The 2023 F1 Season heads for its most sparkling event this weekend, and the one even pre-Netflix converts could remember and here to predict the winners and losers in advance is our 2023 Monaco F1 Grand Prix Preview.
The Gurgler’s 2023 Monaco F1 Grand Prix Preview brings some thoughts on the race itself, a few bold predictions here and there, a few barely interesting stats.
Essentially a quick summary of what a casual F1 fan needs in the shortest possible time.
It’s a track that doesn’t need too much explanation from us. A track that will hopefully outlive some of the recent Netflix era hype of Miami Grand Prix, or the oil-ready Grands Prix of the middle east, or ticking some kind of other business box.
Sure it is outdated and slow compared to some modern tracks, and impossible to pass on (which track isn’t these days) and everything else, but it is Monaco.
The absurdity of continuing to race on this track is what makes it so good, with walls there to truly bite the over-confident and incompetent. The hairpin which slows the cars down like no other. The tunnel and the drop down towards the chicane which is not as prominent on TV as in real life.
Then there’s the iconic corner names as outlined on the track image above. Sure the race will be boring without rain, but you still get to spend an hour and three quarters watching in amazement that these cars still go round.
2023 Monaco F1 Grand Prix Preview – Race Rating
The Gurgler does like to use some obscure drivers in our Race previews and report, so who better to use than Teo Fabi to determine a race rating system.
So before each race we give a rating out of ten for four key category that are loosely based on each letter of Teo Fabi’s surname. Don’t know who Teo Fabi is, you should.
FAST? 4/10 – Well overall it is pretty bloody slow, but there are some super fast fast parts. Like through the tunnel, going up the hill towards the Casino and around the swimming pool area seems faster than it probably is given the tightness of the layout.
ACTION? 8/10 – It certainly has potential, with the barriers, and occasional spots of rain. But if Max Verstappen takes pole and it’s dry, it could also be as boring as.
BIG HISTORY? – 10/10 There’s no better track in F1 for history, and history and a few yachts keeps it on the calendar.
INCLEMENT WEATHER? – 10/10 According to The Weather Channel, there’s an 75% chance of rain on Saturday and 50% on Sunday. And Monaco has unpredictable weather at the best of times. Let’s just hope for no repeat of last year from the stewards.
RACE RATING 80% – Anything could happen, and it probably will.
Want to know if your favourite driver for this weekend is a master of the track or the track is a master of them? Here then are some barely interesting facts and stats.
There’s almost too many stats and facts to bring you this week. Most stats go back to 2000.
GRID POSITION vs RACE RESULT FROM 2000
GRID POSITION vs FINISHING POSITION FROM 2000
99 = a DNF. Gird position 20 is overstated as that was also used for cars starting in pitlane.
- Qualifying will be wet and take close to two hours. At the end of it Max Verstappen will still take pole position.
- Alex Albon and Nico Hulkenberg and McLarens to qualify in the top ten
- Nico Hulkenberg will finish top six.
- Alpine drivers will wipe each other out at the first corner.
- Logan Sargeant will have at least three minor accidents over the weekend.
- Charles Leclerc will crash at the Swimming Pool in one part of qualifying.
- George Russell will finish on the podium.
As ever we like to reminisce about Formula 1 here at The Gurgler, with the fondest of memories of 1980’s / 1990’s Formula 1. Especially with the Voice of F1 Murray Walker providing the soundtrack.
There’s plenty of good Monaco races to go back to, and as ever we’ll probably whip up the same old ones we offer every year.
1982 MONACO GRAND PRIX
Where a normal Monaco Grand Prix was interrupted by rain late, leading to chaos and a situation where fans were waiting around for a winner to arrive as multiple cars broke down on the last two laps.
1996 MONACO GRAND PRIX
Where Olivier Panis won as an 200-1 outsider from 14th on the grid. Just three cars were circulating at the end after the race started wet and wiped out a bunch of cars at the start. Panis did provide all of the overtaking moves during the race.
1997 MONACO GRAND PRIX
A Michael Schumacher masterclass. And a decent drive from Rubens Barrichello in the Stewart-Ford. Also Mika Salo in the Tyrrell made it without a fuel stop, in an era when fuel stops were common.
