F1 track guide: Hamilton and Bottas head to ‘classic’ Monaco Grand Prix eyeing sixth one-two for Mercedes
F1 heads to Azerbaijan next as Lewis Hamilton looks to win a sixth world title.
Here’s SunSport’s Ben Hunt gives you the lowdown on the upcoming tracks the Brit must navigate to be successful.
Monaco GP
Give us the lowdown.
The classic. Set in a beautiful location yet the racing itself is somewhat rather processional due to the lack of overtaking opportunities. Monte Carlo is a great event and the race every driver wants to win.
How tricky is it?
Very. The streets are narrow and the walls are close meaning even the slightest mistake is punished. A broken car in qualifying will have a big impact on where a driver will finish the race as overtaking is almost impossible.
What’s the history?
Monaco has bucket loads and has seen some fantastic winners in the past. All of the greats have won there but it takes bravery and skill, plus a little bit of luck. It would be good to see a young driver win it this season.
Which drivers does it suit?
While Mercedes and Ferrari have the potential to win, the layoff of Monaco means that power is not always as crucial. Better cornering speed is more important and that plays into Red Bull’s hands. Shhh…but McLaren could also be in with a shout of making the podium.
Canadian GP
Give us the lowdown.
Fantastic race set on an island in the Saint Lawrence Seaway just across from downtown Montreal. This track has it all; long straights, flowing corners and tight turns. Get the car hooked up and you can dominate, get it wrong and it is a nightmare.
How tricky is it?
The Wall of Champions is the trickiest part, which is the final turn before crossing the line. The idea is for drivers to kiss the wall, getting as close as they can without damaging their cars, yet get too greedy and you’ve a damaged car and almost certainly out of the race.
What’s the history?
The track runs around the man-made island used to host the canoeing and rowing events for the 1976 Olympic Games. This will be the 56th Canadian GP and has been held at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve since 1978.
Which drivers does it suit?
Michael Schumacher loved racing in Canada and won there seven times. Lewis Hamilton also goes well there and has picked up six wins and sits one shy of Schumacher’s record.
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French GP
Give us the lowdown.
Returned to the calendar last season and certainly looked impressive on the TV with all the freshly-painted Tarmac and vivid blue swirly lines. However, for those who attended the race, it was mainly remembered for the congestion getting in and out of the track, with four-hour delays common.
How tricky is it?
Not very. Huge run off areas make this circuit and ideal test track, which it was until it returned to the calendar. It does mean however, drivers can push that little bit harder, leading to some mistakes.
What’s the history?
Take your pick. France can lay claim to having staged the first Grand Prix race on 26 June 1906. It’s since moved venues a few times but Michael Schumacher has the most victories there (eight), two more than local hero, Alain Prost.
Which drivers does it suit?
Lewis Hamilton made it look easy at Circuit Paul Ricard last year but he was followed home by Max Verstappen and then Kimi Raikkonen, so any of the big three teams are in with a shout.
Austrian GP
Give us the lowdown.
Beautiful race track set within the Austrian hills, this race is proving extremely popular with the Dutch fans of Max Verstappen. Great views, decent circuit and with a reputation for serving up exciting races. Forget France, Belgian and German GPs, the Austrian GP should be on your wish-list.
How tricky is it?
This is a technical challenge throughout. Rather like a rollercoaster the first couple of corners are uphill and then it’s all downhill. Turns One and Two are difficult, especially at the start with cars going three or four abreast.
What’s the history?
The Red Bull Ring, as it is now know, returned to the F1 calendar in 2014 following some major redevelopment. The A1 ring was mainly remembered for when Ferrari used team orders to ensure Michael Schumacher won there in 2002. It’s final race was in 2004 before being purchased by Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz.
Which drivers does it suit?
Up until last year, Mercedes held the keys to the Red Bull Ring, having dominated there since 2014. However, that all changed with Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas both suffered mechanical problems, allowing Max Verstappen to win in 2018.
British GP
Give us the lowdown.
Home to the very first F1 world championship race in 1950, Silverstone has changed a lot since then. Expect another sell-out as fans flock to Northamptonshire hoping to see some more home success for Lewis Hamilton. Silverstone do a good job of putting on a show, with concerts and plenty of off-track entertainment, too.
How tricky is it?
Drivers love the track because when they get it right, there is no better feeling that building up speed and sweeping through the testing corners at Maggotts and Beckets. High speed and hard on the tyres and brakes, this track is a real test.
What’s the history?
Unsurprisingly, the track is popular with British drivers. Jim Clark, Lewis Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, Stirling Moss, Jackie Stewart and David Coulthard, Damon Hill, Johnnu Herbert, John Watson, James Hunt have all won there.
Which drivers does it suit?
Aside from the Brits, Sebastian Vettel enjoys it, he especially did in 2018. He could be in with another shout this season, if Ferrari manage to string it all together.
German GP
Give us the lowdown.
Despite seeing Mercedes dominate and them having a star driver in Sebastian Vettel, the Germans have fallen out of love with F1. Not too sure why, but this race’s future is always in doubt. Shame, because it’s usually a good one.
How tricky is it?
Like Silverstone, Hockenheim is another technically difficult track to master. A combination of fast corners, straights and four heavy breaking zones also means it is hard on tyres and brakes, especially towards the end of the race.
What’s the history?
Historically, this is a Ferrari track. The Italian team have won the German GP more than any other team, although that does include when it was held at the Nurburgring. In recent years, it has been dominated by Mercedes.
Which drivers does it suit?
Mercedes have won the German GP on the past three occasions with Lewis Hamilton (twice) and Nico Rosberg (once). Incredibly Vettel has never won the F1 GP when it has been held at Hockenheim.
Hungarian GP
Give us the lowdown.
The final race before the summer shutdown. It is always interesting to see which drivers are already mentally on the beach. This time of year also sees the start of the speculation about who will be racing where next season.
How tricky is it?
This can be a hard, testing track, especially if it is hot, and even more so, if it is wet. Lewis Hamilton stormed to a sensational pole in Budapest in 2018 in difficult conditions and ultimately went on to win the race.
What’s the history?
One driver has dominated here in the recent past, the aforementioned Hamilton. The world champion has six wins at the Hungaroring, more than any other driver. He loves the place.
Which drivers does it suit?
Aside from Hamilton, this race suits those who leave it late to brake and who can conger up overtakes from nothing. That would leave Daniel Ricciardo, who has gone well there with Red Bull in the past, but it could be trickier this season in his Renault.