How will Mercedes do at Monaco?

[steveaki13]

Just something to talk about over the coming week until Monaco.

I was wondering what people think will happen at Monaco.

I mean its clear that Mercedes have 0.6-1.0 second advantage over Red Bull and 1.5 over almost everyone else. With that in mind I was thinking about the Monaco GP.

I mean almost any other track Mercedes would still win 1-2 with a 30 second odd gap probably, but as we know Monaco is different.

Mercedes are mighty everywhere corners and Straights but arguably Red Bull are just as good around corner sections and as Monaco is all corners, I was wondering if we could actually seem Mercedes beaten for once.

Vettel and Ricciardo and Red Bull should be good around the streets, but Hamilton & Rosberg are bother winners so wont be rubbish either.

What do people think? Will Mercedes be just as unstoppable in Monaco?

If they are and Red Bull get stuck down the grid, the Mercedes could get close to lapping the field. Without SC though which is pretty unlikely.

[journeyman racer]

I'll take an educated guess, and say one of the Mercs will win. The other will finish second.

[N4D13]

A certain Mark Webber said that he was confident that a Red Bull would win in Monaco but I'm not so sure about that. My money's on the silver arrows for this one.

[steveaki13]

If they win, do you at least think it will be closer?

I mean Monaco surely wont give them such an advantage?

I know its clutching at straws, but I worry if Mercedes win by 40 seconds or more in Monaco that they wont be beaten anywhere.

Although that said we have never seen a team win every race have we? Mclaren won 15 of 16 in 1988, but usually somewhere a strange thing happens and someone else gets a win.

[Mia 01]

I think Kimi will finish on the podium, but, Nico rosberg will win.

[henners88]

I think one of the Mercedes drivers will win. Possibly Hamilton with a better chance as its a track he's got a reasonable record at for speed over one lap. Both Merc drivers are previous race winners too so I think Lewis has the advantage going into this one knowing Nico's cage is a little rattled.

[Storm]

If Merc gets on pole, it will be goodbye everybody else and a snoozefest (and Maldonado crashing)..only if we get some other car on the front row will there be a decent race. Ferrari perhaps as engine power isn't everything at Monaco.

[Tazio]

If they win, do you at least think it will be closer?

I mean Monaco surely wont give them such an advantage?

I know its clutching at straws, but I worry if Mercedes win by 40 seconds or more in Monaco that they wont be beaten anywhere.

Although that said we have never seen a team win every race have we? Mclaren won 15 of 16 in 1988, but usually somewhere a strange thing happens and someone else gets a win.

I will be surprised if it is not closer. I think that RB's chassis will be effective in Monaco, and I think they have a chance. However my money is still on The Boss, unless of course his pit crew repeat their terrible tire changing performance they had in Spain. Those seconds could make a big difference in Monaco where passing is extremely difficult .
The high likelihood of a safety car or two should also make the race closer.

[zako85]

1-2, but with a smaller gap to RedBull ;p

[Koz]

I will be surprised if it is not closer. I think that RB's chassis will be effective in Monaco, and I think they have a chance.

Yes. Ricciardo was closest to the Merc times in S3 in quail, just under a tenth off Lewis' time; otherwise it 4-6 tenths off in S1,2.
I have always found that S3 in Spain is a good indication for Monaco.

I'd also say that Nico will be on pole (or maybe bin it trying too hard).

1-2, but with a smaller gap to RedBull ;p

3 tenths. Maybe less.