2023 Formula 1 Preview & Review.

[Fortitude]

Ted Kravitz mocks Ferrari over £40m Lewis Hamilton offer as Sky F1 pundits in agreement.
Ted Kravitz sneered at the "low-ball offer" reportedly made by Ferrari in an attempt to convince Lewis Hamilton to join.
07:00, 24 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer

"They are after the best and the biggest in Formula 1 at the moment as they seek to rebuild so it shouldn't be a surprise if they offer Lewis Hamilton everything. If it was £80m that John Elkann had said then that would get people's attention. I don't think he's likely to go, maybe if he wins the elusive eighth at Mercedes once they get the car right eventually then potentially he might go and see if he can win another one with Ferrari but he may be into his 40s by then."

Not only that, but the Sky Sports pit lane reporter feels the Scuderia has adopted something of a scattergun approach to recruitment of late. "Firstly, I think the £40m offer is a bit of a low-ball offer for Lewis Hamilton," he said on the latest episode of the Sky F1 podcast.

"Number two, I think Ferrari are offering everybody a job for anything at the moment. Everyone is on Ferrari's shopping list because Fred Vasseur says he is going to put together a crack team of amazing people around Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc to make them realise this is incredible. They offered Adrian Newey a job with big money!

‘Sneered at the "low-ball offer"!’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...zenby-30060092


Lewis Hamilton has already been told F1 'needs' him at Ferrari so he can copy Schumacher
Lewis Hamilton has been linked with a move to Ferrari this week and some prominent faces in the paddock have already called on him to follow in Michael Schumacher's footsteps.
06:40, Wed, May 24, 2023
By Andrew McLean
Daily and Sunday Express

Lewis Hamilton has already been told to join Ferrari by Formula 1 team boss turned pundit Eddie Jordan with the Irishman suggesting the sport needs him to follow in the footsteps of Michael Schumacher. Jordan is not the only person to encourage the seven-time world champion to join the Scuderia either with the move likely to be popular with F1 fans.

Jordan has previously stated that the partnership would be a match made in heaven as he urged Hamilton to make the move for his final years in the sport. “There’s only one place he could go to in my opinion and that is Ferrari,” he told Express Sport in an exclusive interview last month.

“A guy with the talent that he is, and I think it might be a [match made] in heaven. I think Ferrari needs shaking up and I think Lewis Hamilton needs shaking up if they are going to continue.

‘Follow in the footsteps of Michael Schumacher’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...ael-Schumacher


Money powering Hamilton-Ferrari rumours – Marko
24th May 2023, 07:29
ANDREW MAITLAND
Grandpx.news

Rumours suggesting Lewis Hamilton could switch to Ferrari may be powered by the money, according to key rival Red Bull’s top Austrian official Dr Helmut Marko. The speculation of contact between the seven time world champion and Ferrari president John Elkann was clearly the top story in Formula 1 on Tuesday.

“I think it’s just a rumour,” former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher told Sky Deutschland. “Hamilton is very happy where he is right now,” he added, referring to Mercedes. “And even Ferrari is a bigger question mark at the moment.”

Red Bull’s Marko agrees – and he thinks he knows what is powering the Ferrari rumours. “There are two things that really annoy Hamilton,” he told f1-insider.com. “First, that he is no longer world champion and will find it difficult to win it again in the future. He knows there is no place for him at Red Bull,” Marko added. “And whether Ferrari will be better for him on the sporting side is not set in stone.”

‘Money powering Hamilton-Ferrari rumours’;

https://grandpx.news/money-powering-...rumours-marko/


Hamilton to Ferrari? Intriguing, but don’t bank on it
Toto Wolff said in March he wouldn’t mind if the British F1 star ‘looked elsewhere’
Last Edited May 23, 2023 | 11:00 PM
Gulf Times

Lewis Hamilton is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the Formula One season and, inevitably, speculation that the seven-times world champion could move to Ferrari is again picking up speed. There are also a number of reasons why certain parties might want to give the rumour mill an extra shove with this weekend’s showcase Monaco Grand Prix looming.

A move for Hamilton would be a timely reminder from Ferrari that they are not sitting still, although Sainz would not be impressed. Hamilton needs a winning car to challenge for a record eighth title and the coming races will be crucial in helping him assess whether Mercedes can provide it, or whether to have a last shot at somewhere else.

‘Intriguing, but don’t bank on it’;

https://www.gulf-times.com/article/6...ont-bank-on-it


Hamilton replacement SORTED says Mercedes driver development chief
Tuesday 23 May 2023 17:58
Jay Winter
GPFans

Mercedes' head of F1 driver development believes the Silver Arrows already have Lewis Hamilton's replacement as the team's leader among their ranks. Gwen Lagrue expressed his utmost confidence in Mercedes driver George Russell as the rightful successor to their seven-time world champion – whether he departs to Ferrari, as recent reports suggest, or eventually when he retires from the sport or leaves Mercedes.

In an interview with Autohebdo, Lagrue sang Russell's praises for making the best of the hardware he's had despite Mercedes' stuttering progress since the 2022 regulations switch. Does he have what it takes to claim leadership of the team, though?

“You always know that when you have the car to win, not before,” he said. “Nevertheless, what I have observed is that each time he has had a window of opportunity, he has managed to do something transformative. "That's very reassuring. If we are able to give him the car, he will do the right thing."

‘Hamilton replacement SORTED’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...-f1-successor/


Mercedes tipped to have new Lewis Hamilton 'insurance policy' amid Ferrari speculation
Mercedes could face competition from Ferrari for Lewis Hamilton according to reports released this week.
06:21, Wed, May 24, 2023
By Andrew McLean

Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz has suggested that Charles Leclerc could be Mercedes' ‘insurance policy’ for Lewis Hamilton should the seven-time champion decide to leave or retire before the team are ready. The 38-year-old has been linked with a move to Ferrari this week with the Scuderia reportedly keen to pair him with Leclerc however the Silver Arrows may try to take him the other way if they lose Hamilton.

“Mercedes need an insurance policy if Lewis decides to either stop or leave. Kravitz said on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast. “At this moment that policy looks like Charles Leclerc while they wait for their juniors.” For his part, Leclerc has admitted he has not held any talks with Mercedes over a potential move but did not rule anything out in the future.

'Insurance policy';

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...harles-Leclerc

[Fortitude]

Mercedes and Toto Wolff finally listen to Martin Brundle a year later ahead of Monaco GP.
The Sky Sports F1 host urged Mercedes to axe their concept after struggling in the first few races of 2022.
12:02, Wed, May 24, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express

He stressed the constructor may be forced into a “redesign” if they wanted to catch Red Bull and return to the front. Brundle said: “There must be a point coming soon when they have to accept this car and concept doesn’t work and have a redesign for the second half of the season.”

