The crown jewel in Formula One's crown, the Monaco Grand Prix is next on the 2023 calendar. After an unplanned break, teams will be anxious to set the pace on this irregular circuit.
Image credit: Formula E on Newspress
The end of May was supposed to mark the beginning of Formula One's first triple-header of 2023. But with torrential flooding cancelling the Imola event, the paddock has hot-footed it across the border into Monaco for what is arguably the most unique event on the sport's calendar.
Winding through ancient streets sided by rock-hard metal barriers, the Monaco Grand Prix is always a spectacle to watch, especially on Saturday. This unique circuit may not produce spectacular racing, but thanks to its challenging layout, qualifying is always worth the watch.
Whilst they surely want to improve their cars as early as possible, Monaco is a circuit different to any other. An upgrade that works at most Formula One venues may not work at Monaco. Whilst a design that shows performance at Monaco may not correlate with the rest of the calendar. Risking this confusion when flying within a hair's width of the barriers is dangerous business. If a driver were to break a new part without providing enough data to ensure it works, it would set their car's development back weeks and take a large chunk out of the cost cap budget.
To run or not to run upgrades at Monaco is a big question. Mercedes is one team that will be anxious to trial its latest improvements given the change's sizeable nature. Journalists and photographers in the pitlane today have been left in awe at new Mercedes flanks featuring pronounced sidepods. Whether or not this change radically improves the team's car will be an interesting topic of conversation this weekend.
As a result, it is crucial to maximise one's qualifying pace. This also means that the order could see a shake up this weekend. Throughout the season, we've seen the top four teams be much closer on a Saturday than a Sunday. That, coupled with the unique layout characteristics mean the race win is absolutely up for grabs.
In his podium interview at Miami, Fernando Alonso mentioned Monaco as the possible location for his elusive 33rd F1 race win. Considering the Aston Martin's strength in lower-speed corners, this is entirely plausible. But when one considers the likes of Leclerc's super human qualifying pace and the Red Bull invincibility, one can truly get excited about Saturday afternoon's sessions.
However, in 2022 that all changed. Whilst many attempt to claim that the changes to tradition are in a bid for Formula One's organisers to take back control of the event from the Automobile Club de Monaco, that simply isn't the case. With triple headers coming as a result of the increasing number of races per season, something had to budge. The shortened weekend gives teams more time to prepare and rest between the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and Monaco.
With plenty going on during the weekend, you won't want to miss a second of on-track action. To ensure you stay up to speed with all the goings on, European fans can follow sessions live from the F1 TV app. British F1 enthusiasts however must make do with the Sky Sports F1 coverage or Channel 4 highlights.
The twenty F1 cars will take on the legendary Monaco street track this weekend for multiple sessions. Find all the times below:
FP2: 17:00 CEST - 18:00 CEST
Qualifying: 16:00 CEST - 17:00 CEST
Will you watch the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix? Who are you cheering for?
Image credit: Formula E on Newspress
The end of May was supposed to mark the beginning of Formula One's first triple-header of 2023. But with torrential flooding cancelling the Imola event, the paddock has hot-footed it across the border into Monaco for what is arguably the most unique event on the sport's calendar.
Winding through ancient streets sided by rock-hard metal barriers, the Monaco Grand Prix is always a spectacle to watch, especially on Saturday. This unique circuit may not produce spectacular racing, but thanks to its challenging layout, qualifying is always worth the watch.
Upgrades in Monaco
One major problem teams are facing following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola is the lack of running with new upgrades. Many teams, including Mercedes had planned to trial significant upgrades on the Italian circuit. However, with that event now lost, it will be a tough decision as to whether they run the new pieces in Monaco or not.Whilst they surely want to improve their cars as early as possible, Monaco is a circuit different to any other. An upgrade that works at most Formula One venues may not work at Monaco. Whilst a design that shows performance at Monaco may not correlate with the rest of the calendar. Risking this confusion when flying within a hair's width of the barriers is dangerous business. If a driver were to break a new part without providing enough data to ensure it works, it would set their car's development back weeks and take a large chunk out of the cost cap budget.
To run or not to run upgrades at Monaco is a big question. Mercedes is one team that will be anxious to trial its latest improvements given the change's sizeable nature. Journalists and photographers in the pitlane today have been left in awe at new Mercedes flanks featuring pronounced sidepods. Whether or not this change radically improves the team's car will be an interesting topic of conversation this weekend.
A different order?
As F1 press won't let the community forget, Monaco is a unique race on the F1 calendar. In fact, it's not really a race at all. By the time we get to Sunday, the final race result is pretty much confirmed given overtaking is seemingly impossible. Bar the odd driver error or poor show of reliability, the result at the end of qualifying remains until the end of the race.As a result, it is crucial to maximise one's qualifying pace. This also means that the order could see a shake up this weekend. Throughout the season, we've seen the top four teams be much closer on a Saturday than a Sunday. That, coupled with the unique layout characteristics mean the race win is absolutely up for grabs.
In his podium interview at Miami, Fernando Alonso mentioned Monaco as the possible location for his elusive 33rd F1 race win. Considering the Aston Martin's strength in lower-speed corners, this is entirely plausible. But when one considers the likes of Leclerc's super human qualifying pace and the Red Bull invincibility, one can truly get excited about Saturday afternoon's sessions.
How to watch the Monaco Grand Prix?
In the past, the Monaco Grand Prix weekend featured particularities far greater than its layout. In fact, up until 2021, the first two practice sessions would take place on a Thursday rather than their typical slot on a Friday. This left a gap in proceedings on Fridays for drivers to complete media commitments and have a break.However, in 2022 that all changed. Whilst many attempt to claim that the changes to tradition are in a bid for Formula One's organisers to take back control of the event from the Automobile Club de Monaco, that simply isn't the case. With triple headers coming as a result of the increasing number of races per season, something had to budge. The shortened weekend gives teams more time to prepare and rest between the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and Monaco.
With plenty going on during the weekend, you won't want to miss a second of on-track action. To ensure you stay up to speed with all the goings on, European fans can follow sessions live from the F1 TV app. British F1 enthusiasts however must make do with the Sky Sports F1 coverage or Channel 4 highlights.
The twenty F1 cars will take on the legendary Monaco street track this weekend for multiple sessions. Find all the times below:
Friday:
FP1: 13:30 CEST - 14:30 CESTFP2: 17:00 CEST - 18:00 CEST
Saturday:
FP3: 12:30 CEST - 13:30 CESTQualifying: 16:00 CEST - 17:00 CEST
Sunday:
Monaco Grand Prix: 15:00 CEST - 17:00 CESTWill you watch the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix? Who are you cheering for?
