What time does the Monaco Grand Prix start? What channel is the Monaco Grand Prix on? The answers to all of that and more in F1i’s race preview
Well that escalated quickly… The seemingly relentless march towards another championship double for Mercedes abruptly stalled in Spain as Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton took each other out and Red Bull capitalised with Max Verstappen following his shock promotion with a fairytale win on debut for the team. As if that wasn’t already a tantalising enough situation at Mercedes coming in to this weekend, Monaco is a race where Hamilton and Rosberg have history. In 2014 Rosberg was accused of deliberately running wide during qualifying to secure pole, while Hamilton lost what was poised to be a dominant win last year when pitting under the safety car, handing his team-mate a third consecutive victory. This should be fun.
FORM GUIDE
Rosberg had taken the lead with a strong move at Turn 1 in Barcelona and believes he was set to win before the collision with Hamilton, so he still arrives in Monaco in good form after starting the year with four straight wins. Hamilton was back to his best in qualifying after reliability woes but needs to put together a clean weekend quickly. Verstappen may have won in Spain but what stood out was Red Bull’s pace compared to Ferrari, with Monaco set to suit the RB12 much more. Add in a Renault power unit upgrade and we could see Mercedes threatened once again, especially as the W07 has yet to run the ultrasoft tyre which will make its debut. McLaren is optimistic in will be strong on a track with less power unit emphasis, understandably so as it wasn’t far off the pace of Force India and Toro Rosso in Barcelona, while Williams has struggled in Monaco over the past two years.
2015 RESULT
Pole position: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 1:15,098
Top three: Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
Fastest lap: Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull), 1:18.063
SESSION TIMES (All times local)
FP1: 10:00 - 11:30 (Thursday)
FP2: 14:00 - 15:30 (Thursday)
FP3: 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying: 14:00 - 15:00
Race: 1400
TYRE CHOICES
©Pirelli
WEATHER FORECAST
The early forecast is for a warm and dry week in Monaco, until Sunday. Thursday’s practice sessions and Saturday’s qualifying should see similar conditions and temperatures, which is crucial as qualifying is more important in Monaco than at any track this season. Race day could prove dramatic if forecast rain hits, however, with wet weather expected throughout the day. Drivers on the limit in the dry in qualifying around the streets of Monte Carlo, followed by the challenge of a wet race? Perfect.
UK TELEVISION TIMINGS (All times UK)
Sky Sports F1 - Live coverage
FP1 - 0845 (Thursday)
FP2 - 1245 (Thursday)
FP3 - 0945
Qualifying - 1200
Race - 1130
Channel 4 - Highlights
Qualifying - 1745
Race - 1745
PODIUM PREDICTION
1st - Lewis Hamilton
2nd - Nico Rosberg
3rd - Daniel Ricciardo
2015 BEST SHOT