It's a really difficult situation Mercedes find themselves in. The next race or two, starting here, is critical for them solving the problem. Can they understand it? Can they fix it?” Mercedes battled through with the difficult design last year and had little success with many believing they should ditch the model for 2023.

However, George Russell picked up a stunning win at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix which left Mercedes with a difficult decision. They stuck by their existing concept for 2023 believing they had finally solved the biggest issues. Lewis Hamilton has since suggested there was a dispute over the team’s direction with the seven-time champion apparently in disagreement.

‘They stuck by their existing concept’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...aco-grand-prix


Mercedes finally abandon 'zeropod' F1 car design as Toto Wolff makes Monaco GP prediction.
Mercedes have persisted with their unique aero package ever since it debuted at the start of the 2022 season but, with the gap to Red Bull still huge, that is set to change.
16:49, 24 May 2023
By Daniel Moxon F1 Writer
The Mirror

Mercedes will run a new aerodynamic package at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix which signals the end of the team's failed 'zeropod' experiment.

While the new aero design has not officially been seen in public, some close-up images have been leaked on social media. Mercedes will have "an opportunity to learn about the upgrades" this weekend, said team boss Toto Wolff – though he admitted this Monaco track is not the ideal place to introduce such big changes.

"We need to be careful not to draw too many conclusions from this one event," said the Austrian. "We are introducing the first step in a new development direction. It won't be a silver bullet – from my experience, they do not exist in our sport. We hope that it gives the drivers a more stable and predictable platform. Then we can build on that in the weeks and months ahead.”

‘Finally abandon 'zeropod'!’;

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formu...wolff-30067777


The ex-Red Bull employee bringing a ‘very strong edge’ to Mercedes
22 May 2023 9:00 AM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Mercedes did sign at least one other Red Bull team member, and it’s one Wolff believes could be a game-changer as his teams looks to regain lost glory. Former Red Bull chief operating officer Poole joined Mercedes in the build-up to this year’s championship, signed as a special advisor with the aim of analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the current organisation.

“Jayne is a person that I admired over the last 10 years, that I got to know 10 years ago, and I always had a very respectful relationship with,” said Wolff in an interview with Motorsport.com. “She worked for the competitor, but you can respect people working for a competitor and acknowledge their performance.”

“Her role at Red Bull was, in my opinion, a very large part of the success of the team over the last years. That relationship came to an end, like many relationships come to a natural end. I wanted to hire Jayne for a long time, but it was just never an option. And then it became now.”

‘Ex-Red Bull employee’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/red-bu...mercedes-edge/


Mercedes’ Toto Wolff: “We are introducing the first step in a new development direction”
May 24, 2023
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag

Toto Wolff says the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team will continue its push to improve its W14 this weekend during the Monaco Grand Prix despite having lost the opportunity to run its upgraded package due to the cancellation of last weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

“Following the cancellation of the race in Imola, our thoughts are still with the people of the Emilia-Romagna region that have been affected by the terrible flooding,” said Wolff. “We have been saddened by the images but inspired by the rescue work of the emergency services and the resilience shown by the communities. We look forward to returning to Imola in happier circumstances next year.”

“The revised calendar means that Monaco is now the starting point of the European leg of the season. It is a unique event but will still provide an opportunity to learn about the upgrades to W14 – but we also need to be careful not to draw too many conclusions from this one event. We are introducing the first step in a new development direction.”

“New development direction”;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ent-direction/


TOTO WOLFF HITS BACK AT LATEST HAMILTON TO FERRARI RUMOURS
The speculation surrounding a Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton swap is not going away. The latest rumours allege that Ferrari is about to make a £40 million bid for the seven-time world champion
May 23, 2023
Rhiannon Temporal
FormulaNerds

Throughout the 2023 Formula One season, speculation surrounding the future of Lewis Hamilton has been a hot topic. While it is highly likely that the seven-time world champion will stay with Mercedes, there has been near-constant talk about the Brit moving to Ferrari. Although Hamilton and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff have shut down these rumours on multiple occasions, they have still lingered.

Recently, however, Wolff has seemed to indicate that Hamilton’s contract renewal may not be on the cards after all. Speculation has hotted up again with rumours of Ferrari offering Hamilton £40 million to join the Scuderia. But the Mercedes boss has stepped in to put the rumours to rest.

Whilst speaking to oe24, Wolff opened up about the speculation surrounding Hamilton leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari. He said: “There rumours come up every two years when we have to sign a new contract. But none of this is true. We discuss normally, without any time pressure.”

‘The speculation surrounding a Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton swap is not going away’;

https://www.formulanerds.com/news/to.../?nowprocket=1


Ferrari making ‘no comment’ on Lewis Hamilton rumours
Lewis Hamilton has previously told the media that he plans to stay at Mercedes for many more years.
24 May 2023
by Nick Golding
Formula1News

Despite Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff having labelled the recent rumours linking Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari as “not true”, Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater has revealed that a move for the seven-time World Champion is “under consideration” by the Italians.

Slater revealed that whilst an offer hasn’t yet been sent to Hamilton, Ferrari are potentially on the cusp of making one, with the side not preparing to comment on the situation, something which could say a lot in itself. “What I can say is there is something in this from Ferrari,” said Slater on Sky Sports News.

“So as I understand it, the official line from Ferrari to me when I’ve contacted them is no comment to make on this, which in itself is a bit brisk, but other sources in Italy have told me that a move or an approach for Hamilton is under consideration.”

‘Sources in Italy’;

https://formula1news.co.uk/ferrari-m...ilton-rumours/

[Fortitude]

Monaco Grand Prix: Five key storylines to follow.
Perez to take battle to Verstappen on another street track. Aston Martin eye glory. Mercedes' delayed upgrades get first look. Leclerc under pressure? Qualifying to carry added importance.
24 May 7:00PM
Author Ewan Gale
RacingNews365

Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, RacingNews365.com takes a look at five storylines to follow across the event. Perez to take battle to Verstappen on another street track: Sergio Perez has pinned his name to the mast as F1's street track specialist, though this claim has been brought into dispute after Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen's dominant ninth-to-first victory in Miami last time out.

Aston Martin eye glory: Aston Martin will ride a wave of delight entering the weekend given the coup in securing a works partnership with Honda for F1's new power unit regulatory era beginning in 2026. Mercedes' delayed upgrades get first look: Mercedes' long-awaited upgrade package was supposed to have debuted at Imola last weekend only for the tragic flooding in Emilia Romagna to force the race's cancellation.

