P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The Red Bull drivers are all doom and gloom about their chances of taking on Ferrari in Monaco – but are they right to be? And how does McLaren fit into the picture?
A competitive yet uncertain scenario unfolded in Monaco on Friday, with heavy traffic adding a challenge. Charles Leclerc displayed impressive performance in his Ferrari over a single lap, highlighting struggles for Red Bull with their set-up. Despite Leclerc’s strong showing, he expressed concern over his long run pace, comparing it to his teammate Carlos Sainz. Sainz, leading in long runs, acknowledged there is room for improvement in finetuning the Ferrari’s performance. Various challenges emerged, such as tyre graining and car handling issues, affecting teams like McLaren, Mercedes, and both Red Bull drivers. Verstappen and Perez faced difficulties with the bumpy track, affecting lap times and overall performance. The upcoming race in Monaco is expected to be a one-stop strategy with the medium tyre offering optimal speed, shaping the teams’ race plans.
