neill Simpson 23rd May 2018
Formula One