Leclerc under pressure? Before the Aston Martin and Honda announcement stole the limelight, rumours of a Ferrari move for Hamilton were again in circulation. Qualifying to carry added importance: A lot has been made about the racing spectacle at the Monaco Grand Prix in modern F1, with the longer, wider cars preventing overtaking action.

‘Five key storylines’;

https://racingnews365.com/monaco-gra...ines-to-follow


THIS WEEK IN F1: 10 quiz questions on the latest F1 news ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix
24 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

This week the Formula 1 circus is descending on the tiny Mediterranean principality of Monaco for one of the most historic races around - the Monaco Grand Prix.

How much do you know about this showpiece event? And have you been keeping an eye on all the other F1 news that's been happening over the past week? Hit go in the quiz below to test your skills – and don't forget to share your score with your friends...

‘10 quiz questions’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...I7UmSuHod.html


Haas’ Günther Steiner anticipates tough qualifying in Monaco: “Sometimes you get it right, but sometimes you get it wrong”
May 24, 2023
By Ashley Cline
The Checkered Flag

The FIA Formula 1 World Championship now moves onto the next round, the Monaco Grand Prix. When asked what the event represents for him, Steiner said that is an “important” venue due to its history and extravagance.

“Monaco to all of us means mixing glamour with racing. It’s an event which has been there a long time, a lot of people go there and a lot of people dream to go there one day because it’s an outstanding location and an important one for Formula 1. We always go there being prepared for a lot of activities to show what the sport is about. In Monaco, we all put a lot of effort into the free practice sessions and on to qualifying because it’s important to qualify well.”

“Overtaking isn’t impossible but it’s very, very difficult. You put the biggest effort into it and the drivers focus on it. Communication is like always – trying to communicate to drivers when there is traffic because if you’re on a hot lap and you find traffic, you’re in a mess. It’s very important to keep on top of it and to keep drivers as calm as possible. Already the stress of it is enough in Monaco because it’s high-speed through a lot of tight walls.”

‘Anticipates tough qualifying’;

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...-get-it-wrong/


Brown explains McLaren car’s fluctuations in form ahead of Monaco after Miami GP ‘sucked’
24 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

McLaren CEO Zak Brown says the team’s point-less outing in Miami “sucked” but is optimistic that their performance in Monaco and the races that follow will improve, believing they will have “a strong second half of the year”. “I think we will go alright in Monaco; we obviously came to the table with an underdeveloped car at the start of the year.”

“We knew that we called our shot, and it turned out we knew we weren’t going to be where we want to be. “But the exciting part is we think we are going to get a lot better. For Monaco, not a lot of development, so I think it is going to be more the second half of the year.”

“But we’ve run well at Monaco, and we think it’s a track that suits our car more than Miami. So, I think we should be okay, but it’s very tight through the field. So, you only need to be off by a tenth or two to be right towards the front, or right towards the back.”

‘McLaren car’s fluctuations in form’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...GdW5RMB2M.html


Ferrari star shoots down injury rumours after image sends scare through F1 world
May 25th, 2023 1:28 pm
Matthew Sullivan from News.com.au
Fox Sports (Australia)

Carlos Sainz has dispelled rumours he is in doubt for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix after he reportedly injured himself during a charity football match. The Ferrari driver was one of several of F1 stars involved in the match this week at Monaco’s Stade Louis II along with teammate Charles Leclerc and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.

But an image of Sainz sitting on the bench getting strapping applied to his right leg with a concerned look on his face sent a scare through F1 fans. Sainz went off the field in the second half and was seen receiving treatment on his leg.

After last year’s charity game, he was also seen putting ice on his ankle but didn’t miss the following race. But it appears the F1 world can breathe easy after the Spaniard said he simply sustained a minor knock in the game, describing it as “a contact”.

‘Ferrari star shoots down injury rumours’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...6bbfd54660035c


F1 street king Perez fearful of 'TRICKY' Monaco Grand Prix
Wednesday 24 May 2023
Dan McCarthy
GPFans

Sergio Perez says this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix may be slightly awkward due to potentially inclement weather conditions. Despite being bestowed as the "king" of the street circuit, Perez admits the weather conditions, which have been forecasted by some to be wet, will make the race awkward.

The Mexican, who won last year's rain-affected race in Monaco, said: "The weather could be tricky again here, which means we have to maximise every moment we get in the car. It’s important we get our set up right and qualifying goes well to have any chance of winning on Sunday."

'TRICKY Monaco Grand Prix’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...co-grand-prix/

[Fortitude]

Alonso senses an opportunity on the streets of Monaco.
Fernando Alonso sensing a chance to end dominant Red Bull’s run of success at the most glamorous and historic of street circuits.
May 24, 2023 | 11:19 PM
Reuters Monaco
Gulf Times

Aston Martin’s Alonso, winner in Monaco with Renault and McLaren in 2006 and 2007, will be ready for any opportunity that comes his way after securing four third places so far in 2023.

“We seem to have a car that is maybe not the fastest on the straights. We need to improve that, but we are very good on the corners,” he told Sky Sports television when asked where he might win.

“I would say that the slowest speeds of the championship, let’s say Monaco, Budapest, Singapore; these kind of circuits, I think we put our main hopes at the moment.”

‘EL PLAN: Senses an opportunity’;

https://www.gulf-times.com/article/6...eets-of-monaco


Alonso sees an opportunity on the streets of Monaco
Favourites Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have between them won all five races so far this season
24 MAY 2023 - 17:51
ALAN BALDWIN
Financial Mail

London — Monaco kicks off Formula One’s flood-delayed European season on Sunday with Fernando Alonso sensing a chance to end dominant Red Bull’s run of success at the most glamorous and historic of street circuits.

‘EL PLAN: Sees an opportunity’;

https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/sp...ets-of-monaco/


Fernando Alonso eyeing chance to end Red Bull winning streak
25th May 2023, 10:02
The Straits Times

MONTE CARLO – Fernando Alonso will seek to break Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s winning streak and claim his first win since 2013, as Formula One resumes this weekend with the 80th running of the classic Monaco Grand Prix.

After four third-place finishes from five races, the 41-year-old has emerged as not only the biggest threat to two-time world champion Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez, but also this season’s box-office attraction, a wily wolf with unrivalled experience.

“We have a car that maybe isn’t the fastest on the straights, but very good in the corners,” Alonso explained, with a flash of his customary mischievous grin. “So we need to improve that – but it is good for the circuits that are slower like Monaco and Budapest and Singapore, these kind of circuits. I think (that is where) we put our main hopes at the moment.”

