Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz engage in conversation while on the grid.
Charles Leclerc is the favourite to take pole position in Monaco. The Ferrari driver has looked very comfortable all weekend on the streets of his home country and all indications are that it is up to him to take P1 and end Max Verstappen’s unbeaten qualifying streak.
Despite a concerning Friday, Max Verstappen has managed to narrow the gap considerably. The Dutch driver is now in close proximity to Leclerc, and the difference in qualifying times might be minimal. What should be Verstappen’s next move? Can he bridge the gap, or does the SF24 have a significant advantage over the RB20 on Monaco’s streets?
Picking apart FP3 in Monaco
Verstappen and Leclerc are neck and neck until they reach the tunnel area.
At the exit, the Dutchman experiences a loss of traction while the Ferrari regains stability on the straight. Moving forward, the gap between them remains consistent in Sector 2, at around one-tenth and a half. Finally, in the last corner, Leclerc gains momentum and secures a final advantage of +0.197s. Without a doubt, this battle will be extremely close.
However, it is evident that the Red Bull team is encountering difficulties starting from the second half of the track. This becomes particularly noticeable in Sector 2, where the straight tunnel and intense braking at the rear prove to be challenging for them. Verstappen will need to showcase his exceptional skills in order to make up for the disadvantages faced by the RB20 compared to the SF24.
It’s not just Verstappen who could give Leclerc a run for his money. Carlos Sainz, the other talented Ferrari driver, is also considered a strong contender and has the potential to surprise everyone by challenging Charles Leclerc for pole position.
At the eleventh hour, the Spaniard has joined forces with two legendary drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, both of whom undoubtedly possess strong prospects to contend for the top three positions.
Aston Martin and Mercedes have revived their performance and should seize the opportunities presented in Monte Carlo. Both teams have lagged behind Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari this season. However, the distinctive features of this circuit, along with the diminished significance of engine power, might play in their favor and contribute to their competitive stance.
Meanwhile, McLaren seems to be struggling ahead of qualifying. The MCL38, which excels in high-speed corners, is finding it difficult to perform on the unique Monaco circuit. With its abundance of slow corners and limited opportunities to gain an advantage by exiting corners smoothly, the car is not performing at its best.
Breaking down the best sector times so far in Monte Carlo
