On many System 1 race weekends, the matter of which drivers attain the rostrum, or win outright, can come all the way down to the equipment of their fingers.
Within the Monaco Grand Prix, nevertheless, it may come all the way down to their fingers themselves.
All through this week and in Thursday’s FIA Press Conferences, many drivers have outlined how Monaco is a kind of tracks the place the willingness of drivers to push not simply to the boundaries, however in lots of circumstances past them, is what makes the distinction. In Monaco qualifying is essential, given the difficulties in overtaking on the observe, and the drivers who’re prepared to push these limits are the drivers who discover that needed tenth of the second that may imply the distinction from beginning fifth, to beginning first.
Talking on the FIA Press Convention Thursday, Charles Leclerc termed it “danger evaluation.”
“I feel what you will have in Monaco that you’ve possibly somewhat bit much less on different tracks, on different metropolis tracks as properly, is only a danger evaluation,” described Leclerc. “And that’s the place a driver could make a bit extra the distinction by taking extra danger. It both pays off or under no circumstances. However that is one thing that I notably admire from this observe.
“As quickly as you attempt to go a bit extra on the restrict, you immediately see it on the lap time,” added Leclerc. “And clearly coming into Q3, having finished so many laps, you begin to get fairly shut with the partitions. But it surely’s thrilling. I don’t get that feeling anyplace else on the calendar. So I feel danger evaluation is what makes the distinction right here in Monaco.”
Alexander Albon, who certified tenth for the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix whereas driving for Toro Rosso (now Visa Money App RB F1 Staff), concurred with the notion of danger evaluation being key in Monte Carlo.
“I might say that it’s probably not a strain when it comes to evaluating your self to rivals or no matter, however it’s extra simply your self. And it’s sort of this sense of, you understand, how a lot danger are you taking? And that bit is thrilling,” added Albon. “I feel it’s one of many few races, as Charles mentioned, possibly the one race, the place you end a lap and you are feeling such as you’ve put it on the road. In order that’s fairly distinctive.”
Max Verstappen, who certified on pole in Monaco a season in the past with a efficiency in Q3 the place he completely pushed his RB19 to the restrict, referred to as qualifying in Monaco one of many sport’s largest adrenaline thrills.
“Yeah, I do suppose in comparison with like some other road circuit, as a result of it’s so slim, I discover it’s much more difficult. And particularly in qualifying, you’ll be able to really feel like your coronary heart price, you understand, simply the adrenaline rush you get round right here,” described Verstappen.
“[Monaco] is one thing else,” continued the Purple Bull driver. “I imply, yeah, I’m not a fan of road circuits, however for certain in qualifying right here, you understand, the eye to element. Yeah, it’s loopy. And yeah, that undoubtedly makes it very particular.”
One of many drivers who put Verstappen beneath strain for pole right here a season in the past? Esteban Ocon, who certified — and completed — third in Monaco in 2023. The Alpine driver described his thunderous Q3 lap, including extra weight to the concept Saturday may come all the way down to the motive force within the field.
Significantly on Saturday, which is the ballgame in Monaco.
“Effectively, it was as a result of I touched the wall twice! However, you understand, yeah, as Charles mentioned, I feel that’s very thrilling. You understand, when you begin to really feel that you’re placing an excellent lap collectively, there’s no feeling prefer it,” recalled Ocon. “And what’s aggravating, I might say, is, you understand, in Saturday, having a very powerful a part of the weekend, it’s often 80% of your weekend, however there it’s in all probability 99%.
“And that’s what makes it extra aggravating, the Saturdays, in comparison with a standard weekend.”
