Date: 28/05/2023
Venue: Circuit de Monaco
Charles Leclerc is backed to kick-start his season and end a frustrating home hoodoo in our Monaco Grand Prix predictions.
The 25-year-old Monegasque has been fastest in qualifying for the past two years but failed to convert that into success on race day.
A combination of technical issues and poor team tactics have thwarted the Ferrari ace at a venue where being on pole is usually crucial.
However, we’re hoping Leclerc’s luck changes and 7/2 for him to claim victory appeals from the Monaco Grand Prix odds.
It has been a disappointing start to 2023 for last season’s title race runner-up, who has secured just one podium finish in Azerbaijan.
Form figures of 18-DNF-DNS-4 in Monte Carlo are also a major concern, but Leclerc is still looking forward to his home race.
“It is always very special for me because those are the streets where I’ve grown up,” he declared.
“I know this city by heart, wherever I go on the track. I’ve got some friends living right over the track and can see the race from their apartments.”
Reflecting on his course record, Leclerc told the F1 website: “I don’t believe too much in luck, but it’s true when you see the record it has not always been so easy on race day.
“But Saturday was good last year. I hope we can reproduce a good performance this Saturday, with a better Sunday this time.”
Leclerc can also be backed at 6/4 to complete a hat-trick of pole positions in this contest.
Red Bull have been streets ahead of their rivals so far this term and are chasing a third straight Monaco triumph.
However, they are not expecting to have everything their own way on this occasion, with the unique circuit regarded as a great leveller.
“We certainly know it’s not our strongest circuit,” admitted Sergio Perez. “We will struggle a bit to show our strengths, but it’s still Monaco.
“Come Saturday, you still need a good warm-up on your tyre, that is the key around here. Let’s say it’s not our strongest circuit, but we will see. It’s Monaco and everything can happen.”
Max Verstappen added: “We’ve not been very dominant in qualifying here. We have always been very good in the race, but in the race here we know we can’t pass.”
Looking at the Monaco Grand Prix odds, Verstappen is 17/10 to repeat his 2021 success and Perez is 6/1 to back up last year’s victory.
On Sunday, it will be 539 days since Lewis Hamilton last stood on the top step of the podium at the penultimate round of the contentious 2021 season in Saudi Arabia.
Speculation has been rife over the seven-time world champion’s future this week and even a significant upgrade from Mercedes is not expected to be enough.
Hamilton is available at 14/1 to pass the chequered flag in front and 9/4 to make the first three.
Fernando Alonso is more fancied to maintain Aston Martin’s strong start to 2023 at 7/2 and that could tempt some to put the 2006 and 2007 winner in their Monaco Grand Prix betting tips.
Past Monaco GP winners
2022 Perez (Red Bull), Sainz, Verstappen
2021 Verstappen (Red Bull), Sainz, Norris
2019 Hamilton (Mercedes), Vettel, Bottas
2018 Ricciardo (Red Bull), Vettel, Hamilton
2017 Vettel (Ferrari), Raikkonen, Ricciardo
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