Will Crimson Bull’s 100 per cent win report in 2023 come to an finish on the Monaco GP? Sky Sports activities F1’s Simon Lazenby thinks 4 groups are in competition for pole place on Saturday; Ted Kravitz ideas Fernando Alonso for win on Sunday; Watch the Monaco GP reside on Sky Sports activities F1

6:04, UK, Friday 26 Could 2023

The Monaco GP this weekend seems set to have the primary four-team battle on the entrance of the 2023 season, in keeping with the Sky Sports activities F1 pundits.

Crimson Bull have dominated the 12 months to this point, successful all 5 grands prix plus the Baku Dash, however Formulation 1’s arrival in Monte Carlo may even see that about to alter.

The distinctive traits of the historic Circuit de Monaco’s slender streets can see the shape e-book exit the window, and this 12 months could also be no totally different as Crimson Bull’s straight-line velocity benefit is considerably negated whereas Aston Martin and Ferrari can capitalise on their power in slow-speed corners.

Mercedes can even arrive in Monaco with their massive improve package deal for the primary time, following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna GP, which they hope will put them again in race-winning competition and provides extra intrigue to the weekend.

Sky Sports activities Information’ Craig Slater assesses the affect that Mercedes’ new upgrades might have, as the primary footage emerge of their revamped automotive

With Saturday’s qualifying session arguably an important of the 12 months, Sky Sports activities F1’s Simon Lazenby feels the battle to say pole place shall be nearer than ever.

“I feel there are 4 groups in it,” he mentioned on the most recent version of the Sky Sports activities F1 Podcast.

“If we take Monaco to be, let’s face it, all about Saturday lately. Issues can occur within the race – perhaps we’ll get some rain or one thing will occur intelligent strategically or strategic failures – however I feel there are doubtlessly 4 groups in it on Saturday round these streets.

“Mercedes have struggled in a straight line however they appear to be OK within the slower-speed corners and that is clearly a high-downforce monitor.

“Ferrari’s points haven’t been about rotation, it has been rear instability in high-speed corners.

“Aston Martin know they’re robust in low and medium-speed corners and once more not in a straight line.

“And the RB19 goes to be robust.

“I like qualifying Saturday, it is one in all my favorite days of the 12 months, since you simply know that the whole lot is geared in direction of it.”

Max Verstappen believes this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is the toughest race to win in his Crimson Bull due to the traits of the circuit

Monaco’s brief lap – at simply 3.337km lengthy – might additionally exacerbate one of many only a few weaknesses Crimson Bull’s RB19 has in that it struggles to get its tyres as much as working temperature to optimise one-lap efficiency.

Sky Sports activities F1’s Ted Kravitz additionally expects Crimson Bull to come back below extra strain this weekend.

“Arguably Crimson Bull misplaced out from not having Imola as a result of now they’ll Monaco and so they’re confronted with the Fernando Alonso risk,” Kravitz mentioned.

“He’s nicely motivated and sure Aston Martin are going to want the whole lot to go completely for them in Monaco with a purpose to beat Crimson Bull as a result of the RB19 will nonetheless be a superb automotive in Monaco.

“And you then’ve obtained the Mercedes upgrades which they’re bringing to Monaco. Everybody says you may be loopy to carry upgrades to Monaco however a) they haven’t any selection as a result of they’ve already redone the automotive with all of the radiators and the whole lot and b) you continue to want a superb automotive round Monaco!”

George Russell cannot wait to see how his new revamped Mercedes will carry out in Monaco with their new upgrades

Alonso to finish 10-year win drought? Verstappen spurred on by 2022 fallout?

After choosing up 4 podiums in his opening 5 races for Aston Martin, Alonso has named Monaco as one of many tracks he can choose up a win this 12 months.

The Spaniard has been caught on 32 wins because the 2013 Spanish GP and Kravitz is tipping the two-time world champion to finish that drought.

“I am going with the thirty third win for Fernando Alonso. I will get aboard the hype practice,” Kravitz mentioned.

Do not miss the Monaco Grand Prix reside this weekend on Sky Sports activities F1

“I do know he is invested loads into it, it is a bit of a draggy automotive however it’s obtained nice tyre efficiency and he is such a intelligent man who is aware of win round Monaco. I do know Max does and I do know Lewis does, however I simply assume it is the end result he is after and I feel it is sort of the end result Formulation 1 wants after Imola.”

Nonetheless, championship chief Max Verstappen has added incentive to win in Monaco once more after the occasions of 12 months in the past.

It was Sergio Perez’s qualifying crash in Monaco that allegedly sowed the seeds of a rift between the Crimson Bull team-mates throughout the latter levels of 2022. Perez crashed at Portier on his last lap in qualifying which denied Verstappen the prospect of beating Charles Leclerc’s pole time because the Crimson Bulls lined up third and fourth on the grid. Perez would win a wet-dry race on the Sunday whereas Verstappen would end third behind Carlos Sainz.

Sergio Perez loses the rear on his flying lap and slides into the wall, sealing pole place for Charles Leclerc, whereas Carlos Sainz crashes into the parked Crimson Bull

Verstappen would then refuse a staff order to let Perez previous on the Brazilian GP, citing an incident between the pair earlier within the season as his purpose for doing so.

Lazenby mentioned: “It is all been smiles between the Crimson Bull pairing this 12 months contemplating the way it completed final 12 months however let’s not overlook the way it began. It began in Monaco with Perez’s little ‘park’.”

“That is the opposite purpose why Verstappen needs to win and why I am utterly incorrect on Alonso successful Monaco,” Kravitz continued.

“Verstappen will need to win Monaco due to the frustration of final 12 months.”

Look again at a few of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Monaco Grand Prix

Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Monaco GP schedule

Friday Could 26
10.05am: F3 Qualifying
12pm: Monaco GP Apply One (session begins 12.30pm)
2.05pm: F2 Qualifying
3.45pm: Monaco GP Apply Two (session begins 4pm)
5.30pm: The F1 Present: Monaco

Saturday Could 27
9.55am: F3 Dash
11.15am: Monaco GP Apply Three (session begins 11.30am)
1.30pm: F2 Dash
2:30pm: Monaco GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: Monaco GP Qualifying
4.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book

Sunday Could 28
7.15am: F3 Characteristic Race
8.45am: F2 Characteristic Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Monaco GP build-up
2pm: THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag Monaco GP response
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
5.30pm: The 107th Indy 500

Formulation 1 now heads to the streets of Monaco for the sixth Grand Prix of the 2023 season – watch all of the motion on Sky Sports activities F1 from Could 26-28. Get Sky Sports activities