Offering a tight, unique challenge, the narrow streets of Monaco make it one of the most technically difficult and shortest races on the calendar. With little opportunity for overtaking, Monaco can be decided in qualifying, so Team Principals need to bring the right strategy to the starting line.
At lap 54 in Monaco, the threat of rain has the teams anxiously checking their weather radars. Alonso chases Verstappen for the lead, the Spaniard on hard tyres and the Dutchman on worn mediums. Both drivers need to make a pit stop, but, with rain on the horizon, timing will be crucial.
Suggested car setup for Circuit de Monaco:
- Low speed cornering is crucial
- Focusing on medium speed cornering is also recommended
- Downforce circuit
With its narrow streets and tight turns, there’s not much room for overtaking at Monaco, putting even greater emphasis on high placement in qualifying.
- Switch to fresh soft tyres with each attempt in qualifying; fractions of a second can get you a higher placement on the starting grid.
- Cars that corner well at low and medium speeds have a significant advantage at Monaco, as there is little opportunity to reach top speed.
- You will likely only stop once, so opening on soft tyres and driving aggressively gives the best chance to secure overtakes while drivers are bunched up.