‘EL PLAN: Wily wolf with unrivalled experience’;

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/f...winning-streak


Alonso ‘a big motivation ball’ – Aston Martin owner Stroll
Wednesday 24th May, 2023 - 7:35am
By Ian Parkes
Speedcafe

Fernando Alonso has been described as “a big motivation ball” by Lawrence Stroll following the two-time F1 champion’s arrival at Aston Martin. “It was never an ambition (to sign Alonso) until we decided to part ways with Sebastian, and then it was very apparent to me Fernando was the driver I wanted,” said Stroll, speaking to this writer in an interview for The New York Times.

“Actually, there wasn’t even a second choice. Should have been, I guess, in hindsight, but I was then quite determined to get Fernando, for several reasons. His talent – he is clearly one of the greatest drivers to ever be in Formula 1; his motivation, for whatever reason, has never been higher.”

“We stayed in contact. When I spoke to him, he said, ‘Listen, I can bring something to this team in my last few years I’m going to drive and hopefully have some sort of role within Aston Martin for many years to come after when I stop driving’. “When he said that, I did not need a lot of convincing.”

‘EL PLAN: A big motivation ball’;

https://www.speedcafe.com/2023/05/24...wrence-stroll/


David Coulthard: Why Fernando Alonso has been stronger in his 40s than Michael Schumacher
15:03 Sat, 20 May 2023.
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport

David Coulthard has examined why Fernando Alonso is performing better in his 40s than Michael Schumacher did in F1. Michael Schumacher, of course, drove in F1 in his 40s but had a few years away from racing before his comeback and his results were not quite up to where he wanted them to be.

Had he been in F1, or another category, between his exit at the end of 2006 and comeback at the start of 2010, though, he may well have been able to produce similar displays to how Alonso is now. Clearly, that is what Coulthard thinks with him telling the Formula For Success podcast:

“When Alonso stepped away from F1 the first time, he went straight into sports cars, IndyCar, he did the Dakar, he’s got a kart track and you see him out testing his karts at his facility in Spain. There’s the expression, ‘don’t let the old man in.’ If you let the old man or the old woman in, that, ultimately, is what you end up becoming.”

‘EL PLAN: See him out testing his karts at his facility in Spain’;

https://www.givemesport.com/david-co...el-schumacher/


Fernando Alonso picked over Hamilton and Verstappen as ‘most complete driver on Earth’
21 May 2023 2:00 PM
Sam Cooper
PlanetF1.com

Fernando Alonso has been selected over Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as the “most complete driver on Earth.” The former Renault boss Cyril Abiteboul, who since departing F1 in 2020 now works as team principal for Hyundai Motorsport, said Alonso was the “most complete driver on Earth.”

“They are very involved, professional, disciplined and rational drivers,” Abiteboul told Spanish newspaper AS of the two former Spaniards he was in charge of, Alonso and Carlos Sainz. “At the same time they are Latinos and I have a good connection with that kind of people.”

“Carlos is impressive for his attention to all the details, in particular the mechanical part of the car, as if he was an engineer, and he has helped to improve the car since he was at Toro Rosso. Fernando needs no introduction. He is probably the most complete driver on earth and it is a joy to see him back at the top of Formula 1.”

‘EL PLAN: Probably the most complete driver on earth’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/fernan...mplete-driver/

[Fortitude]

Monaco GP 2023: Sky Sports F1 pundits predict four-team battle for pole and Fernando Alonso to end win drought.
Will Red Bull's 100 per cent win record in 2023 come to an end at the Monaco GP? Sky Sports F1's Simon Lazenby thinks four teams are in contention for pole position on Saturday; Ted Kravitz tips Fernando Alonso for win on Sunday.
25/05/23 7:10pm
Sky Sports

The Monaco GP this weekend looks set to have the first four-team battle at the front of the 2023 season, according to the Sky Sports F1 pundits. Red Bull have dominated the year so far, winning all five grands prix plus the Baku Sprint, but Formula 1's arrival in Monte Carlo may see that about to change.

The unique characteristics of the historic Circuit de Monaco's narrow streets can see the form book go out the window, and this year may be no different as Red Bull's straight-line speed advantage is somewhat negated while Aston Martin and Ferrari can capitalise on their strength in slow-speed corners.

‘EL PLAN: Ted Kravitz tips Fernando Alonso for win on Sunday’;

https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12...nd-win-drought


'It's not our strongest circuit' – Perez and Verstappen admit Red Bull could 'struggle' to 'show our strengths' at Monaco
25 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez admit Red Bull could “struggle” at the Monaco Grand Prix on a circuit that is not their “strongest”. Red Bull have won all five races this season – with Verstappen and Perez sitting first and second respectively in the drivers' championship – but both racers are wary of what might be in Monte Carlo despite that dominance.

Red Bull have won the last two races in Monaco with Verstappen taking victory in the Principality back in 2021, while Perez held off both the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, as well as his team mate to take the win last year. However, despite their recent success in Monaco and their impressive start to the season, Perez is not so sure that Red Bull will have it all their own way this weekend, with the Mexican expecting a difficult battle with their rivals.

“We certainly know it’s not our strongest circuit,” admitted Perez, who has finished on the podium twice in Monte Carlo. “We will struggle a bit to show our strengths, but it’s still Monaco.”

'It's not our strongest circuit';

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...E9gt0UBI1.html


Marko makes BOLD claim over Verstappen and Perez rivalry ahead of Monaco GP
Thursday 25 May 2023 20:12
Matthew Hobkinson


Helmut Marko has claimed that Sergio Perez is on the same level as Max Verstappen when the Mexican “is having a good day” ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. And heading into this weekend’s race at Monaco, Marko believes that Perez can go level on wins with Verstappen if he performs to the best of his abilities.

“Perez has improved,” he told Formel1.de’s YouTube channel. “He has become more consistent. However, nevertheless, throughout the season, Max is the faster one. And that was evident in Miami as well. In sector one, I believe, he took half a second off Perez. And that was in just four corners, and it remained consistent throughout the practice sessions and proved itself in the race as well…”

“In Jeddah, I think it was, he was suffering from a severe flu and simply wasn't in the physical condition to challenge Perez. And when Perez is having a good day, he's on the same level as Max, and it always comes down to minor details that make the difference.”

‘Marko makes BOLD claim’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...lmut-marko-f1/


Aston Martin with ‘Great Hopes’ to Fight for Monaco Grand Prix Victory – Mike Krack
May 25, 2023
By Paul Hensby
The Checkered Flag

Mike Krack says the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team are going for the win this weekend, with the Monaco Grand Prix potentially offering the Silverstone-based team their best chance of the season so far to beat Oracle Red Bull Racing. “It would be nice to say yes and do it,” Krack is quoted as saying by Motorsport.com. “We all have great hopes here for Monaco with our two drivers, we have a great car. In the simulator they were all quite excited.”

