Can Charles Leclerc Overtake Max Verstappen on the F1 Monaco Grand Prix?
Lewis Hamilton insists his crew are “virtually there” as they appear to agree a brand new contract with Mercedes – and has denied experiences that Ferrari have approached him.
The 38-year-old’s present contract with the Silver Arrows, the place he has been since 2013, expires on the finish of this season as he’s set to take to the observe on Friday in a revamped Mercedes automobile.
A report this week recommended Ferrari have supplied the seven-time F1 world champion – who has received six of his titles with Mercedes – a £40m-a-year contract to affix the Scuderia from 2024. But Hamilton, who covets a record-breaking eighth crown after lacking out controversially in Abu Dhabi in 2021, revealed that his representatives are near concluding negotiations with Mercedes over an extension.
Carlos Sainz was quickest in first observe, with Fernando Alonso second and Lewis Hamilton third. Max Verstappen was quickest in second observe.
Comply with observe on the Monaco Grand Prix with The Impartial.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: Monaco Grand Prix provides finest likelihood but of finish to Purple Bull supremacy
Weekend preview by Kieran Jackson
The crown jewel. That’s the accompanying slogan alongside the Monaco Grand Prix: a Method 1 staple-event recognized with the sort-of glitz and glamour we noticed final outing in Miami. And can see once more in Las Vegas in November. F1’s obsession with the US has given the principality a direct rival or two stateside, to the extent that its long-term viability within the sport if removed from a certainty, given the issue of overtaking on the observe.
However that’s for an additional day. For now, the famed twists and activates the shores of the French Riviera nonetheless supply probably the most distinctive of challenges for the 20 drivers as they return to motion for the primary time in three weeks. And that distinctiveness ought to, in principle, give Purple Bull their hardest process but in 2023.
Christian Horner’s crew have received all 5 races to this point this season; six should you embrace the dash in Azerbaijan. At a canter, too. But for a automobile which reigns supreme on long-straights and in high-speed corners comes a observe with few long-straights and a collection of low-speed corners.
Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 17:55
Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 17:14
Max Verstappen quickest in FP2!
Because the drivers concluded the session with race runs, Max Verstappen retains his prime spot – nevertheless it’s tight!
His 1:12:462 is the quickest time, with Charles Leclerc 0.065 seconds behind in second. Carlos Sainz, regardless of his crash, was the third-fastest a tenth again – with Fernando Alonso in fourth and Lando Norris in fifth.
6-10: Hamilton, Perez, Bottas, Gasly, Ocon
George Russell, very like the primary session, struggling it appears. He’s down in twelfth.
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Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 17:03
FP2 restarts with 10 minutes to go
Automobiles are again out on observe – other than Carlos Sainz clearly – with simply 10 minutes left of motion in second observe!
Even Alex Albon is now out on the circuit!
Present top-10: Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz, Alonso, Norris, Hamilton, Perez, Bottas, Gasly, Ocon
Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 16:50
RED FLAG thrown!
Carlos Sainz has crashed on the swimming pool chicane! He clatters into the wall!
Purple flag – session stopped!
Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 16:45
The views and sights of F1 in Monaco!
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Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 16:42
Carlos Sainz now quickest with half-hour left
As a lot of the pack swap to comfortable tyres, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz leads the best way with a 1:12:569, with Fernando Alonso two-tenths down in second.
Esteban Ocon a shock identify in third, with Lance Stroll fourth.
5-10: Russell, Hamilton, Verstappen, Bottas, Tsunoda, Perez.
The Purple Bulls now heading out on comfortable tyres. You are feeling as if all of the drivers are lastly within the groove as they set their quickest potential instances at the moment…
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Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 16:32
Max Verstappen quickest in early operating in FP2
The world championship chief Max Verstappen is prime of the pack – with a 1:13:312 – with Sergio Perez three-tenths again, and Carlos Sainz in third, +0.496 secs behind Verstappen.
4-10: Leclerc, Alonso, Russell, Hamilton, Ocon, Magnussen, Gasly
All on mediums in the interim; softs incoming…
Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 16:23
Christian Horner on Aston Martin and Honda’s partnership
Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 16:11
We’re underway with second observe in Monaco!
A giant queue on the finish of the small pit lane in Monaco with a lot of the drivers wanting to get straight on the market with FP2 in Monaco!
Alex Albon, after his heavy shunt in FP1, isn’t prepared in his Williams but – we’ll see how a lot time he can spend out on observe…
Qualifying simulations coming proper up!
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Kieran Jackson26 Could 2023 16:01