Max Verstappen heads into this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix with a fairly healthy lead in qualifying over an in-form Sergio Perez. Red Bull naturally leads the way in the team standings.
Perez was a winner in the principality last year, and the championship fight could happen again this year, so Verstappen doesn’t get away.
When is?
The 2023 Monaco Grand Prix will take place from Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28.
What time do the sessions start?
Friday, May 26
All times British Summer Time
Practice 1: 12:30 p.m.
Practice 2: 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 27
Practice 3: 11:30 a.m.
Qualification: 15:00
Sunday, May 28
Career: 2:00 p.m.
What were the times after the second practice?
- Max VerstappenRed Bull 1:12.462
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari +0.065
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari +0.107
- Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin +0.220
- Lando Norris, McLaren +0.444
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes +0.498
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull +0.529
- Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo +0.588
- Pierre Gasly, Alpha Tauri +0.627
- Esteban Ocon, Alpine +0.700
- Paseo Lance, Aston Martin +0.723
- George Russell, Mercedes +0.729
- Guanyu Zhou, Alfa Romeo +0.892
- Kevin Magnussen, Haas +0.995
- Nico Hulkenberg, Haas +1,058
- Yuki Tsunoda, Alpha Tauri +1,179
- Nyck de Vries, Alpha Tauri +1,201
- Oscar Piastri, McLaren +1,211
- Alexander Albon, Williams +1,755
- Logan Sgt, Williams +1,776
What is the weather forecast?
The forecast, according to the Met Office, appears to be fine for most races at this point.
The temperature should be around a peak of around 26°C for all three days.
Friday practice day will be mostly sunny with highs of 25c, and Saturday will look much the same.
On Sunday, things look a bit more likely for precipitation, with around a 40 percent chance of light rain late afternoon into the evening, with a little more cloudiness.
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports F1 has almost exclusive live coverage rights in the UK this year and indeed for years to come with its usual excellent team.
Sky’s qualifying coverage begins at 2:00pm on Saturday with full coverage of the race starting at 12:30pm on Sunday.
Channel 4 qualifying highlights are at 7:30pm on Saturday and race highlights at 6:30pm on Sunday.
What do we know about Circuit de Monaco?
- Circuit Length: 3,337km
- First Grand Prix (championship): 1950
- laps: 78
- Race distance: 260.286km
- Race lap record: 1:12.909 (Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes)
- winner 2022: Sergio Perez, Red Bull
- Number of corners: 19
- Overtaking possibilities: With these cars? Thin to none.
Could Red Bull be beaten for the first time in 2023?
The season so far has produced five wins for Red Bull and four doubles for the team in that time. It’s fair to say that it’s been a dominating moment for the defending champions. However, if you’re looking for a non-Red Bull win, like most F1 fans are, then this seems like the best option.
Red Bull has been more vulnerable in qualifying, usually extending its lead on Sundays. The advantage he has on the pitch should be less on the streets of Monaco. The advantage their drag reduction system has will also be diminished and if – and it’s not exactly a small if – a non-Red Bull car takes pole then it could be difficult for them. We know, after all, how difficult it is to overtake here.
So who is best positioned to beat them? So far in qualifying, Ferrari have been the second fastest team, with Charles Leclerc taking pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and also for the sprint race in Baku. Aston Martin could also be a factor, following the times in the two practice sessions on Friday.
What are the current positions?
Drivers: Top 10
