The Monaco Grand Prix is arguably the most awaited race in the Formula 1 calendar given its rich history and popularity.
Other than getting the bragging rights for this particular race, winning at Monaco is going to be pivotal for Ferrari and Red Bull since they’re on a tight tug of war in these past few races.
After a one-two finish in the Spanish Grand Prix, Red Bull are now in pole position both in the drivers and constructors’ standings as Max Verstappen (110 points) leapfrogged Charles Leclerc (104 points), and they have 195 points compared to the Prancing Horse’s 169.
However, Ferrari are looking great in the first two practices since they’ve led the way and they’re out to reclaim their lead once again.
With another fun race ahead of us, continue to read on below as SBOTOP serves you the latest Monaco Grand Prix 2022 updates.
Charles Leclerc looking to end home race hoodoo
Charles Leclerc is aiming to put his past Monaco failures behind him as he looks to win his first home race, and he insists that he feels no pressure to do well in front of his supporters.
“I honestly don’t feel the pressure, I am just really happy to be here. To be back on this amazing track it is very special for me having grown up here, on these roads I know so well. There is no added pressure, I know that the performance is in the car for a great result this weekend,” said Leclerc.
The Monegasque driver has won many races already in his young career, but he has yet to cross the finish line in Monaco as he was plagued by a streak of poor fortune.
In his first go-around in 2017, Leclerc was poised to win up until an ill-timed safety car proved costly, which pushed him to fourth place and he eventually retired because of a suspension problem.
Driving for Alfa Romeo in 2018, his car had a brake failure for another DNF. And after another retirement in 2019, he couldn’t finish in 2021 despite having won the pole position.
Leclerc was jinxed once more when he took to the track again earlier this month as he crashed into the barriers while driving a demonstration of Niki Lauda’s 1974 Ferrari due to another brake problem.
He is coming off a DNF in Spain due to a power unit failure and that can’t happen if they are to maintain their challenge on this season’s title.
Daniel Ricciardo crashes out of FP2 but remains optimistic ahead of Sunday
McLaren have had an impressive first practice in Monaco as Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo finished P5 and P7 – outpacing their engine providers Mercedes – but they weren’t able to fully sustain their momentum on the second practice as Ricciardo brought out the red flags.
Daniel Ricciardo’s second session was cut short after crashing into the barrier at the Swimming Pool complex. However, the Aussie downplayed the incident and he said that he isn’t worried at all.
“Yes, the pace is good,” Ricciardo said. “You kind of never really know how you’re going to go around here in terms of if you’re in that midfield scrap. But today at least we showed that we are going to be relatively competitive around here and for, let’s say, our battle.”
The 2018 Monaco Grand Prix winner is looking for his first points since the Australian Grand Prix. He is fresh from a P12 finish in Spain.
History
The Monaco Grand Prix has been a mainstay on the Formula 1 schedule since 1955 and only failed to take place in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the last five years, Max Verstappen was the winner in 2021 while Lewis Hamilton won it in 2019 and 2016 and Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel exchanged wins in 2017 and 2018. Hamilton is the active driver with the most wins at three.
Overall, Ayrton Senna has the most victories here with six, while Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher have 5 and Alain Prost has four.
What are the odds?
If their recent practices provide any indication, it is that Ferrari are poised to win in Monaco, as per the latest Monaco Grand Prix 2022 odds.
Hopefully this isn’t a jinx, but Charles Leclerc is the favoured racer since he’s priced at 1.25 while his teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. is pegged at 1.52.
Max Verstappen is almost guaranteed to win a podium regardless and he’s installed at 1.60, while his teammate Sergio Perez isn’t far behind at 2.28.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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