“But we must not forget the competition. It is true that there are not so many straights here. It’s also true that we have not seen a Red Bull or Ferrari or Mercedes in high downforce configuration, because we did not have a maximum downforce track so far. So I think it would be easy to say, ‘Ah we going to be easily at the front.’ I don’t think it will be that easy. I think we will have to be 100% at all times.”

‘EL PLAN: Great Hopes’

https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2...ry-mike-krack/


Lewis Hamilton ‘excited’ to try Mercedes F1 upgrades at Monaco GP after being “lost” in 2022
25 May 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Lewis Hamilton says he is “so excited” to finally try out Mercedes’ long-awaited F1 upgrades after admitting the team “were a little bit lost” in how to solve their issues. Hamilton, who admitted he has been “counting the days” until the upgrades arrive, hopes they will enable Mercedes to cut their vast performance deficit to pace-setters Red Bull.

“The upgrade, it will be difficult to see how it works at this kind of track but I’m hopeful that it puts us a little bit closer to these guys,” the seven-time world champion said on Thursday. I don’t think we will be fighting for a win necessarily, but hopefully we will be more in the fight.”

Hamilton praised the hard work of his team behind the scenes to produce the upgrades after Mercedes U-turned on their controversial decision to keep the faith in their unique sidepod approach over the winter.

‘W14 Upgrade - “So excited”!’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102679...ter-being-lost

[Fortitude]

Sainz fastest for Ferrari as Albon crash ends first practice.
Sainz’s best time of a 1’13.372 was over three tenths of a second faster than Fernando Alonso, with Lewis Hamilton third-fastest in the revised Mercedes W14.
26th May 2023, 13:45
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Lewis Hamilton fitted the medium compound tyres and took to the track in the heavily revised Mercedes. He immediately went quickest of all on his first timed lap with a 1’14.035, while Alonso went second with a lap just half a tenth slower than his former McLaren team mate.

When the session resumed with 20 minutes remaining, Alonso headed back out on the same set of medium tyres he had previously been running on, going quickest of all with the first lap under 1’14 of the session. Alonso’s time at the top did not last long, however, as Sainz used a second set of medium tyres to pip Alonso by half a tenth and reclaim first for Ferrari.

Alonso was second, three tenths slower than the Ferrari, with Hamilton third and Perez fourth for Red Bull. Leclerc was fifth in the second Ferrari, ahead of Max Verstappen. The championship leader endured a tough session, clearly unhappy with the balance of his car, the team unable to make some of the changes he wanted until the break before second practice.

‘Sainz fastest’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/26/...irst-practice/


(FP1) First Practice Results – 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
26th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari -1:13.372
2. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.338
3. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.663
4. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.666
5. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.721
6. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing +0.872
7. Lando Norris McLaren +1.095
8. Esteban Ocon Alpine +1.213
9. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +1.281
10. Alex Albon Williams Racing +1.294

‘Monaco Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the first practice session ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Monaco’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp1-first-...and-prix-82156


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Monaco Grand Prix
26 May 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor.
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...dTEVv1SrR.html


F1 Monaco Grand Prix - Friday Practice - LIVE UPDATES!
26th May 2023, 13:34.
Crash.Net

F1 is back this weekend after the last race at Imola was cancelled due to intense flooding.
The Monaco Grand Prix is the 'jewel in the crown' with many drivers desperate to win in the principality.
Aston Martin and Ferrari are expected to be on the pace, while all eyes will be on Mercedes' new upgrade.

‘LIVE UPDATES’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-mon...e-live-updates


What happened in frenetic opening Monaco GP F1 practice
26th May 2023, 13:43.
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz topped the opening practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, which was curtailed by a crash for Alex Albon.

Key moments:
> Four different cars in top four
> Hamilton third in upgraded Mercedes
> Albon shunt one of two red flags
> Verstappen unhappy with his RB19

The red flag denied the chance for anyone to dislodge Sainz, who had spent much of the session out front. He led a Ferrari 1-2 after the opening runs – albeit with the Ferrari duo just two of the three drivers in the field to opt for mediums rather than hards – and then reclaimed top spot with a 1m13.372s after swapping for a fresh set of mediums.

Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso ended up his nearest rival, three tenths off, at one point particularly exasperated by traffic in the form of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. Perez was the lead Red Bull, and only fourth, 0.003s behind the upgraded Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton.

‘Frenetic opening Monaco GP F1 practice’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/what-...p-f1-practice/


Sainz leads Alonso in Red Flag shortened Monaco FP1
26th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Monaco Grand Prix – Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso were the only two in the 1:13s as a late crash for Alex Albon saw the practice session end early.

At the halfway point Hamilton was at the top of the times with a 1:14.035 on the mediums, a few tenths ahead of Sainz and Norris. The session was Red Flagged with just over 22 minutes on the clock for debris left after Nico Hulkenberg had tagged the barrier at the chicane which punctured his rear tyre and spun him.

It was a Spanish 1-2 for the rest of the session after Sainz pipped Alonso with a 1:13.690 and the two continued to bring the times down until Alex Albon crashed at Sainte Devote which brought the Red Flags out again and with only a handful of minutes left in the session, it wouldn’t be resumed.

‘Red Flag shortened Monaco FP1’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/sainz-lead...naco-fp1-82160

[Fortitude]

Verstappen quickest as Sainz ends his Friday in the barriers.
Verstappen narrowly went faster than the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Sainz in the session. The latter crashed at the exit of the Swimming Pool chicane which ended his running with 20 minutes of the session remaining.
26th May 2023, 17:1026th May 2023, 17:16
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Fernando Alonso set the first representative time of the session with a 1’14.611, before Verstappen became the first driver of the day to break into the 1’13s to go quickest of all. His team mate Sergio Perez went second with a lap almost three tenths slower, before Alonso improved to split the two Red Bulls. Lewis Hamilton briefly popped up to the top of the times in the updated Mercedes, beating Verstappen’s best by just one-thousandth of a second, before the championship leader shaved a tenth off his personal best to retake the top spot. Norris was sent out for his first laps in the McLaren 10 minutes into the session.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Verstappen improved to a 1’12.462 to move back to the top of the times, a tenth of a second faster than Sainz’s previous benchmark. Leclerc improved to go just over half a tenth away from Verstappen into second place ahead of his team mate. Sainz continued to push on his soft tyres in an attempt to reclaim the fastest time, but he misjudged the exit of the Swimming Pool chicane and clipped the inside barrier, damaging his suspension and sending him into the outside barrier. With the Ferrari laying crashed at the side of the road, the red flags flew so Sainz’s car could be cleared.

