MONACO GP: Round six of the Formula One calendar sees the circus heading for the crown-jewel. The Monte-Carlo grand prix has long been the most illustrious and well known race for obvious reasons. The surreal sight of 18 of the world’s fastest snaking their way through the streets of the principality is unique in sport to say the least.
Anticipation is always high when it comes to Monaco but this year it’s significantly heightened thanks to the intense Championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. Just six points separate the two drivers after five races, with Vettel, the German, leading pre-season favourite, Hamilton. Both drivers have decent if not spectacular records at the circuit, Vettel’s sole win came in the dominant 2011 Red Bull, while Hamilton has taken two victories, 2008 and last season.
As to who’ll win the race, it’s likely to be one of these two. The slight edge may lie in Vettel’s hands this time around. Mercedes have a longer car. According to Hamilton himself it’s about 120mm longer, which sounds like very little but in F1 terms it’s considerable. This makes the Ferrari, nominally at least, the more nimble car. This attribute married with the tight, twisty Monaco lay-out could bode well for the Italian team.
This recommendation does come with a health-warning. Mercedes have actually performed very well in comparable slow corners on other tracks. Monaco is however totally unique and the DNA of the Ferrari makes it the more adaptable car and should give them a minor edge.
Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikonnen have rarely proved capable of challenging their teammates and everything points to that continuing this weekend. What’s more there’s a chance they’ll have to worry about competition from behind for the first time.
Red Bull have been this season’s biggest let-down. Perceived to have been best positioned to benefit from this years’ aero-intensive regulations, the Milton-Keynes team has floundered. A heavily revised car performed much better last time out and last season they took pole position at Monaco and should have won the race through Danny Ricciardo. It’s this track, more than any, where they should perform. A double podium threat is certainly not out of the question.
A look at the mid-field offers the possibility of some good value. Teams that struggled on power hungry tracks like Russia and Bahrain will get a reprieve this weekend. Those with a good chassis will move up the pecking order so we may see a bit of a shuffle in the established order of things. Toro Rosso are reputed for their solid aero culture and will hope to make gains on both Williams and the ever-impressive Force India team.
Outright:
Ferrari are in need of a win this weekend. Mercedes have taken the last two and have three of the first five races of the season. That being said, a more nimble and adaptable car makes Sebastian Vettel at 1.97 the best shout. An outside punt on either Kimi Raikkonen (24) or Valtteri Bottas (11.5) is usually reasonable but the two have been inconsistent in qualifying and considering the track in question a front-row start is a must. It’s Vettel or Lewis Hamilton this weekend.
Specials:
It’s been a season to forget for McLaren Honda but that shouldn’t stop us from getting value out of their plight. They’re yet to get both cars to the finish of a race but Monaco offers them a rare opportunity to do so considering it’s a far less strenuous track and the British team are showing signs of recovery. The ‘McHonda Reliability Meal’ at 3.5 will give good returns if Stoffel Vandoorne and Jenson Button (One time replacement for Fernando Alonso) see the chequered flag.
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