What to watch for: Key areas around Monte Carlo

One of the most special weekends on the racing calendar, Monte Carlo hosts Round 4 of the 2024 FIA Formula 3 campaign and offers a truly unique challenge for all the drivers.

Steeped in history, the Principality demands the utmost from drivers across a Qualifying lap and race distance. With the weekend fast approaching, here are a few key areas to keep an eye on this weekend in Monaco.

QUALIFYING GROUPS

As is always the case in Monte Carlo, Qualifying is absolutely crucial to a driver’s hopes in the Principality. Start inside the top 12 and you are on course for a fight to secure points in both races while those outside of the first half of the grid will be in for a tough weekend.

The groups are split between odd and even-numbered cars this weekend, with the opening 16 minutes of the session dedicated to one half of the field before a short break and resumption with the remaining runners.

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A random draw will decide which group goes first and which runs second, but those in the latter group will be feeling confident of their chances heading into Friday’s session, with the best of track conditions theoretically coming in the second half of Qualifying.

Josep María Martí and Gabriele Minì demonstrated last year that a P1 starting position all but guarantees race victory after their Sprint and Feature wins respectively. With overtaking opportunities so limited, Qualifying is the main focus for teams in Monte Carlo. But an on-track pass isn’t impossible…

HOPES AT THE HAIRPIN

The Grand Hotel Hairpin of Turn 6 has been one of the few passing spots in the last few years around the Principality. Coming just after the end of Sector 1, the left-hand hairpin is one of the slowest corners on the calendar and there have been a few passing manoeuvres pulled off there in the past.

Gabriel Bortoleto was one driver who made progress in last year’s event from seventh on the grid, and the 2023 Champion was able to take two places in one move on the opening lap of last year’s Feature Race, moving himself up to fifth position.

With the concertina of the opening lap offering those a potential chance to dive to the inside or bravely risk contact on the outside line, it is one of the few passing places around the circuit.

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LAST OF THE LATE BRAKERS

There is also the chance of an overtake coming into Turn 10 at the Nouvelle Chicane. Running through the tunnel and back out into the light, the downhill braking zone is bumpy and the surface dirty off the racing line, but time a dive to the inside just right and a driver could steal a spot from their rival ahead.

It is a notorious passing place though, with the element of surprise taken away somewhat with it being arguably the only conventional overtaking spot around the track. A driver defending can position their car in the middle of the track and the chance of a pass is all but nullified.

There is also the possibility of contact resulting from a pair of drivers coming together or tagging the inside wall on corner entry.

It’s tough to pass in Monte Carlo, but not impossible.

RISKING IT AT RASCASSE

The final overtaking spot around the circuit comes at the pre-penultimate corner. La Rascasse is hardly a renowned passing point but there is room for two to squeeze their way through the famous complex without ending up in the barriers.

It requires a bit of cooperation from the driver being passed, with the dive to the inside from their rival behind leaving little room on corner exit to avoid ending up in the wall, but it’s doable.

The driver behind has to line up a bold dive to the inside under braking for the right-hander, finding a route through that is just about a car’s width wide.

There is always a chance of contact, and the move is easily defended by not offering the requisite space but catch a rival napping ahead and the impressive passing chance could be on.