Key events
Some quotes from Max Verstappen, second on the grid in his Red Bull: “Try not to overthink it too much, that works best. We will try to do the best start we can. It is a long race, anything can happen. It is not always easy and I hope today, we can have a normal start.”
Lewis Hamilton has appeared fresh and full of his previous self.
The car has repeatedly demonstrated how good it is in the slower corners but has struggled with drag on straights and in using a smaller turbocharger than their rivals. It has proved costly on traditional circuits this season where, even when competitive at the off, the Ferrari has been unable to match the Mercedes’ formidable race pace, or that of the upgraded McLaren.
Ferrari’s pace through the twists – Hamilton was quickest in the slow speed corners at the last round in Canada – and that smaller turbo will be vital in Monaco. Energy management should not be an issue with ample recharging, while the smaller turbo will enable it to remain spooled up to be most effective in punching quicker out of the corners.
Celeb spots: Mats Hummels, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, though no Kim Kardashian, not yet at least.
Liam Lawson, who has been showing off his Monaco lifestyle to the Sky broadcast, has problems with his Racing Bulls car; there seems to be a power problem, and it seems he may be starting from the pit lane.
It’s a gala weekend for McLaren, a team with such rich history.
McLaren, as leader, driver and designer, motivated by inexorable will, battled on. In 1968 he took their first win at Spa, a mighty result for the still fledgling outfit, and more would surely have followed but for his death in 1970. While testing the team’s M8D sports car at Goodwood, McLaren was killed when he spun off the track and struck a concrete marshal post. He was 32. Yet he had already instilled such passion and motivation in his team there was no consideration of not continuing. “He was the greatest leader of men I have ever met in all my life,” Ganley said.
On they went, Emerson Fittipaldi, also in Monaco this weekend, took their first drivers’ championship in 1974 and more followed. James Hunt’s title in 1976 and then under Ron Dennis’s leadership from 1981, McLaren claimed seven constructors’ titles between 1984 and 1998, a level of success that was admired and envied.
The Mercedes team are in the box seat, leading the constructors’ championship, and it’s likely to be a battle between their drivers for the title. Qualifying didn’t go so well for Russell.
The British driver, having taken time to reset and regroup since Montreal, maintained that he was unaffected by the setback in Canada, which was beyond his control. “In the past I’ve never really sort of believed in: ‘This is going to determine my destiny.’ I’m pleased that I did the job that I knew I was capable of and delivered in every moment when it was required,” he said.
“Of course it was annoying, but I didn’t lose much sleep over it and I think I can continue doing that job for the 17 races to go.
“I don’t think I’ve got anything to lose, really. I feel I’m still going with that same mindset, that if I look at it from my competitor’s [Antonelli’s] position, you’re kind of in a position now that you’ve got such a buffer, it feels like you can only keep it or you can only lose it. I think it’s his to lose.”
Read Giles Richards’ qualifying report.
The drivers championship standings
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1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 131 points
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2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 88 points
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3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 75 points
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4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 72 points
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5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 58 points
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6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 48 points
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7. Max Verstappen Red Bull) – 43 points
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8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 20 points
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9. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 18 points
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10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 16 points
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11. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 15 points
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12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 14 points
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13. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 6 points
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14. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 5 points
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15. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 2 points
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16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1 point
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17. Alex Albon (Williams) – 1 point
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18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – 0 points
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19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 0 points
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20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – 0 points
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21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0 points
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22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 0 points
The starting grid:
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1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
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2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
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3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
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4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
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5. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
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6. George Russell (Mercedes)
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7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
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8. Lando Norris (McLaren)
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9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
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10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
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11. Alex Albon (Williams)
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12. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
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13. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
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14. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
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15. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
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16. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
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17. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
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18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
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19. Ollie Bearman (Haas)
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20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
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21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
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22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Preamble
Monaco, the creme de la creme of F1 events, a test different to the rest, and the one every driver wants on their palmares. The principality stages the most scenic event in the sport, and this time, there’s a loaded grid, with Kimi Antonelli on pole, Max Verstappen alongside him, Lewis Hamilton, a three-time winner in third, with Charles Leclerc, the local boy making for a Ferrari second row.
Lights out at 2pm UK time. Join me.
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