On many Formulation 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 arms.
Within the Monaco Grand Prix, nevertheless, it may come all the way down to their arms themselves.
All through this week and in Thursday’s FIA Press Conferences, many drivers have outlined how Monaco is a type of tracks the place the willingness of drivers to push not simply to the bounds, 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 crucial 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 “threat evaluation.”
“I believe what you may have in Monaco that you’ve possibly a little bit bit much less on different tracks, on different metropolis tracks as effectively, is only a threat evaluation,” described Leclerc. “And that’s the place a driver could make a bit extra the distinction by taking extra threat. It both pays off or in no way. However that is one thing that I notably respect 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 completed so many laps, you begin to get fairly shut with the partitions. But it surely’s thrilling. I don’t get that feeling wherever else on the calendar. So I believe threat 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 Crew), concurred with the notion of threat 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, , how a lot threat are you taking? And that bit is thrilling,” added Albon. “I believe it’s one of many few races, as Charles stated, 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, known as qualifying in Monaco one of many sport’s greatest adrenaline thrills.
“Yeah, I do assume in comparison with like every other road circuit, as a result of it’s so slim, I discover it’s much more difficult. And particularly in qualifying, you possibly can really feel like your coronary heart price, , simply the adrenaline rush you get round right here,” described Verstappen.
“[Monaco] is one thing else,” continued the Crimson Bull driver. “I imply, yeah, I’m not a fan of road circuits, however for certain in qualifying right here, , 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 that Saturday may come all the way down to the driving force within the field.
Notably on Saturday, which is the ballgame in Monaco.
“Properly, it was as a result of I touched the wall twice! However, , yeah, as Charles stated, I believe that’s very thrilling. You realize, 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 irritating, I might say, is, , in Saturday, having crucial a part of the weekend, it’s normally 80% of your weekend, however there it’s most likely 99%.
“And that’s what makes it extra irritating, the Saturdays, in comparison with a traditional weekend.”