Guide to 2023 Monaco Grand Prix as F1 returns from an unexpected three-week break.
Following the cancellation of Emilia Romagna Grand Prix due to flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, F1 resumes the season at the historic glamorous setting of Monaco which is one of Motorsport’s crown jewels.
Red Bull are in comfortable control of the constructors’ standings but are engaged in a fierce fight for the drivers’ title between their two drivers, as Max Verstappen leads Sergio Perez by 14 points after five races.
Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso meanwhile head the best of the rest as the pair look to continue their unexpectedly strong start to the season.
Now here is a guide to everything that you need to know ahead of 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.
Track Guide
Circuit: Circuit de Monaco
Laps: 78
Race Distance: 260.286km
Tyre Selection: C3, C4, C5
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (BST) |
| Friday 26 May | FP1 | 12:30pm |
| Friday 26 May | FP2 | 4:00pm |
| Saturday 27 May | FP3 | 11:30am |
| Saturday 27 May | Qualifying | 3:00pm |
| Sunday 28 May | Race | 2:00pm |
Five Key Pointers
- Given limited overtaking opportunities around Monaco, this race weekend will be mainly about Qualifying which is likely to determine much of the eventual race order.
- With straightline speed less of an issue around this high-downforce, there is potential for a mini shake-up further down the pecking order concerning some teams.
- Following the Emilia Romagna GP cancellation, it will be interesting to see if some teams opt to debut their upgrades here rather than Spanish GP which could shake up the order a bit.
- Given the potential for safety cars at any moment around Monaco, this race should throw open mixed tyre strategies if some drivers are out of position and run longer in hope of safety car periods.
- Possibility of rain showers for Qualifying and Race could create the opportunity for surprise results, especially if heavy which would make the street circuit more slippery than most circuits.
Last Time Out
Last year’s race was delayed 65 minutes due to heavy rain showers during which there were two formation laps attempted, before stewards opted to delay the race start until conditions improved amidst a power failure which prevented standing starts.
Once the race began, Charles Leclerc led from pole position but it was Perez who pitted first on Lap 17 and consequently jumped Leclerc into the lead, from which he proceeded to take victory from Sainz, Verstappen and Leclerc once the latter trio pitted in the following laps.
George Russell jumped Lando Norris to finish fifth whilst Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton finished in seveenth and eighth – where they started, ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Sebastian Vettel who rounded out the top ten.
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