Following some notable upgrades to the Renault power train and some fantastic driving by both Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel, in Spain Red Bull Racing took their best result of the season so far with third and fourth respectively. They must be hoping to build on this at Formula One’s most prestigious race; the Monaco Grand Prix.
On paper, this track really suits Red Bull: very little in terms of straights, maximum downforce required and lots of slow speed corners. This reflects in the results ever since the team came onto the grid in 2005. David Coulthard achieved the team’s first podium there in 2006. In 2010, Mark Webber and Vettel finished 1st and 2nd. One year later they finished 1st and 4th with Vettel winning. The same result occurred a year later but the other way around, and last year they split the Mercedes who, on the day, were notably quicker to finish 2nd and 3rd.
The RB10 is clearly improving. The car appears a tad sluggish on the start line which could cost them in Monaco but it has incredible speed through the corners. Even without the exhaust-blown diffuser which Red Bull relied on so much in recent years to make up for the lack of straight-line speed, they should still be incredibly quick on the streets of Monte-Carlo.
The question on everybody’s lips at the moment is “who can beat Mercedes?” and the first response from most is Red Bull (many tipped a Red Bull driver to win at Monaco). While I think that a win may be a bit of a tall order on pace alone, I think there may be a challenge for pole position and certainly for a podium finish. Who knows, if a safety car or rain (which has been forecast) interrupts the race, we could well have a four, or even more-horse race on our hands.
No. 1 Sebastian Vettel (GER) – 4th
Form: R/3/6/5/4
2013: Grid: P3, Race: P2
If Vettel doesn’t have the problems that plagued him last time out in Spain, he certainly has to be a contender for pole position. We will have to wait and see what the race pace is compared to the Mercedes, as we don’t really know how either car will react to the street circuit, but Vettel, being a former winner and polesitter, knows what it takes to do well here, just like the Mercedes drivers. Interestingly, every dry race here over the last 10 years has been won from pole. So if Vettel can shock everybody and take pole, you wouldn’t bet against him holding on in the race Ayrton Senna style. The guy can race, as we saw at Spain.
No. 3 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) – 5th
Form: D/R/4/4/3
2013 (Driving for Toro Rosso): Grid: P12, Race: Retired on lap 61 – Collision with Grosjean
The hugely popular Australian is really making a name for himself. He has won here from pole twice in 2010 and in 2011 while in the Formula Renault 3.5 series and, like his teammate, he knows how to win here. It will be interesting to see how he performs in a top car in F1 this time around and will hope to finish the race in Monaco; something he hasn’t done in F1. He’ll be hoping to build on the podium he earned in the last race. You never know, it may be him, and not Vettel who challenges the Mercedes duo this weekend!
Heading into Thursday practice (free practice is on a Thursday at Monaco rather than Friday), I think all eyes will be on Red Bull to see if they have the pace to challenge here, as expected. They say that Monaco is a pure driver’s circuit, but having a good chassis and a good setup is also important. Red Bull have a good chassis and usually set up the car pretty well. We should have a race on our hands come Sunday.
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