“We head into the weekend knowing they are the team to beat, whilst also knowing we’ll face strong competition from some of the other teams” – Toto Wolff
Mercedes head into round 5 of the 2021 Formula One World Championship ready for another close fight with Red Bull as this year’s epic grapple for the title continues.
The high downforce track favours the charging bulls, and so team principal Toto Wolff has said they “head into the weekend knowing they are the team to beat.”
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.
Teams and drivers will head out on Thursday for Free Practice, and will be looking to utilise every minute on track ahead of Qualifying on Saturday.
Speaking about the weekend ahead, Toto Wolf said; “We can’t wait to be back in action on the streets of Monte Carlo!
“It’s such a unique, intense weekend for the drivers and the team, with no margin for error. It puts the fire under your ass, and we love the challenge!
“Monaco is a high downforce track and we know that’s a key strength of Red Bull. They were very quick in sector three in Spain and that’s often a good indication of strong performance in Monaco.
“So, we head into the weekend knowing they are the team to beat, whilst also knowing we’ll face strong competition from some of the other teams, too.
“But, just like the season so far, we’re enjoying the hunt.
“The last time we were racing in Monaco was shortly after Niki’s passing. So, he won’t be far from our thoughts this year, either.”
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.
