Red Bull not seen as favourites for victory in Monaco: 'Ferrari are faster in the corners'

Tom Clarkson says that neither Max Verstappen nor Sergio Pérez will be victorious in Monaco next weekend. The reporter thinks that Charles Leclerc has a real chance of winning his home race, as the SF-23 of Ferrari runs excellently in slow corners. In addition, it is not going to be an easy weekend for the drivers either, as it is likely to rain. On a wet track, Clarkson actually gives Fernando Alonso the best chances to win.

Red Bull Racing have managed to win each of the first five races of the season. The question, however, is whether the Austrian racing stable can triumph again at the Monaco circuit, which requires a specific set-up. 'I have to honestly admit that I do not think any of the Red Bulls are going to win,' Clarkson said at the F1 Nation podcast. 'If I already had to choose between one of the two, then it is difficult. Pérez is really a specialist during street racing. But the momentum does lie with Max.'

'Ferrari are faster there than Red Bull'

The journalist does know, however, that he cannot rule out a win by Verstappen or Pérez. 'Of course the Red Bulls are competing for victory in Monaco.' Still, Red Bull do have a weakness. 'If you look at the data from the slow corners, you can see that the Ferrari is faster than the Red Bull and the Aston Martin is on the same level. Looking at Leclerc's history on street circuits and the two pole positions in Baku, I do have to put my money on Charles.'

'There is simply no faster driver over one lap on a street circuit,' Clarkson continued. Leclerc has had a lot of bad luck at his home race in recent years, though. Last season things went wrong for the Monegasque due to a strategic error by Ferrari. Clarkson does not expect them to make the same mistake again, however. 'I expect Ferrari to just get the job done on Sunday. Besides, Leclerc is driving a car he feels good in anyway, as Ferrari have delayed the introduction of the update package.'

'Alonso is just your man then'

There is one important factor that could play a role during the weekend in Monte Carlo, though. For there is a very good chance that it will rain in the principality and that could cause plenty of commotion. 'Which driver would you put all your money on if you don't want to see any mistakes? Fernando Alonso is just your man then. If he has a car as competitive as a Red Bull or a Ferrari and you include the weather conditions, everything points to him getting his 33rd win.'

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