Formel 1 – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Großer Preis von Monaco 2024. Lewis Hamilton
Formula One – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, Monaco GP 2024. Lewis Hamilton (Source: Mercedes-Benz Media)
MONACO – Max Verstappen’s thrilling Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix victory at Imola is now in the rearview mirror; Formula 1 now heads to the famed streets of Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix, where the tight confines can produce special moments from multiple drivers, such as Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen, Ayrton Senna and so many other legends of Formula 1.
Racing along the famed streets of Monte Carlo has existed since 1929, even before the World Championship F1 racing was created. The track’s layout has seen minimal changes outside of chicanes in certain sections and ever-increasing safety innovations to keep drivers from falling into the bay on the backside of the circuit. While the track is considered too tight for modern F1, the spectacle makes the Monaco Grand Prix one part of the Motorsports Triple Crown.
Given the circuit’s nature
Charles Leclerc (16) on the streets of Monte Carlo in his Scuderia Ferrari SF-23 ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix (Source: Scuderia Ferrari)
, the technical upgrades brought by teams for Monaco are not the most extensive. Mercedes has bought a new floor to help with the circuit’s high-downforce nature, while the rest of the grid has brought circuit-specific tweaks, be it front and rear wings or suspension changes.
Introduced for this weekend, McLaren has debuted a one-off livery to honor the late Ayrton Senna at the track he practically ruled over, winning five races in a row between 1989 and 1993. To celebrate the late three-time World Champion, McLaren goes from their iconic Papaya to donning the Brazilian flag for Senna. This marks the third year McLaren has changed their livery for Monaco, following the motorsport iconic Gulf livery in 2021 and a Triple Crown livery in 2023.
Teams were ready for the first chance to hit the streets for opening practice to navigate the tight confines and run on the ragged edge of the circuit. While Ferrari, McLaren and Verstappen traded some top times at the top of the session, a familiar team made it to the top of the timing charts, and by the end of the day, Mercedes.
By the time the checkered flag flew to end the session, Hamilton had surprisingly returned to the top of the timing charts as the upgraded Mercedes had found some rhythm between the barriers. His teammate George Russell closely followed him while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri shined with the third quickest time. Lando Norris slotted his McLaren ahead of home driver Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari to round out the top five.
Teams were ready for the day’s second practice session to give themselves more chances to nail down how to tackle the streets the best. Leclerc, seeking his first win at his home track, continued to show impressive pace as he placed his Ferrari at the top of the timing charts, hoping to finally turn his luck around to stand at the top of the podium by the time the Monaco Grand Prix ends.
Hamilton continued his impressive pace as he placed his Mercedes second-quickest while Fernando Alonso, looking to bounce back after a dismal race at Imola the week prior, found himself third quickest by the time the checkered flag flew at the end of the session. Verstappen, following a rather quiet first practice session, found a bit more speed in the second session in the fourth, though knowing that his Red Bull Team has much to do while Norris completed the top five.
Teams now focus on the final practice and the ever-important qualifying rounds to set the grid for the Monaco Grand Prix. With the tight track and minimal opportunities to pass, qualifying could decide drivers’ fate, as a bad time could put them on the back foot for the Grand Prix.
All eyes will be on Leclerc and Hamilton, who hope to continue their pace, while Red Bull hopes to turn the weekend around as it did in Imola the week prior.
