The 3 challenges of the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix

End of the curse for Charles Leclerc?

Between Charles Leclerc and the Monaco Grand Prix is ​​“I love you, me neither”. The Monegasque is at home, where he grew up, where he spent his childhood. However, the representative of Ferrari has never been varnished on his land. For his first appearance as a pilot of F1 in 2018 he was unable to do anything when his brakes failed at the exit of the tunnel, unintentionally taking away Brendon Hartley on his way.

In 2019, the Scuderia's poor strategy condemned it to a comeback after a premature elimination in Q1. If the excesses on Lando Norris et Romain Grosjean had been a success, the one on Nico Hulkenberg à la Rascasse had not worked. Victim of a puncture after his maneuver, Charles Leclerc had no other choice but to retire.

Two years later, he finally seemed to overcome the Indian sign by taking pole position. Unfortunately, his accident in Q3 would have repercussions on the race since the Monegasque would not even succeed in reaching the starting grid after a problem with the rear driveshaft, the result of his exit the day before. Again on pole last year, Charles Leclerc was once again the victim of a strategic blunder by Ferrari, yet another, and thus saw his hopes of a first victory at home go up in smoke.

In 2023, Charles Leclerc arrives determined for his national Grand Prix. The only pilot to have defeated the Red Bull in the qualifying exercise this year, moreover on an urban circuit (Baku), the Monegasque once again appears as the main threat for Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez. The Scuderia driver is at home and knows very well that this Monaco Grand Prix represents perhaps his greatest chance of victory this season.

Unlike in Baku where he created a surprise given the characteristics of the track, the 2022 world vice-champion does not need high top speed, one of the strong points of the RB19. In any case, everything seems to have come together again for Charles Leclerc to fight for the 25 points of victory. It remains to be seen if he can maintain pole position for 3^e year of rank. And when we know the importance of pole in Monaco, we say to ourselves that it's now or never.

2023, the end of misfortunes for Charles Leclerc in Monaco? © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

Fernando Alonso, permission to dream?

He is without a doubt the driver who most “livens up” this start of the season. Behind the ultra-domination of Red Bull, Fernando Alonso appears to be the “best of the rest”. Four podiums in six Grands Prix, a third place in the championship, the double world champion only lacks one thing and he knows it very well: victory!

The Asturian is still aware that the gap with Red Bull is still too big. But he himself has never stopped himself from dreaming and in recent weeks he has often mentioned Monaco when talking about the possibility of fighting for a first success since Spain in 2013. “ I think at the beginning of the year, a podium was extraordinary. Now, after four podiums, we obviously want more, at least a second place, he admitted after Miami. Both Red Bulls are still untouchable, and still super fast, but like I said, maybe we will have a chance in Monaco… or Barcelona."

Fernando Alonso could see himself on the top step of the podium in Monaco. © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

Monaco then. But to dream of victory, we will have to do much better than the previous Grands Prix because although he has won podiums, Fernando Alonso has never been a real threat for the Red Bulls. Not even in qualifying. To achieve his goals and thus ensure that his dream becomes a reality, the Bull of Asturias will have to put everything together and especially during the qualifying session, perhaps the area where the AMR23 is not yet everything absolutely to the point.

Mercedes, developments to get back on track

Toto wolff wondering if the developments will work. © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

Toto Wolff and his gang were impatiently awaiting the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to try their first big developments. Finally, the Italian event did not take place for the reasons we know, thus postponing their introduction by a week.

It is therefore in Monaco that Mercedes will use his W14 2.0 for the first time. In the program ? A new platform, a new floor as well as a new front suspension and redesigned sidepods with the particular objective of improving aerodynamic downforce.

« A big facelift, confided Toto Wolff a few days ago. That's why the developments we're making are going to help us define the direction we're going to take and understand the different areas that we think might play a role in why the car is so finicky to drive. »

Mercedes is preparing for a new start. © Florent Gooden / DPPI

Problem is, the princely route is not the ideal setting for introducing new features to a car. Indeed, the characteristics of the track should not allow the German team to get a real idea of ​​the good or bad functioning of these new elements. But if she does it, it’s because she really needs it to hope to get back into the leading group. And who knows, with any luck it might pay off in the end with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell more competitive in the streets of the Rock.

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