Monaco 2024: A Snapshot of Free Practice
Formula 2
The long awaited Monaco race week has finally come. The week begins with Formula 3 first being on the track, followed by Formula 2, and Porsche Super Cup. Formula 1 will begin their stint on Friday. Monaco’s race format has typically followed a 4 day race week versus the typical 3.
The track conditions for both Formula 3 and and Formula 2 were both very slick. For Formula 2, almost all of the drivers had to use their intermediate tires, however, it didn’t help much with the grip, and many drivers slid off into a side street or bumped into the barrier.
Besides the rain, the track is already one of the most difficult tracks on the calendar. The track features 19 turns, tight city streets, elevation gains and drops, tricky “switchback” chicanes, and multiple hairpin turns.
(Monaco Circuit - Formula 1)
To understand a lap in Monaco, I have attached Max Verstappen’s pole earning qualifying lap from 2023.
Throughout the practice session, many yellow flags were given due to the poor traction and, possibly, due to some the younger driver’s inexperience with the track. Almost every driver who did end up in a side street or into the barrier was able to recover and get back on the track, except for one. Franco Colapinto ended up locking up and sliding into the barrier and was unable to save the engine from turning off. If the driver’s engine turns off, and a driver requires outside assistance it means the end of the session/race for them. Fortunately, Franco was able to get at least 30 mins of practice time in ahead of qualifying tomorrow, except most drivers want to be out there for as long as possible in order to extract all the information they can get for qualifying and the races.
The forecast for tomorrow is expected to be dry conditions, meaning, most of the information the drivers gained during the session will be mute for tomorrow. The qualifying session will most likely result with at least one red flag, and possibly a few yellow flags.
The top fastest of the session goes as follows:
Victor Martins
Dennis Hauger
Richard Verschoor
Isack Hadjar
Zak O’Sullivan
Sources:
https://www.formula1.com/en/information/monaco-circuit-de-monaco-monte-carlo.2ZWRtIcSI6ZzVGX1uGRpkJ
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ0bHr8UW7k