Even though Red Bull have dominated the past three years, Mercedes’ qualifying form may threaten the defending champions’ bid for another jackpot at the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend. PHOTO: AFP
MONACO: Words and hats may have to be eaten along with the usual canapés and caviar if Lewis Hamilton wins the glamour race of the Formula One season in Monaco this weekend.
The sceptics who doubted McLaren’s 2008 world champion would stand on top of the podium this season after his move to Mercedes face a moment of truth, with Hamilton’s team arriving in the Mediterranean principality on the back of three pole positions in a row.
Mercedes have faded in races so far, unable to control their car’s insatiable appetite for tyres on a Sunday afternoon, but Monaco’s tight and treacherous streets are kinder on the compounds.
Champions Red Bull have won the jackpot for the past three years, with Australian Mark Webber triumphant in 2012 after also winning in 2010, but Mercedes’ qualifying form threatens their run of success.
“They [Mercedes] will arrive as favourites for Monaco,” said Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso after he won his home race in Spain this month.
“They’ve been on pole position for the last three races, they were on pole last year with Michael’s [Schumacher] lap, so it would be a surprise if they weren’t on pole position in Monaco.”
Hamilton’s teammate Nico Rosberg will be just as much of a threat, with the German – who grew up in Monaco with the circuit part of his daily journey to school – chasing a hat-trick of poles after Bahrain and Spain.
Red Bull’s triple world champion Sebastian Vettel leads the standings after five races, four points ahead of Lotus’s Kimi Raikkonen and 17 clear of Alonso in third place.
Meanwhile, tyre suppliers Pirelli, who have brought their softest tyres to the race, expect drivers to have to make no more than two visits to the pits.
Lotus confident Raikkonen will stay
Lotus remain confident that Kimi Raikkonen will continue with the team in 2014 despite reported interest from Red Bull, according to Sky Sports.
Raikkonen’s contract expires at the end of the year and has been heavily linked with Red Bull after technical director James Allison’s resignation.
“We know we want Kimi to drive for us next year, but then we also know Kimi’s character well, which means you can’t force him to do anything,” said Lotus owner Gerard Lopez.
“I know he’s happy, and at this stage if he had to
choose, I know where he would be.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 23rd, 2013.
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