Il Fantasy F1 continues with the most prestigious Grand Prix on the calendar: that of Monaco, on the track of Montecarlo. There where the pilots approach the walls to get as close as possible to the history and myth of those who, before them, kissed them, brushed them, inflaming the track and spirits. All the surroundings are precious in Monaco, from the people looking out onto the balconies, perhaps with a glass in hand; to the colors of the single-seaters juxtaposed with the crystalline waters of the Côte d'Azur.
The exception
Monaco is one of the most awaited but also feared appointments. There is no written rule that holds here, favorites or not. The characteristics of the Montecarlo circuit, compared to those of the other seasonal appointments, are "anomalous" if one thinks of the single-seaters of the "new era": high load, slow cornering, few overtaking opportunities. Among the elements that could upset everything are the possible strategies at the start, or the unknown rain for the race.
There are those who may arrive more prepared than others, but these are data that on the track turn into a chance, nothing more. It will be important to have one great confidence with the car, in order to capture the best possible margin. In home Ferrari there is a pilot at the moment who does this well, Charles Leclerc who is still licking his wounds from Barcelona, in which his too teammate it didn't shine. The relationship with the Montecarlo track is a bit a difficult love for the Monegasque who needs to find perfection.
The struggle continues
At the top of the two classifications is now the Red Bull, with Max Verstappen who, with Barcelona has collected the third consecutive victory. Even Max, like Charles, hasn't always had a good relationship with the Monte Carlo track. However, the Dutchman managed to break this little curse in 2021 with a victory, which also came on the shoulders of the poor Ferrari drivers who saw Leclerc – on pole – slow down and wave the white flag in the formation lap of the Grand Prix. Ferrari must give a strong signal on a track that more than any other favors the traction and high downforce, the strong points of the F1-75.
The party also wants to join Mercedes, especially in case an inconvenience should happen up front. The stable of Brackley she's growing, and we can't take her out of the fight in Monaco as we're used to pleasant or unpleasant surprises here.
The predictions for the Fanta F1
Predictions can be made in Monaco, but the story promptly takes another turn, a bit like the wind arriving on the coast. Forecasts for the weekend vary from a mild temperature on Friday and Saturday with 24° – 25° to a cold and cloudy Sunday with 20°. At Fanta F1 it will be a real challenge, a bit like playing “roulette”. Accidents, crazy weather, "curses" and a fight that gets more and more heated.
What predictions can you make for the Monaco GP?
Safety Car and Virtual Safety Car: Yes
Barcelona left us speechless and not only for the twists that the match with Leclerc took, but also for those we made on the sofa thinking about the fact that not even a Virtual came out. In Monaco, however, everything is up for discussion and, even if the Virtual is not so common – the latest in 2018 – at Fanta F1 we prefer to gamble for +7 rather than being conservative with +3.
Red Flag: Yes
One corner taken badly is enough and you end up blocking traffic like the one on the Salerno-Reggio with the risk of triggering a series of rear-end collisions. Monaco over the years has also given a show for its most famous and absurd accidents. If it were to rain then...
Drivers unmark Wet/Full wet in the race: Yes
The weather on the coast is volatile and unpredictable. It can rain for 5 minutes and then the sun returns, so we advise you to make this decision 30 seconds before time runs out. Our feeling is that we're heading towards a wet Monaco - at least in the race - perhaps like the one in 2016, or that Fantozzi's cloud arrives to ruin Leclerc's weekend.
Team double in the race: No
Red Bull comes off a one-two finish, and Ferrari will certainly want to return the favour, but we believe it will be a crazy race, or at the very least a reconfirmation and a question and answer from the two drivers who are keeping this world championship alive more than ever, Leclerc and Verstappen.
Driver who starts on pole wins the race: Yes
Qualifying in Monaco will be very important. Starting up front is a great advantage more than in other circuits, however net of a good strategy and no problems or mistakes.
Number of teams to bring both riders to the Top 10: 3
The strength of the teams will be in proving to be competitive especially in qualifying. This season there are many who questioned themselves right there, only to get lost in the race. In Monaco, however, there is little space to get lost. We believe that, barring various disasters, 3 teams could be able to bring both cars into the top 10.
Number of cars forced to retire: 3
On the other hand, we also expect a fair number of withdrawals. The average up to Barcelona is about 3,5 withdrawals per game. Of course, Jeddah and Miami have raised the average, but they are both street circuits – even if very different from Monaco. With the rain there could be even more!
