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Street circuit in Monte Carlo: Beautiful scenery, bumpy slope
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Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Once again, the preliminary decision for victory in the Formula 1 classic can already be made during qualifying in Monaco.
However, before the fight for the front grid positions, it is not only the weather forecast that causes headaches for the teams.
The drivers also struggle with the track.
And that more than already on the demanding course in the Principality.
"The track has been newly paved, but it's probably the bumpiest I've ever ridden on," said record world champion Lewis Hamilton, according to the sports information service sid: "In some places it felt as if my eyeballs were going through the bumps of the head down.«
The reigning champion Max Verstappen also noted after free practice on Friday that the cockpit boundary would be bumped "more and more violently".
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso joked: "Everything you need in Monaco: These cars don't have it."
In qualifying on Saturday (3 p.m., TV: Sky), the coordination of the stiffer new cars plays a decisive role if you don’t want to spoil your chances of a podium finish before the start of the race (read more about the bucking cars here: The phenomenon of jumping cars ).
Because: apart from the sensational victory of Frenchman Olivier Panis in 1996 – he won from 14th place on the grid, only four drivers reached the finish line – perfect qualifying is the prerequisite for victory in Monaco.
After Panis, only those who started the Grand Prix from at least third place triumphed.
In eleven of the last twelve editions, the winner came from the front row.
sak/sid
