Formula 1 2024: Talking Points Ahead Of The Monaco Grand Prix

The glamour returns to the Formula One (F1) calendar this weekend as the streets of Monte Carlo prepare to host the revered Monaco Grand Prix. 

Monaco is widely recognised as the crown jewel of F1 due to its rich history of producing iconic moments. Every driver wants to conquer Monaco – a circuit renowned for delivering captivating drama when you least expect it.

This year’s edition is expected to continue that trend, promising a thrilling battleground for the main championship contenders.

The narrow streets of Monte Carlo offer little room for error, making the qualifying session the most important of the year and one which can’t be missed ahead of the showpiece on Sunday.

Here are some of the talking points ahead of the highly anticipated event.

Australian Duo Aiming for a Points Finish

Australian driver Oscar Piastri’s impressive talent was on display when he went toe to toe with Max Verstappen in qualifying at the recent Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

The 23-year-old will fancy his chances of finishing in the points in Monaco, but the same cannot be said about his compatriot Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo is on a mission to dig himself out of mediocrity after an awful start to the campaign and he has started showing signs of life.

He delivered his best qualifying result of the season in Imola but faltered on race day. An inability to maintain a steady pace has been a recurring issue for the Australian.

Ricciardo started Imola in a season-high ninth spot but eventually finished outside the points and is languishing in 14th place in the Driver’s Championship.

His recent form hasn’t inspired confidence, so it would be unsurprising if he’s overlooked by sports bettors this weekend. However, he could upset the odds if he produces his best form.

Australian punters may well keep the faith with Ricciardo and pairing him in a double with Piastri to claim a points finish could pay dividends.

His odds of success vary across different platforms, but this list of online betting sites in Australia should help punters make informed decisions about their bets.

Verstappen Dominating Once Again

Verstappen will head to the streets of Monte Carlo firmly in the driver’s seat for a historic fourth consecutive championship title with Red Bull.

The reigning champion has started the season as he means to go on, racing to the summit of the drivers’ standings with 161 points.

Verstappen held off Piastri’s McLaren teammate Lando Norris in a dramatic end to the race in Imola, winning by just 0.725 seconds to secure his 59th race victory.

Red Bull and Verstappen were under real pressure for the first time in a long time, especially after a tight margin in qualifying and an even tighter gap in the race.

However, his experience and in-car skills proved crucial in fending off Norris to secure his sixth win of the season which extended his championship advantage to 48 points.

Verstappen will be looking to continue his dominance in Monaco, but he may need to produce some more magic when he tackles the tricky circuit this weekend.

Hamilton’s Last Dance with Mercedes in Danger of Imploding

Lewis Hamilton’s final season with Mercedes isn’t going according to script. The Mercedes W15 has been nothing but trouble for the British driver, who has labelled this season as the ‘worst start’ of his illustrious F1 career.

The usually unflappable seven-time world champion has grown frustrated with the repeated troubles with Mercedes this season.

Hamilton went into the 2024 campaign with plenty of optimism, but that has since dissolved into a sea of disappointment for both him and the Mercedes team.

He has struggled to recover from his disastrous start, sitting eight on the drivers’ standings after collecting a meagre 35 points heading into the Monaco GP.

Hamilton has won in Monaco on three previous occasions (2008, 2016 & 2019), but it would be a major shock if he emerges victorious this weekend.

With a move to Ferrari on the horizon for 2025, Hamilton will be eager to put this forgettable season behind him and focus on a fresh start with a new team.