Monaco 2023! Everything You Need To Know...
Updated: May 28
Welcome to the glamorous world of the Monegasque F1 weekend, where adrenaline meets opulence, and speed intertwines with elegance to create the jewel of racing. In the realm of prestigious racing events, few can rival the allure and mystique of the Monaco Grand Prix. Nestled on the enchanting French Riviera, this jewel of the motorsport calendar has captivated both racing enthusiasts and casual spectators since it was first introduced to the calendar.
The Monaco Grand Prix is not just a race; it is a sensory experience that embraces the essence of luxury, history, and pure adrenaline. Unlike traditional circuits purpose-built for racing, the Monaco Grand Prix is a captivating anomaly. It weaves through the narrow and winding streets of Monte Carlo, demanding utmost precision and skill from the drivers as they navigate its unforgiving corners and tight chicanes. With minimal room for error and an abundance of perilous barriers just inches away, the race poses an intense test of bravery and precision.
The home race for Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who will hopefully be loved by his home country this year.
If you want more information on the teams and drivers, you can read all about them here!
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A Track For THE Track: Monaco 2023 Playlist
Monaco Schedule (BST)
Friday 26th May 2023:
Free Practice 1: 12:30-13:30
Free Practice 2: 16:00-17:00
Saturday 27th May 2023:
Free Practice 3: 11:30-12:30
Qualifying: 15:00-16:00
Sunday 28th May 2023:
The Race: 14:00
About The Track
The first GP was held here in the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship in 1950, and has been a consistent destination for the teams since 1955.
The circuit has a DRS zone in Sector 3 just off of Turn 17 and a speed trap in Sector 2 between Turn 9 and 10.
The race will have 78 laps of the 3.337km circuit.
The lap record was set by Lewis Hamilton in 2021 at 1:12.909.
The circuit is famous for its iconic sections, including the renowned Casino Square, the tight hairpin turn at Fairmont Hairpin, the high-speed tunnel section, and the demanding chicane at the Nouvelle Chicane.
Despite being one of the slowest circuits on the Formula 1 calendar, the Monaco Circuit is a true test of precision and concentration. The average speed around the track is relatively low compared to other circuits, due to its tight and twisty nature.
Due to its tight layout, overtaking is notoriously difficult at Monaco. Positioning and strategy during qualifying sessions become crucial, as starting from the front of the grid can significantly impact a driver's chances of success.
Free Practice Updates
Free Practice 1 -
Times by Teams:
Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas: P11. 1:14.718. Completed 29 laps.
Zhou Guanyu: P19. 1:15.684. Completed 25 laps.
AlphaTauri
Yuki Tsunoda: P13. 1:14.820. Completed 29 laps.
Nyck De Vries: P16. 1:15.083. Completed 33 laps.
Alpine
Esteban Ocon: P8. 1:14.585. Completed 29 laps.
Pierre Gasly: P14. 1:14.866. Completed 30 laps.
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso: P2. 1:13.710. Completed 28 laps.
Lance Stroll: P9. 1:14.653. Completed 28 laps.
Ferrari
Carlos Sainz: P1. 1:13.372. Completed 26 laps.
Charles Leclerc: P5. 1:14.093. Completed 24 laps.
Haas
Kevin Magnussen: P12. 1:14.725. Completed 29 laps.
Nico Hulkenberg: P20. 1:15.785. Completed 17 laps.
Hulkenberg brought out the first red flags, having spun out and left some debris on track.
McLaren
Lando Norris: P7. 1:14.467. Completed 25 laps.
Oscar Piastri: P17. 1:15.192. Completed 32 laps.
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton: P3. 1:14.035. Completed 27 laps.
George Russell: P15. 1:15.066. Completed 24 laps.
Red Bull
Max Verstappen: P6. 1:14.038. Completed 27 laps.
Sergio Perez: P4. 1:14.038. Completed 27 laps.
Williams
Alex Albon: P10. 1:14.666. Completed 32 laps.
With 3 minutes until the end of FP1 Alex hits the barriers, out of Sainte Devote, taking out his front and rear left tyres. Albon reported he hit his knees, but was fine apart from that. The session was red flagged for the second time and suspended.
Logan Sargeant: P18. 1:15.557. Completed 30 laps.
Overall Results of FP1:
Position | Driver | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:13.372 |
2 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +0.338 |
3 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.663 |
4 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +0.666 |
5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.721 |
6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.872 |
7 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +1.095 |
8 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +1.213 |
9 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1.281 |
10 | Alex Albon | Williams | +1.294 |
11 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo | +1.346 |
12 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | +1.353 |
13 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | +1.448 |
14 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1.494 |
15 | George Russell | Mercedes | +1.694 |
16 | Nyck De Vries | AlphaTauri | +1.711 |
17 | Oscar Piastri | Mclaren | +1.820 |
18 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | +2.185 |
19 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo | +2.312 |
20 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | +2.413 |
Free Practice 2 -
Times by Teams:
Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas: P8. 1:13.050. Completed 32 laps.
