F1: The unpredictability of the Monaco Grand Prix offers the best opportunity to put an end to the Red Bull supremacy

Crown jewel. That is the slogan that accompanies the Monaco Grand Prix: a basic formula 1 event identified with the type of brightness and glamor that we saw the last time in Miami. And it will be seen again in Las Vegas in November. The obsession of the F1 with the US has given the principality one or two direct rivals in the United States, to the point that its long -term viability in sport is far from being a certainty, given the difficulty of overtake on the track.

But that is for another day. For now, the famous twists and turns on the shores of the French Riviera still offer the most unique challenges for the 20 drivers returning to action for the first time in three weeks. And that distinction should, in theory, give Red Bull its toughest task yet in 2023.

Christian Horner’s team has won all five races so far this season; six if you include the sprint in Azerbaijan. Galloping, too. However, for a car that reigns in the long lines and high -speed curves, a track with few long lines and a series of low speed curves comes.

As such, the opportunity arises for Ferrari, Aston Martin and Mercedes. And judging by Friday’s practice, ahead of the critical and often runner-up nature of Monaco qualifying on Saturday, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will face tougher opposition than in the opening months of the season.

The opening hour of the first practice gave plenty of room for optimism: no Red Bull car was in the top three, as Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz topped the timesheets.

The Spaniard, a teammate of local hero Charles Leclerc, is fast in Monaco but ruined his day with a crash at the pool chicane in the closing stages of second practice.

“We have been better in classification than in the race,” said Sainz.

“A strong couple of years in Monaco. I want to be optimistic and feel that we have a chance to win.”

Leclerc, who has never finished on the podium at his home race, has been on pole for the past two years and will always back himself to the top in one lap. He also looked fast on Friday.

But the black horse is undoubtedly a pole position for Fernando Alonso on Saturday. The Spaniard has been talking about his hopes of winning in Monaco, now more than 10 years since his last F1 victory in Barcelona. He was second fastest in his fast Aston Martin in FP1; fourth in FP2.

Meanwhile, a mixed day for world championship leader Verstappen. The first hour of his race saw the Dutchman dogged by balance issues; many complaints over the team radio.

He was only sixth fastest, but it pushed him back to the top of the leaderboard during the second practice qualifying sims at sunset. His teammate and rival Sergio Pérez, 14 points behind the general classification, could only finish seventh.

and mercedes? New sidepods, with the odd looking ‘no sidepod’ design eventually dropped, on the car, along with new front suspension and flooring. While the real impact won’t be properly felt until Spain next week, overall it looked like more of the same for now.

Lewis Hamilton adapted better, third fastest in first practice, while George Russell failed to finish in the top 10 in any session.

The Pole may be beyond the Silver Arrows. The excitement will be palpable, however, at Ferrari and Aston, eager to take the fight to Red Bull for a pivotal qualifying session on Saturday afternoon.

The rainy forecast for Sunday could also enliven what is often a standard grand prix, with overtaking almost impossible.