‘Verstappen quickest’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/26/...-the-barriers/


(FP2) Second Practice Results – 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
26th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:12.462
2. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.065
3. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.107
4. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.220
5. Lando Norris McLaren +0.444
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.498
7. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.529
8. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.588
9. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.627
10. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.700

‘Monaco Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the second practice session ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Monaco’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp2-second...and-prix-82168


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from second practice for the Monaco Grand Prix
26 May 2023
Becky Hart
Special Contributor.

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...GYrat4MY2.html


How Friday practice for the F1 Monaco Grand Prix unfolded
26th May 2023.
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

The Monaco Grand Prix is the 'jewel in the crown' with many drivers desperate to win in the principality. Aston Martin and Ferrari are expected to be on the pace, while all eyes will be on Mercedes' new upgrade.

‘Friday practice’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-mon...e-live-updates


Sainz crashes, Verstappen fastest – all the Monaco FP2 details
26th May 2023, 17:16
By Jack Cozens
The Race

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen topped the second Monaco Grand Prix practice session ahead of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, whose crash brought out a red flag in the final 20 minutes of the session. Key moments:
> Late red flag as Sainz hits Swimming Pool chicane wall
> Verstappen hits the front but Ferraris close behind
> Top 14 covered by one second
> Red flag limits Albon to 11 minutes on track

Verstappen’s session-best time, a 1m12.462s, put him a mere 0.065 seconds ahead of Leclerc though with Sainz also just 0.107s off. Alonso was fourth and within a quarter of a second of the pace too in his Aston Martin. He ended the session half a second up on team-mate Lance Stroll, who was outside the top 10.

Lando Norris put his McLaren an excellent fifth but was asked to abort his final run once the session resumed to abort his lap and minimise his throttle use on his way back to the pits. Norris, who’d earlier been delayed from starting his running while McLaren worked on the front end of his car, did not return to the track.

‘Key moments’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/monac...appen-fastest/


Monaco GP FP2: Max Verstappen tops tight session, Carlos Sainz crashes out
26 May 2023 5:00 PM
Henry Valantine
PlanetF1.com

Max Verstappen went fastest in FP2 for the Monaco GP, edging clear of both Ferrari drivers, though Carlos Sainz prompted a red flag with a crash late in the session. Verstappen set the fastest first sector of anybody, but weaved his way through slower cars on his fast lap and may have lost a little bit of time in doing so, going third quickest when he crossed the line.

But attempting a second run, the Red Bull driver put himself back to the top of the standings, a 1:12.462 nudging Sainz off P1, before Leclerc put himself between the Dutchman and his Ferrari team-mate.

A reminder of the perils of Monaco was there for Yuki Tsunoda, who clipped the wall on the entry of the Nouvelle Chicane and caused a puncture on his AlphaTauri. Shortly afterwards, however, Sainz prompted the red flag to be brought out by crashing into the inside wall on the second apex of the Swimming Pool section.

‘FP2: Max Verstappen tops tight session’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/monaco...23-fp2-report/

[Fortitude]

The most important pole fight of 2023 also looks like the hardest to call.
Just as last year’s Monaco qualifying demonstrated, every single flying lap counts when the threat of a sudden red flag remains constant. With hundredths or even thousandths of a second could determine whether a driver starts on pole, playing it safe is not an option.
26th May 2023, 21:59
Written by Will Wood
RaceFans

Given they have spent the first five race weekends of the 2023 season struggling to offer any serious threat to Red Bull’s supremacy, it was perhaps a little surprising how both Ferrari and Aston Martin arrived in Monaco full of confidence about their potential to put up a fight.

Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur and Aston Martin’s Mike Krack had no interest in playing the cautious team principal role heading into Monte Carlo. Instead, both highlighted this weekend as one where the tight and twisty street circuit could offer the best chance yet for them to take on Red Bull. And based on what both teams showed during the opening practice day of the weekend, they had good reason to feel confident.

At the end of two hours of running, the margin between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc at the top of the time sheets was just 0.065 seconds – a physical difference of almost exactly three metres at the timing line. Heading into the most important qualifying of the season, where pole position offers the greatest chance of victory of any race on the calendar, that is a margin Red Bull know they cannot feel comfortable with.

‘Hardest to call’;

https://www.racefans.net/2023/05/26/...rdest-to-call/


Ferrari in the ascendancy as Alonso looms large in pole fight: Quali talking points
May 27th, 2023 10:06 am
Michael Lamonato from Fox Sports
Fox Sports (Australia)

Max Verstappen beat Charles Leclerc to top spot at the end of Friday practice at the Monaco Grand Prix, but this isn’t business as usual. Rather than Verstappen holding his regular large advantage over the field, the Dutchman was just 0.065 seconds quicker than the Monegasque.

With Carlos Sainz around 0.1 seconds off the pace and Fernando Alonso only 0.2 seconds adrift, hopes that the battle for pole — and therefore the battle for victory — would be unusually close around the peculiar Monte Carlo street circuit appear to be being realised. Red Bull Racing, though fastest by the end of the day, looks vulnerable.

“Compared to Ferrari especially we’re still a bit lacking on the general ride of the car, how it handles the kerbs, the bumps, the drops in camber,” Verstappen said. “That’s still something we need to work on for tomorrow, because you can see they are very, very close. Once you go to the limit in qualifying we need a bit more to stay ahead of them.”

‘Quali talking points’;

https://www.foxsports.com.au/motorsp...3431d12f5aab91


Could Monaco be the first grand prix Red Bull do not win this season?
Rivals eyeing chance to break dominance of Max Verstappen's team, whose floating victory pool has taken on a different look due to drought
26 May 2023 • 8:28pm
By Tom Cary, SENIOR SPORTS CORRESPONDENT, IN MONACO

If a Red Bull driver ends up winning this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix – they have dominated every other race so far this season – the victor will not be able to perform the team's now traditional celebratory leap into the pool on their floating Energy Station in the harbour.

Max Verstappen topping the timesheets in second practice on Friday may have had a familiar feel to it. But there are reasons to suggest this might be a track at which Verstappen and team-mate Sergio Perez are vulnerable. When you throw in the fact that this circuit does not particularly suit Red Bull’s challenger, which is at its best in medium- and high-speed corners, you have the potential for an upset.

