Why driving in Monaco with the new F1 cars is a huge challenge for drivers

This obviously didn't escape anyone. The new single-seaters are bigger, heavier, ride closer to the ground and are mounted on much stiffer suspensions than before. On any circuit, this isn't really a problem in itself. In Monaco, where the width of the track between the rails is tenuous, this could quickly become so. “I think Monaco will be one of those tracks where we will be really slower than in previous years, imagines Alex Albon. But it will be interesting. It won't be easy to know how to take all the turns, or to see where the bumps will be on the track. So this will bring a bit of character to this circuit which is already not lacking in it.”

Words confirmed by Lando Norris, who dreams of repeating his performance from last season with a podium gleaned behind Verstappen et Sainz. “I'm looking forward to it, but I think it's probably going to be one of the biggest challenges I've had so far, blurted the Englishman. It will be particularly interesting to know how we are going to make the car run in terms of settings. Everyone is in the same boat. » The other new thing that pilots will have to familiarize themselves with is visibility. Or rather the lack of visibility.

Lando Norris hopes to return to the podium in Monaco. © Antonin Vincent / DPPI

Due to its urban nature and proximity to the rails, it is customary to say that the slightest mistake cannot be forgiven on the Rock in Monaco. Except that this year, the drivers will have an additional difficulty. The new 18-inch tires being heavier and above all larger, their height risks hindering the visibility of the drivers on this track. “It’s clear that visibility is worse in this car than in the previous ones, confirmed Kevin Magnussen. It's going to be really hard to see the rope sometimes, that's mostly it, but everything will be fine! »

“Visibility is definitely worse, thrust Lance stroll. It's one of the things you have to adapt to. This will be a big challenge compared to previous years. But somehow, I would say it became something that we started to really get used to over the first few races of the season. » The drivers will be able to rejoice at least in one parameter: given the low number of straights, they should not be prey to porpoising, which has seriously complicated the lives of a good half of the cars since the start of the year . That's already taken!

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