The weather gods did not play ball last week with flooding in northern Italy seeing the postponement of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The disappointment will be softened somewhat with petrol heads set to be treated to a cracking Monaco Grand Prix this coming Sunday.
Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday 28 May
Circuit de Monaco
20:00
To Win Race Outright
Max Verstappen 17/20
Sergio Perez 11/4
Previous Race
With the Romagna-Emilia Grand Prix being called off the last racing action we saw came Stateside at the Miami Grand Prix.
Red Bull continued their domination of the season with Max Verstappen first across the line at Miami International Autodrome while Sergio Perez brought his car across the line in second place to claim Red Bulls’ fifth one-two finish of the campaign. They were followed across the line by the renaissance man Fernado Alonso, who took his spot on the final step of the podim for the fourth time this season.
The top six was dominated by the other two big name teams on track with George Russel taking fourth and his Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton, claiming sixth. Sandwiched between the Silver Arrows duo was the Ferrari of Carlos Sainz.
Charles LeClerc ensured Ferrari would claim a respectable points tally as he took seventh place. The Ferrari ace was followed across the line by the twin Alpines of Pierre Gasly (eighth) and Esteban Ocon, while Haas’ Kevin Mugnussen claimed the final points scoring position.
Track
The tightest track on the circuit may not feature many overtaking scenarios but it does throw up some great racing and tests teams’ strategies to the max. The 19 turns are difficult to manoeuvre and drivers will have to have their wits about them.
So which of the 19 turns will provide drivers with an opportunity to get a jump on the man in front of them? Well, they could try the Fairmont Hotel hairpin, which is the tightest hairpin turn on the Formula 1 calendar, but that would more than likely end in retirement for them and their victim. The easier options would be Saint Devote – the first turn on the track – or just after the tunnel into Nouvelle – it’s a tricky move to pull off and requires you to outbrake your opponent in the Nouvelle corner.
It seems the bad weather has moved across from Italy with loads of rain being forecast throughout the race weekend. The heaviest showers are currently being forecast to fall during Saturday’s final qualifying sessions and midway through Sunday’s race.
Last year’s race was won by Sergio Perez while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz claimed second and Max Verstappen rounded out the podium.
Value Bet and To Win Race Outright
I’m going to be having two goes on the outright winner backing both Max Verstappen – my safety bet – and Fernado Alonso – my value bet – for the win.
Verstappen has been the form driver this term and has won three of the five Grand Prix staged in 2023. He hasn’t really shot the lights out in Monaco, however only managing one win in the French principality, which came in 2021.
My more outlandish bet, which is based mainly on value, is Fernado Alonso to take top honours in Monaco. The veteran has been solid this term claiming four third place finishes. He also has a tidy record in Monaco winning at the track in 2006 and 2007. With rain floating about and Alosno being one of the better drivers in the wet, this may well prove to be a very profitable bet.
