Glitz, glamour, money — Formula 1 is back on the streets of Monte Carlo. Monaco is the eighth race of the season, the third race in the Month of “MAYhem” and the second race of the European triple header.
Only a clairvoyant can predict what will happen on Sunday, May 25th. However, the rest of the world is excited to see what kind of miracles are in the air. Will it be another fight between Red Bull and McLaren?
Circuit de Monaco — What is so special about this racetrack?
The Circuit de Monaco is one of the oldest racetracks in Formula 1 history. It debuted in 1929 in the motorsports world and was added to the Formula 1 race calendar in 1950, when the FIA Formula 1 World Championship was officially founded, and has been consistently used since 1955.
The 3.337 km circuit length offers 78 laps, 19 turns, multiple straights, and narrow streets — it is one of the trickiest race circuits in F1. Additionally, it is one of three racetracks in F1 with only one DRS zone. It is famous for having the slowest corner (48 km/h) and one of the quickest tunnels (260 km/h) in F1.
Lewis Hamilton set the fastest lap in 2021 with just 1:12.909s. In 2024 it was the Monégasque Charles Leclerc from Ferrari who famously (and emotionally) won his home race.
Recap of the Grand Prix in 2024
Last year’s race started in pure chaos. Leclerc, who launched forward from the first second, was closely chased by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, as chaos ignited. Carlos Sainz, Leclerc’s teammate, had to pull to the side, as he experienced issues with the conditions of his tyres. Later, Haas driver Kevin Magnussen and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez collided on the very first lap. A few seconds later, Magnussen’s teammate joined the collision, leaving the three to DNF the race. Both Alpine drivers made contact on the streets as well, as Esteban Ocon drove with his left back-tyre on Gasly’s. This heavy contact left Ocon to retire.
The race restarted with Leclerc at the front and Sainz as third. Besides a puncture for Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll 50 laps into the session, the race was rather eventless.
The win for Leclerc was very important, as he is the first Monégasque in 93 years to win the Monaco Grand Prix.
Williams’ Alex Albon finished in P9, achieving the first points for Williams in 2024. This race, therefore was significant to the driver. The Thai is in the 2025 campaign standing at 8th with 40 points secured. He has not been on a podium this season — Can Albon change this in Monaco in 2025?
What can we expect from this year?
The championship lead has “Piastri” written all over it as the Australian doesn’t let anyone overtake him in the standings.
His teammate Lando Norris who showed improvement on the track the last couple of sessions, is right behind him, as he reduced the gap by three points due to his P2 finish in Imola. The McLaren dominance on track is untouched, but the Dutchman and four-time World Champion from Red Bull isn’t letting go of the papaya drivers.
With his win at Red Bull’s 400th Grand Prix last weekend, Max Verstappen is just 9 points behind the Briton, becoming a threat to McLaren.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso has yet to score points as he hasn’t finished in the top 10 all season. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, is suffering from the finishing-pointless-plaque, which raises concerns about him remaining in the pinnacle of motorsports for the rest of the season. Can the Kiwi turn his faith and join the drivers in the upper half for once?
Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber, has been comfortably standing at the very end but is since Imola joined by Alpine’s Franco Colapinto.
Colapinto hasn’t had the best start to his tenure at Alpine after replacing Jack Doohan for the next five races. The Argentinian crashed during Saturday’s Qualifying and only managed to reach to thirteenth position, but was left pointless.
Will Monaco turn the music up in the standings? Can Norris pass Piastri and retake the championship lead? Or can Red Bull pick up another victory to signal an end to the dominance of papaya?
