What to Watch For: A few storylines to look out for at Round 4 in Monaco

The second round of the triple header takes us to the historic streets of Monte Carlo, where the drivers are set to go toe-to-toe in the Principality.

Monaco is the venue for Round 4 of the 2025 Formula 3 season, but before we hit the ground running, here are a few storylines you might want to know about for this weekend…

HOW FAST DO THE DRIVERS ADAPT

Monaco is unique for several reasons, one being that the track action starts on Thursday and we have one session a day, but also because the circuit is like no other.

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It is a low speed, tight, street track and one mistake could see you in the barrier at any corner of the circuit. So, getting up to speed as quickly as possible on Thursday’s Free Practice is key.

That 45-minute outing will be key to the drivers finding the limit of the track and giving them confidence ahead of Qualifying, while also allowing them to finalise their setup for the weekend.

On Formula 3’s two previous visits to Monte Carlo, Gabriele Minì has qualified on pole and won the Feature Race. But the Italian was also the fastest in Free Practice.

So, history suggests being at the top on Thursday is a positive sign for Friday, which usually sets you up for victory on Sunday. Things may be different this year, but they also might not be, and that all adds to the mystic of Monaco.

TIME TO LOOK TO THE SKIES

Another factor both the drivers and teams will have to look out for this weekend is the weather, as the forecast shows there is a chance of rain on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The forecast currently shows showers are more likely to affect the Sprint Race, but any rain that hits the track could make for intriguing viewing.

READ MORE: Taponen frustrated to miss out on a podium in Imola Feature Race

We saw this both Free Practice sessions the last two years when heavy rain fell and impacted the dry weather running, meaning that many of the drivers went in Qualifying with only one or two push laps under their belt.

This put several drivers’ skill and confidence in their cars to the test come Friday and it could do the same again this year, especially in a race setting, where it could add a bit more intrigue to an already fascinating event.

A NEW POLESITTER AND FEATURE RACE WINNER

One thing for certain is that we will be getting a new Feature Race winner this year, but the big question will be who.

As previously mentioned, Minì has won from pole at both of F3’s visits to the Principality, but with his graduation to Formula 2, it means a new driver will have their chance to make history.

Nikola Tsolov is the only driver on the grid to have a win in Monaco, having won the Sprint Race last year, where he was joined by Laurens van Hoepen and Tim Tramnitz. All three will be hopeful of lifting a trophy on the iconic podium again 2025, but so will the rest of the field.

READ MORE: Boya raring to go in Monte Carlo after Imola Feature Race fightback

Rafael Câmara has three Pole Positions in a row to start the year, but his Feature Race win streak ended in Imola by Santiago Ramos. The TRIDENT driver will be keen to return to the top step as quickly as possible.

As for Ramos, the Van Amersfoort Racing driver was confident in Italy that he could contend again in Monte Carlo this weekend given his experience in 2024.

Ugo Ugochukwu is the reigning winner around the streets of Macau, and PREMA Racing have a good history in Monaco, given their three podiums achieved in Monte Carlo including Minì’s win last year, so their confidence will be high.

However, the team with the most trophies collected from the Principality is ART Grand Prix, with four. Tuukka Taponen already has one podium this year, while van Hoepen and James Wharton will want to get their seasons up and running properly this weekend.

It is all speculation for now, but we will find out soon who will etch their name into history, with all 11 teams vying for glory.