Monaco GP 2023: Sky Sports F1 pundits predict 4-group battle for pole and Fernando Alonso to finish win drought | F1 News

Will Red Bull’s one hundred per cent win record in 2023 come to an finish at the Monaco GP? Sky Sports F1’s Simon Lazenby thinks 4 teams are in contention for pole position on Saturday Ted Kravitz ideas Fernando Alonso for win on Sunday Watch the Monaco GP reside on Sky Sports F1

six:04, UK, Friday 26 Could 2023

The Monaco GP this weekend appears set to have the 1st 4-group battle at the front of the 2023 season, according to the Sky Sports F1 pundits.

Red Bull have dominated the year so far, winning all 5 grands prix plus the Baku Sprint, but Formula 1’s arrival in Monte Carlo could see that about to adjust.

The exclusive qualities of the historic Circuit de Monaco’s narrow streets can see the type book go out the window, and this year could be no unique as Red Bull’s straight-line speed benefit is somewhat negated although Aston Martin and Ferrari can capitalise on their strength in slow-speed corners.

Mercedes will also arrive in Monaco with their major upgrade package for the 1st time, following the cancellation of the Emilia Romagna GP, which they hope will place them back in race-winning contention and adds much more intrigue to the weekend.

Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater assesses the effect that Mercedes’ new upgrades could have, as the 1st images emerge of their revamped automobile

With Saturday’s qualifying session arguably the most vital of the year, Sky Sports F1’s Simon Lazenby feels the battle to claim pole position will be closer than ever.

“I consider there are 4 teams in it,” he mentioned on the newest edition of the Sky Sports F1 Podcast.

“If we take Monaco to be, let’s face it, all about Saturday these days. Issues can come about in the race – perhaps we’ll get some rain or some thing will come about clever strategically or strategic failures – but I consider there are potentially 4 teams in it on Saturday about these streets.

“Mercedes have struggled in a straight line but they appear to be OK in the slower-speed corners and this is of course a higher-downforce track.

“Ferrari’s troubles have not been about rotation, it really is been rear instability in higher-speed corners.

“Aston Martin know they are powerful in low and medium-speed corners and once again not in a straight line.

“And the RB19 is going to be powerful.

“I adore qualifying Saturday, it really is one particular of my favourite days of the year, for the reason that you just know that all the things is geared towards it.”

Max Verstappen believes this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix is the hardest race to win in his Red Bull for the reason that of the qualities of the circuit

Monaco’s quick lap – at just three.337km lengthy – could also exacerbate one particular of the extremely handful of weaknesses Red Bull’s RB19 has in that it struggles to get its tyres up to functioning temperature to optimise one particular-lap efficiency.

Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz also expects Red Bull to come below much more stress this weekend.

“Arguably Red Bull lost out from not getting Imola for the reason that now they are going to Monaco and they are faced with the Fernando Alonso threat,” Kravitz mentioned.

“He is effectively motivated and yes Aston Martin are going to need to have all the things to go completely for them in Monaco in order to beat Red Bull for the reason that the RB19 will nonetheless be a superior automobile in Monaco.

“And then you have got the Mercedes upgrades which they are bringing to Monaco. Every person says you will be crazy to bring upgrades to Monaco but a) they never have any selection for the reason that they’ve currently redone the automobile with all the radiators and all the things and b) you nonetheless need to have a superior automobile about Monaco!”

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

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

Following choosing up 4 podiums in his opening 5 races for Aston Martin, Alonso has named Monaco as one particular of the tracks he can choose up a win this year.

The Spaniard has been stuck on 32 wins due to the fact the 2013 Spanish GP and Kravitz is tipping the two-time globe champion to finish that drought.

“I am going with the 33rd win for Fernando Alonso. I am going to get aboard the hype train,” Kravitz mentioned.

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

“I know he’s invested a lot into it, it really is a bit of a draggy automobile but it really is got wonderful tyre efficiency and he’s such a clever guy who knows how to win about Monaco. I know Max does and I know Lewis does, but I just consider it really is the outcome he’s immediately after and I consider it really is sort of the outcome Formula 1 requirements immediately after Imola.”

Nevertheless, championship leader Max Verstappen has added incentive to win in Monaco once again immediately after the events of 12 months ago.

It was Sergio Perez’s qualifying crash in Monaco that allegedly sowed the seeds of a rift among the Red Bull group-mates in the course of the latter stages of 2022. Perez crashed at Portier on his final lap in qualifying which denied Verstappen the likelihood of beating Charles Leclerc’s pole time as the Red Bulls lined up third and fourth on the grid. Perez would win a wet-dry race on the Sunday although Verstappen would finish third behind Carlos Sainz.

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

Verstappen would then refuse a group order to let Perez previous at the Brazilian GP, citing an incident among the pair earlier in the season as his explanation for undertaking so.

Lazenby mentioned: “It is all been smiles among the Red Bull pairing this year contemplating how it completed final year but let’s not neglect how it began. It began in Monaco with Perez’s tiny ‘park’.”

“That is the other explanation why Verstappen desires to win and why I am entirely incorrect on Alonso winning Monaco,” Kravitz continued.

“Verstappen will want to win Monaco for the reason that of the disappointment of final year.”

Appear back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken location at the Monaco Grand Prix

Sky Sports F1’s reside Monaco GP schedule

Friday Could 26
ten.05am: F3 Qualifying
12pm: Monaco GP Practice 1 (session begins 12.30pm)
two.05pm: F2 Qualifying
three.45pm: Monaco GP Practice Two (session begins 4pm)
five.30pm: The F1 Show: Monaco

Saturday Could 27
9.55am: F3 Sprint
11.15am: Monaco GP Practice 3 (session begins 11.30am)
1.30pm: F2 Sprint
two:30pm: Monaco GP Qualifying create-up
3pm: Monaco GP Qualifying
four.45pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook

Sunday Could 28
7.15am: F3 Function Race
eight.45am: F2 Function Race
12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Monaco GP create-up
2pm: THE MONACO GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag Monaco GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
five.30pm: The 107th Indy 500

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