Monaco, along with Monza and Spa, is one of the tracks still on the calendar whose history pre-dates Formula 1. In fact, the first Monegasque Grand Prix dates back to 1929. Since then, the layout has changed little, even if the arrival of a new pits structure in 2004 was something of a revolution.
There is also nothing quite like Monaco on the technical front. The track surface is that of a public road – in fact, in the evening the track is opened up to normal traffic again – therefore it offers very low grip levels, so that the Pirelli Ultrasoft is pretty much a necessity for qualifying and a good part of the race too. Set-up is unique, because the bumpy nature of the track requires a relatively high ride-height and the tight corners mean the car’s turning circle has to be reduced. The engine is not so important here, with high levels of energy recovery, however, aerodynamic downforce really counts. Up until a few years ago, one would see all sorts of aero appendages sprouting from the bodywork: today the regulations have ruled out most of these fanciful designs, however the lap times should be worth watching.
Join us for the latest updates and results from the Circuit de Catalunya, as the first practice session for the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix is about to get underway, with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc at the wheel of the SF90, ready to evaluate the ideal set-up ahead of the qualifying session and the race on Sunday.
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