In just a few days’ time, Formula One will take to the famous streets of Monaco for round 5 in the 2021 championship season.
It’s been nearly two years since the drivers took to the Circuit de Monaco due to the Covid-19 pandemic having major effects on the 2020 calendar.
Lewis Hamilton remains at the top of the Drivers’ Standings this season with 94 points after an impeccable race strategy saw him take the win in the final laps of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Remaining ever so close behind in this season’s battle for the title is Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who currently has 80 points.
Sitting in third is the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas, with 47, while McLaren’s Lando Norris is in 4th with 40 points.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, with proceedings kicking off on May 20:
Circuit
The Circuit de Monaco has hosted 66 Grand Prix in Formula One’s history and features 19 corners with just one DRS zone.
Sunday’s race will mark its 67th feature on the F1 calendar and will take place over 78 laps of the 3.337km circuit.
It will run across 260.286km from lights out to chequered flag, with top speeds of 290 km/h expected.
In its history, the McLaren team has been the most successful outfit here, with 15 wins under their belt – while Ayrton Senna remains the most successful driver at this Grand Prix, holding a record of 6 wins.
There are five previous Monaco winners on the grid this weekend in Kimi Raikkonen (2005), Fernando Alonso (2006/2007), Lewis Hamilton (2008/2016/ 2019), Sebastian Vettel (2011/2017), and Daniel Ricciardo (2018).
Weather
Forecasts for the weekend are set to remain clear from Thursday through to Sunday.
Thursday’s probability of rain is a minor 2% with temperature highs of 20C.
Saturday will remain dry as well with temperatures increasing to 23C.
Current predictions show another scorcher on race day with highs of 21C and chances of rain up at 8%.
When/ Where to Watch
Free practice 1 will take place on Thursday, May 20 at 10:30 am Irish time, with FP2 kicking off just hours later at 1:45 pm.
FP3 begins on Saturday, May 22, at 11:00 am GMT and will be followed by Qualifying at 2:00 pm.
For the big day on Sunday, coverage will be on Sky and NOW with lights out at 2:00 pm.
You can catch live coverage of the entire 2021 season, every weekend on Sky Sports F1, or grab a NOW sports package.
Current Standings