“I've got no doubts or illusions that the challenge is going to be much greater this weekend,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner admitted on Friday. Their rivals, in particular Ferrari and Aston Martin, who looked very close in pace to Red Bull on Friday, are definitely interested. In a world where unicorns are floating in Red Bull’s pool, pigs might fly.

‘Verstappen and team-mate Sergio Perez are vulnerable’;

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/formula-...ewis-hamilton/


Wolff relieved by Mercedes pace: 'At least the car isn't worse'
26 May 8:00PM
Author Luke Murphy
RacingNews365

Toto Wolff was pleased by the benchmark set by the updated Mercedes cars, albeit with Lewis Hamilton still over half-a-second off the pace of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. "At least the upgraded car is not much worse than the car was before. That's a good sign for Monaco. For once, the car didn't do anything we don't like," Wolff told Sky Germany.

Toto Wolff says that the heavily-updated Mercedes W14 'isn't doing anything we don't like' after its debut at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix practice session. Mercedes Team Principal offered a tentatively-positive verdict on the updates, and suggested there were no major areas for concern.

When commenting on the closeness of the field ahead of qualifying, Wolff said: "In the end it's all going to be within two, three tenths."

'At least the car isn't worse';

https://racingnews365.com/wolff-reli...car-isnt-worse


Steiner gives HUGE Haas win prediction ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.
Guenther Steiner has insisted that Haas will win Formula 1 races “at some stage”, admitting that he believes it is just a matter of time before one of their drivers takes the chequered flag in first place.
Friday 26 May 2023 23:27
Matthew Hobkinson
22:27 Fri, 26 May 2023.

Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, Haas are preparing for their 150th race as an F1 team since their debut in the sport came in Australia back in 2016.

“The present objective this year is to move up in the constructors’ championship from last year, getting better every year, it’s as simple as this,” he told the F1 Nation podcast.

“And at some stage we want to be winning races. I don’t know how far away it is and I’m not going to say it’s this season or next season, but at some stage, it will happen with Haas.”

‘HUGE Haas win prediction’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...aas-f1-monaco/


Brundle causes 'ANXIETY' for F1 fans during FP2 at Monaco GP
Friday 26 May 2023 19:14
Matthew Hobkinson
GPFans

Formula 1 fans could not hide their disbelief after Martin Brundle was pictured standing metres away from the cars as they raced around the track during FP2.

Brundle was on track for Sky Sports at the Nouvelle chicane to analyse the drivers during the second practice session. “It’s fascinating down here,” he told Sky Sports. “Seeing how the drivers use the furniture of the kerb to turn the car. If you look at the inside rear tyre [of the cars], it’s in the air!

“The car is jacked, it’s like a three-wheeler. The right-front [tyre] goes over the kerb, it jacks the car and the back then slides which positions the car beautifully for the exit so they can get the car as straight as possible, as early as possible, and get better traction.”

‘Has Martin Brundle got a death wish?? He’s inches away from those cars!’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ix-f1-anxiety/

[Fortitude]

Monaco GP FP3: Red Bull 1-2 as Lewis Hamilton crashes his new Mercedes.
With Race Control announcing that the session would not be restarted, FP3 ended with a 1-2 for Red Bull with Verstappen 0.073s ahead of Perez with Stroll third.
27 May 2023 12:35 PM
Michelle Foster
PlanetF1.com

Max Verstappen topped a Red Bull 1-2 in final practice for the Monaco Grand Prix but none of the drivers were able to do a final flying lap after Lewis Hamilton brought out the reds when he crashed at Mirabeau.

The VSC came out only for Hamilton to then bring out the red flags shortly after the track action resumed with the Mercedes driver into the barrier at Mirabeau, damaging the front left of his revamped W14. The front left of his car’s wing was wedged into the barrier. “Sorry,” he said.

With Race Control announcing that the session would not be restarted, FP3 ended with a 1-2 for Red Bull with Verstappen 0.073s ahead of Perez with Stroll third. As for Hamilton, while he made his way back to the pits, his W14 was lifted high above the circuit giving Mercedes’ rivals a good look at the car’s new floor.

‘Race Control announcing’;

https://www.planetf1.com/news/monaco...23-fp3-report/


(FP3) Third Practice Results – 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
27th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman
FormulaSpy

Results (Classification):
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:12.776
2. Sergio Perez Red Bull Racing +0.073
3. Lance Stroll Aston Martin +0.166
4. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.485
5. Lando Norris McLaren +0.620
6. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.677
7. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.699
8. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.710
9. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.720
10. Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo +0.745

‘Monaco Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from the final practice session ahead of this weekend’s 2023 F1 World Championship race in Monaco’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/fp3-third-...and-prix-82181


AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from third practice for the Monaco Grand Prix
27 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

‘AS IT HAPPENED’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...o8OxrdyFm.html


F1 Monaco Grand Prix - Qualifying - LIVE UPDATES!
27th May 2023, 11:34
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

It's Saturday at the Monaco Grand Prix which means it's time for the best qualifying session of the year.

‘Follow all the action from Monte Carlo here with the Crash.net live blog.’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-mon...g-live-updates


Hamilton crashes, Red Bull 1-2 in final Monaco practice
27th May 2023, 12:45
By Josh Suttill
The Race

Max Verstappen topped the final Formula 1 practice session before qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton crashed his upgraded Mercedes, bringing the session to a premature end. Key moments:
> Late red flag as Hamilton crashes
> Verstappen fastest…but only by a narrow margin
> Top 16 covered by one second
> Magnussen stops Haas on track

Hamilton had an uncharacteristic crash with just over five minutes of FP3 remaining when he lost control of his W14 at Mirabeau right after setting the fastest first sector time. That caused a red flag and the session wasn’t resumed, preventing a flurry of late laps and leaving Verstappen as the final practice pacesetter on a 1m12.776s. He was 0.073s faster than Red Bull team-mate and defending Monaco GP winner Sergio Perez.

The top three was completed by the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll, who was just 0.166s slower than Verstappen. Stroll’s team-mate Fernando Alonso ended up 14th after he was denied a late flying lap by both Hamilton’s crash and Kevin Magnussen bringing his Haas to a halt just before Portier – an incident that triggered a virtual safety car period that only ended a few minutes before the red flag.

‘Key moments’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/hamil...naco-practice/


Monaco GP: Red Bull top final practice as Lewis Hamilton crash ends session early
27th May 2023, 13:00
By George Dagless
Give Me Sport

Red Bull took P1 and P2 in the final practice session of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. There have been suggestions that this Sunday's race could be the first this season without a Red Bull driver on the top step of the podium, with them potentially a little more vulnerable in qualifying thus far this campaign compared to in the race.

