After an unscheduled break due to horrendous conditions in Italy last weekend, F1 returns to the sporting slate this weekend for the most prestigious Grand Prix of the lot – Monaco.

For the first time this season, Max Verstappen is not odds-on to win after a tricky FP1 session in which he complained about the rear end of the car.

The other big news includes Mercedes’ big upgrade package, which Lewis Hamilton handled well, and Ferrari’s fantastic pace in FP1.

Monaco Grand Prix track guide

Debut season – 1950

Track length – 3.34km

Number of turns – 19

Most wins – Ayrton Senna (6)

Most poles – Ayrton Senna (5)

2022 winner – Sergio Perez

The tight, twisting streets of Monte Carlo make up the most prestigious and famous Grands Prix on the calendar but the nature of the circuit doesn’t always make for the most entertaining of spectacles.

With Formula One cars now approaching two metres in width, the narrow streets make overtaking a rarity and most of the excitement is found in Saturday’s qualifying session.

Still, it is one of the most demanding tracks for the drivers, with the Grand Hotel Hairpin being the slowest corner on the calendar and coming shortly before an unparalleled tunnel section, which gets particularly tricky in the wet. The challenges keep on coming, with the Swimming Pool complex offering high-speed action just centimetres from the wall and leading into the iconic Rascasse.

Monaco Grand Prix predictions & tips

Charles Leclerc to be fastest qualifier at 6/4

Monaco born and bred, Charles Leclerc was on a blistering lap before Alex Albon’s crash brought the red flag out in FP1 and could be set for some home heroics this weekend.

The Monegasque driver has had torrid luck in his home Grand Prix, only finishing the race for the first time last season after three retirements and one occasion in which he didn’t even make the start of the race.

However, his misfortune has little to do with his performances. He took pole position last year before one of the countless strategy blunders by Ferrari demoted him to fourth by the chequered flag.

Leclerc is known as one of the best qualifiers on the grid and Monaco is all about track position. The pole sitter has ended up on the podium in 16 of the last 18 Monaco Grands Prix and the eventual winner has started from the front row in 11 of the last 13 instalments.

Ferrari’s main man is the only non-Red Bull driver to take a pole position this season and has qualified fastest in the last two Monaco Grands Prix. Given Ferrari’s pace in FP1 and Leclerc’s one-lap magic, he looks good value to take pole position.

Charles Leclerc to win at 11/4

I am also tempted by Leclerc to win the race, too. Red Bull looked to be struggling to find a suitable setup in FP1 and Monte Carlo’s streets will nullify one of their key advantages – their highly-efficient DRS system.

If he can get a good start and avoid the curse of his hometown, Leclerc could very well fulfil a career ambition on Sunday.

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