Presentation – Monaco GP: Everyone Wants Prince Charles’s Crown
After a Spanish Grand Prix where his domination was uncontested, Lewis Hamilton expects to struggle with his Mercedes on the streets of the Principality. On Charles Leclerc's home turf, top positions will be hard-fought, and Red Bull hopes to make a strong impression to erase memories of the previous urban race in Azerbaijan.
This is a lot of emotions for me, with this first Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1. I’ve always dreamed of taking part in it and it’s incredible that it’s coming true. I’m happy to have my family and friends here to cheer me on, and I can’t wait to share this special moment with the people of Monaco. Even though I know the city well, it will be a whole new experience driving through the streets of Monaco at the wheel of an F1. I expect to see my birthplace in a new light. This weekend is going to be unforgettable.
It’s been 24 years since a Monegasque has taken the start of their national Grand Prix, so it wouldn’t have been wise to exclude Charles Leclerc from speaking during this presentation. No technical data about the track is present in his remarks, but his enthusiasm as the event approaches is evident.
The grand tour
Ready to paint the town #F1 Pink? We are! It’s time to give the streets of the #MonacoGP a fresh new #Fit4F1 colour! https://t.co/o1y7JHnYEx pic.twitter.com/DEH8EASf8R— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 21 mai 2018
For posterity
The art of celebrating a victory cannot be learned; it is done in the moment. In 2010, Mark Webber soaked his jersey (well, his suit!) with style in a rooftop pool in Monaco. Eight years later, his compatriot Daniel Ricciardo preferred to soak it with a champagne Shoey.
Clarification from the FIA on oil burning
Already under close scrutiny by the FIA for several weeks, Scuderia Ferrari is the subject of doubts regarding the use of oil as fuel in the turbocharger. According to Article 20 of the technical regulations, oil consumption in the engine part cannot exceed 0.6L/100Km.
The teams – led by Mercedes, from whom the request for clarification originated – suspect Ferrari of using a separate oil reserve to supply the turbocharger, which until now was not covered by Article 20, as it was considered an external part of the combustion engine. The FIA has therefore announced that the turbocharger does indeed fall within the scope of the technical regulations, as it is considered an integral part of the engine. The controversy is thus quelled.
Tarmac and mistral
Ready to turn the paddock #Fit4F1 Pink?! #MonacoGP #Hypersoft https://t.co/SSeV9bNkbK pic.twitter.com/nXZ0iVfic8— Pirelli Motorsport (@pirellisport) 15 mai 2018
The big news this weekend is the introduction of the hyper-soft tire, and to say the least, it has unanimous approval. We almost forget that two different compounds must be used in the race because like Red Bull, Renault, and Williams, only one set has been chosen for the ultra-soft and super-soft against eleven for the pink sidewall tire. This extreme choice by the entire lineup could be justified by uncertain weather forecasted for Sunday afternoon during the race. Wait and see!
A lot of clouds but no rain, that is the weather description for Thursday – especially in the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to range between 18 and 22°C for both practice sessions. Winds at 10km/h coming from the sea may disturb drivers in the port section of the track.
For Saturday, expect slightly more degraded weather. Less sunshine and more clouds will increase the risk of rain, with temperatures flirting with 25-26°C.
Sunday afternoon also looks mixed for the race, even though the American team Haas doubts that rain will appear between 3 PM and 5 PM. One thing is certain, clouds will be present in the Monegasque sky, and temperatures will hover around 27-28°C.
The TV program
For the most enthusiastic among you, we specify for Sunday that Canal+ will broadcast starting at 1:45 PM with its show La Grille and TF1 will have some pre-race discussions starting at 2:50 PM.