In FP3, Max Verstappen was fastest from team-mate Sergio Perez, though Lance Stroll was not far behind in the Red Bull and he'd certainly create quite the story if he could repeat, or improve, that performance in a few hours from now.

Carlos Sainz was the fastest Ferrari, bouncing back nicely from his crash in FP2, whilst Lando Norris was fifth-quickest - another strong practice session for him after a good showing yesterday.

‘Red Bull: Potentially a little more vulnerable in qualifying’;

https://www.givemesport.com/monaco-g...inal-practice/


F1 Monaco GP: Max Verstappen fastest in messy final practice as Lewis Hamilton crashes upgraded Mercedes
27 May 2023
Lewis Larkam
Crash.Net

Max Verstappen set the pace in a truncated final practice at the F1 Monaco Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton crashed his upgraded Mercedes car. Reigning world champion Verstappen pipped Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez by just 0.073s to top a crucial final hour of practice ahead of what is arguably the most important qualifying of the season.

But a true picture of the competitive picture was skewed after the closing stages of FP3 were interrupted by several stoppages that prevented drivers from improving. Hamilton had just set the fastest first sector of anyone before he slid into the barriers at Mirabeau, causing damage to his newly-revised W14 and bringing the session to an early end.

‘True competitive picture was skewed’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/news/102695...raded-mercedes

[Fortitude]

Verstappen denies Alonso Monaco GP pole, Perez crashes in Q1.
Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen denied Fernando Alonso a sensational Monaco Grand Prix pole, while his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez crashed out of qualifying early on.
May 27 2023
By Valentin Khorounzhiy
The Race

Verstappen hardly took it easy after Perez’s exit – he grazed the wall at Antony Nogues in Q1 and topped the first and the second segment – but the pole shoot-out brought a stern challenge. The championship leader was only fifth after his initial attempt and though he went quickest after giving it another go on the same set, he was sensationally dethroned almost immediately by the Alpine of Esteban Ocon.

By the time Verstappen had come out on his second Q3 set of softs, he was fifth again – moved down also by Alonso and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Yet he struck back again at the very last moment, overcoming a deficit to Alonso after the first two sectors with a sensational final sector to record a pole-clinching 1m11.365s – despite tagging the wall during the lap.

Alonso settled for a front row spot, ahead of home hero Leclerc and Ocon – who’d smacked the wall at Ste Devote earlier but got away with it. Leclerc is under investigation for an impeding incident involving McLaren’s Lando Norris.

‘Sensational final sector’;

https://the-race.com/formula-1/verst...crashes-in-q1/


Qualifying Results – 2023 Monaco Grand Prix
27th May 2023
by Emer Hedderman

Results (Classification):
Q3
1. Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing -1:11.365
2. Fernando Alonso Aston Martin +0.084
3. Charles Leclerc Scuderia Ferrari +0.106
4. Esteban Ocon Alpine +0.188
5. Carlos Sainz Scuderia Ferrari +0.265
6. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes +0.360
7. Pierre Gasly Alpine +0.568
8. George Russell Mercedes +0.599
9. Lando Norris McLaren +0.717
10. Yuki Tsunoda AlphaTauri +0.889

‘Monaco Grand Prix – Here are the complete results from qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s 2023 F1 World Championship race from Monaco’;

https://formulaspy.com/f1/qualifying...and-prix-82184


LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix
27 May 2023
Becky Hart.
Special Contributor
Formula One - Official Site

‘As It Happened’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...TK6aGVwQa.html


How qualifying for the F1 Monaco Grand Prix unfolded
27th May 2023.
Reporting By: Connor McDonagh
Crash.Net

It's Saturday at the Monaco Grand Prix which means it's time for the best qualifying session of the year.

‘Follow all the action from Monte Carlo here with the Crash.net live blog’;

https://www.crash.net/f1/live/f1-mon...g-live-updates


Verstappen claims Monaco pole in STUNNING shootout
Saturday 27 May 2023 17:31
Joe Ellis
GPFans

Max Verstappen left it until the final seconds to take a sensational pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix. In the most important qualifying sessions of the year, thanks to the nature of the circuit making it difficult to overtake, the double world champion finally found a way to overcome a rapid Fernando Alonso.

A time of 1:11:365 was more than good enough to claim pole position, giving him a very good chance of victory and a substantial championship lead. Alongside him on the narrowest grid of the season will be Alonso, who looked likely to take pole before a stunning final sector from Verstappen.

Perez throws it away. With just seven minutes on the clock, Sergio Perez crashed out of qualifying at Sainte Devote, damaging his Red Bull car and bringing out the red flag. A rear-end slide saw his RB19 slam into the tyre wall and end his qualifying day there and then, even though he was fifth fastest at the time of the crash. It means starting way down in the field at the most difficult-to-overtake track in the world, leaving the chances of even points slim at best.

‘STUNNING shootout’;

https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ix-qualifying/


Verstappen snatches pole position from Alonso in thrilling Monaco GP qualifying session
27 May 2023
Formula One - Official Site

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen will start the Monaco Grand Prix from pole position after coming out on top in a breathless qualifying hour at the Monte Carlo circuit, pipping Aston Martin rival Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

In a pole shootout that did not feature Verstappen’s team mate, Sergio Perez, who crashed out of Q1, several drivers had spells at the top of the timesheets amid a sequence of laps that had fans on the edge of their seats.

With Alonso on provisional pole, it took a mighty effort of 1m 11.365s from Verstappen to secure P1, denying the Spaniard what would have been his first pole since the 2012 season by just under a tenth of a second.

‘Verstappen snatches pole’;

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...Y3G8ESZJ9.html


Fernando Alonso aims cheeky dig at Max Verstappen after losing out on Monaco GP pole
Fernando Alonso just missed out on securing pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.
16:30, Sat, May 27, 2023
By Luke Chillingsworth
Daily and Sunday Express

Fernando Alonso has fired a cheeky dig at Max Verstappen after the Red Bull star pipped him to Monaco Grand Prix pole. The Aston Martin star claimed Verstappen had been “inconsistent” and prayed he would struggle again in the Principality on Sunday. “Max has been a little bit inconsistent so maybe it's one of those bad ones tomorrow."

Alonso missed out on pole by less than a tenth of a second after a thrilling qualifying session but the Spaniard was confident the team could still challenge. He added: "I feel good. Obviously pole position means a lot in Monaco but today Max was a little bit faster, which is a shame.”

"I think first row on the grid here for us is quite a big thing. The last sector seemed to be our weakest point on the circuit. Let's see tomorrow what we can do in terms of strategy, if there is any weather coming. We will try to win it.”

‘EL PLAN: Strategy to win it’;

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-a...rix-qualifying