Zhou Guanyu: P13. 1:13.3554. Completed 31 laps.
AlphaTauri
Yuki Tsunoda: P16. 1:13.641. Completed 22 laps.
Nyck De Vries: P17. 1:13.663. Completed 33 laps.
Alpine
Esteban Ocon: P10. 1:13.162. Completed 29 laps.
Pierre Gasly: P9. 1:13.089. Completed 27 laps.
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso: P4. 1:12.682. Completed 31 laps.
Lance Stroll: P11. 1:13.185. Completed 30 laps.
Ferrari
Carlos Sainz: P3. 1:12.569. Completed 22 laps.
Sainz caused a red flag in the second half of the session after hitting the barriers when he was exiting the 'swimming pool' section. The session did resume, but it was unfortunately the end of the session for Carlos.
Charles Leclerc: P2. 1:12.527. Completed 32 laps.
Haas
Kevin Magnussen: P14. 1:13.457. Completed 27 laps.
Nico Hulkenberg: P15. 1:13.520. Completed 32 laps.
McLaren
Lando Norris: P5. 1:12.906. Completed 18 laps.
Oscar Piastri: P18. 1:13.673. Completed 29 laps.
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton: P6. 1:12.960. Completed 28 laps.
George Russell: P12. 1:13.191. Completed 31 laps.
Red Bull
Max Verstappen: P1. 1:12.462. Completed 29 laps.
Sergio Perez: P7. 1:12.991. Completed 29 laps.
Williams
Alex Albon: P19. 1:14.217. Completed 9 laps.
Logan Sargeant: P20. 1:14.238. Completed 32 laps.
Overall Results of FP2:
Position | Driver | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:12.462 |
2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.065 |
3 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +0.107 |
4 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +0.220 |
5 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.444 |
6 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.498 |
7 | Sergio Perez | Red Bul | +0.529 |
8 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo | +0.588 |
9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +0.627 |
10 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +0.800 |
11 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +0.723 |
12 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.729 |
13 | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo | +0.892 |
14 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | +0.995 |
15 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | +1.058 |
16 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | +1.179 |
17 | Nyck De Vries | AlphaTauri | +1.201 |
18 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +1.211 |
19 | Alex Albon | Williams | +1.755 |
20 | Logan Sargeant | Williams | +1.776 |
Free Practice 3 -
Times by Teams:
Alfa Romeo
Valtteri Bottas: P10. 1:13.521. Completed 20 laps.
Zhou Guanyu: P16. 1:13.772. Completed 20 laps.
AlphaTauri
Yuki Tsunoda: P15. 1:13.738. Completed 21 laps.
Nyck De Vries: P20. 1:14.187. Completed 24 laps.
Alpine
Esteban Ocon: P9. 1:13.496. Completed 18 laps.
Pierre Gasly: P6. 1:13.453. Completed 24 laps.
Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso: P14. 1:13.697. Completed 18 laps.
Lance Stroll: P3. 1:12.942. Completed 20 laps.
Ferrari
Carlos Sainz: P4. 1:13.261. Completed 20 laps.
Charles Leclerc: P7. 1:13.475. Completed 19 laps.
Haas
Kevin Magnussen: P12. 1:13.624. Completed 13 laps.
Nico Hulkenberg: P13. 1:13.650. Completed 16 laps.
McLaren
Lando Norris: P5. 1:13.396. Completed 21 laps.
Oscar Piastri: P19. 1:13.998. Completed 18 laps.
Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton: P8. 1:13.486. Completed 17 laps.
George Russell: P11. 1:13.590. Completed 18 laps.
Red Bull
Max Verstappen: P1. 1:12.776. Completed 19 laps.
Sergio Perez: P2. 1:12.849. Completed 24 laps.
Williams
Alex Albon: P18. 1:13.930. Completed 23 laps.
Logan Sargeant: P18. 1:13.851. Completed 19 laps.
Overall Results of FP3:
Position | Driver | Team | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:12.776 |
2 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +0.073 |
3 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +0.166 |
4 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +0.485 |
5 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.620 |
6 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +0.677 |
7 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.699 |
8 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.710 |
9 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +0.720 |
10 | Valtteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo | +0.745 |
11 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.814 |
12 | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | +0.848 |
13 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | +0.874 |
14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin |