Couch Critic previews the Monte Carlo Grand Prix including his best bets with @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

FORMULA 1 - Monte Carlo Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, 20-23 March

 

OVERVIEW

 

It’s been a tight tussle at the sharp end of the field with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen going at it with little to choose between the two (they have finished 1-2 in all four races thus far). One feels this battle could go down to the wire in 2021 and it’s a question of who will blink first – a mistake leading to a DNF could hand the other a title winning advantage it seems.

 

Just below the top four Ferrari and McLaren look to be locked in a tight battle for the best of the rest behind Red Bull and the Mercs.

 

TRACK PREVIEW

 

Despite the fact that event in Monte Carlo often captures the attention of viewers world-wide, the streets of Monaco are notorious for being tough to pass on. As such qualifying becomes even more crucial in the Principality. The Red Bull’s have to be fast through the slower corners so I’m expecting a really tough tussle between the big dogs yet again. As with any track on the calendar, Hamilton has historical success to look back on but the defending champ does have less success here than most other tracks in recent times.

 

Verdict

 

Bottas is the only one bar Lewis and Max to claim the pole spot thus far in 2021. The last time we raced in Monte Carlo the Finn missed out on pole by less than one tenth of a second. I’m pretty sure the second Mercedes must be getting tired of being the third wheel and the value on this play just looks too big to ignore.

 

Race wise Verstappen will try and do everything in his power to stop his rival from picking up a third straight victory. Even if he doesn’t claim pole the title challenger has been blistering off the starting grid this season so he has every chance of getting to the first corner in the lead of the race. Like many of his peers, he Dutchman resides in Monaco and I expect him to be sipping Champagne from his balcony on Sunday evening.

 

Charles Leclerc is even more of a home town lad than Verstappen. Leclerc’s Ferrari has shown improved pace but he’s had pretty bad luck around his home track.

Look out for a strong showing from Charles this weekend.

 

BETOLIMP BEST BETS

 

Winner in Qualification – Valtteri Bottas @ 7.05

 

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas to both finish on the podium @ 2.00

 

Grand Prix Outright Winner – Max Verstappen @ 2.38

 

Driver to win free practice 1 – Charles Leclerc @ 13.00

 

(Note, all odds quoted are subject to change) 

 

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