Can Charles Leclerc Overtake Max Verstappen at the F1 Monaco Grand Prix?
Formula 1 returns to one of its most famous races – the Monaco Grand Prix – after the unfortunate cancellation of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with a crucial qualifying session to be held this afternoon.
F1 was forced to cancel the Imola race weekend due to adverse weather and flooding in the region, with the event at this stage unlikely to be rescheduled amid the congested 2023 calendar. Yet teams and drivers will now turn their attention to the tight twists and turns of the world-renowned Circuit de Monaco for the next round of the season.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez won last year’s race in wet conditions, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in second and Max Verstappen third. Hometown favourite Charles Leclerc has never been on the podium at his home race, while Mercedes will be eyeing improvements as they introduce upgrades to Lewis Hamilton’s and George Russell’s cars.
Carlos Sainz was quickest in first practice on Friday with Max Verstappen top of the timesheets in FP2. Lewis Hamiton crashed at the end of FP3 on Saturday, with Verstappen again quickest.
Follow the Monaco Grand Prix live with The Independent – qualifying is at 3pm (BST).
F1 QUALIFYING – MONACO GRAND PRIX
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Martin Brundle the star of the show
This was a heartwarming moment on Sky’s coverage just after FP3!
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 14:29
Lewis Hamilton crashes in new Mercedes at Monaco Grand Prix practice
The Mercedes driver, in the cockpit of a revamped W14 this weekend, had just set the fastest first sector of the session before a mistake.
Hamilton could not avoid the wall at turn 6, with his car completely wedged in the wall. The session, with less than five minutes to go, did not resume.
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 14:22
Constructors’ Championship ahead of Monaco
2) Aston Martin – 102 points
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 14:08
Lewis Hamilton has shut the door on Ferrari – will he come to regret it?
Comment by Kieran Jackson
In fact, Hamilton went further, revealing his representatives are “almost there” in agreeing a new deal with Mercedes. The 38-year-old’s current contract with the Silver Arrows – where he has won six of his seven world titles since joining in an inspired decision a decade ago – expires at the end of this season. Despite the wait, the noise from both the Brit and team boss Toto Wolff has been that an extension is a simple inevitability. Not a case of if, but when.
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 13:58
Ferrari boss gives Lewis Hamilton update after reports of shock move
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has denied reports that his team have put in an offer to bring Lewis Hamilton to the team next season.
A report this week stated Hamilton has received a £40m-a-year deal to join the Scuderia from 2024, with his Mercedes contract expiring at the end of the season.
Yet Vasseur, speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, firmly rebuked the report.
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 13:49
Monaco Grand Prix offers best chance yet of end to Red Bull supremacy
Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson
The crown jewel. That’s the accompanying slogan alongside the Monaco Grand Prix: a Formula 1 staple-event identified with the sort-of glitz and glamour we saw last time out in Miami. And will see again in Las Vegas in November. F1’s obsession with the US has given the principality a direct rival or two stateside, to the extent that its long-term viability in the sport if far from a certainty, given the difficulty of overtaking at the track.
But that’s for another day. For now, the famed twists and turns on the shores of the French Riviera still offer the most unique of challenges for the 20 drivers as they return to action for the first time in three weeks. And that distinctiveness should, in theory, give Red Bull their toughest task yet in 2023.
Christian Horner’s team have won all five races so far this season; six if you include the sprint in Azerbaijan. At a canter, too. Yet for a car which reigns supreme on long-straights and in high-speed corners comes a track with few long-straights and a series of low-speed corners.
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 13:29
Lewis Hamilton’s car lifted from the scene of the crash!
This was borderline scary!
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 13:13
Lewis Hamilton crashes in new Mercedes at Monaco Grand Prix practice
The Mercedes driver, in the cockpit of a revamped W14 this weekend, had just set the fastest first sector of the session before a mistake.
Hamilton could not avoid the wall at turn 6, with his car completely wedged in the wall. The session, with less than five minutes to go, did not resume.
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 12:58
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 12:44
Session will not be resumed!
With just three minutes left, FP3 will not resume!
Hamilton, incidentally, was quickest in the first sector out of anyone before that hit!
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson27 May 2023 12:30