Fantasy F1 Picks and Preview: Monaco Grand Prix - 23rd May 2018

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It’s time to get excited race fans! This weekend Formula 1 returns to its most iconic venue for the most famous race of the year, the ‘jewel in the crown’ that is the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.

The street circuit winds its way up Beau Rivage into Casino Square then heads back down via the famed hairpin before blasting through the tunnel and around the harbour. There is not one part of the track that is not steeped in history.

And this year it comes around just as Mercedes claim the initiative in the championship for the first time in 2018 following Lewis Hamilton’s commanding victory in Spain and Valtteri Bottas making it a Silver Arrows 1-2.

About the race

From 2013-2016, the German manufacturer had a stranglehold on this race too, with Nico Rosberg winning three times and Lewis Hamilton once, but their newly found dominance this year will likely be short-lived with the tight and twisty nature of the Principality making it perhaps the least suited of all the circuits to the Mercedes car.

Instead, it was Ferrari who were unstoppable on the streets 12 months ago, as Kimi Raikkonen claimed his first pole since 2008 only for Sebastian Vettel to clinch the victory in the race. The Scuderia will likely start as favourites to win again but Red Bull are the specialists in Monaco meaning an epic battle could well be in store.

Track position is usually everything on the narrow layout that is known for often processional races. That means qualifying is arguably the most important session of the entire weekend although should things start to get crazy in the race with Safety Cars and other factors intervening almost any result is possible.

Just ask Olivier Panis, who won from 14th in the rain in 1996 with just three cars reaching the finish. And who can forget Jules Bianchi scoring Marussia’s first F1 points in 2014 with a remarkable drive to ninth.

With the barriers lurking to punish any mistake, survival is often the key to success at this event. That said, here are our tips for your fantasy Formula 1 picks this weekend.

Top driver picks
Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull ($20.2m)
Since joining Red Bull in 2014, Ricciardo has always been one of the shining stars around Monaco.
The Australian produced one of the most breathtaking laps in recent history to claim his one and only pole so far in 2016 and was dominating the wet race on Sunday before a botched pit-stop handed the win to Hamilton.

This year, the ‘Honey Badger’ has been on top form again and with the RB14 perhaps the most competitive chassis he has had in the hybrid era, stopping him will require a mighty performance.

Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari ($27.6m)
What could prevent Ricciardo from getting his redemption, however, is Ferrari’s pace in qualifying and that is why Vettel is probably the man to beat. Interestingly, it is very difficult to choose between the German and teammate Kimi Raikkonen for this pick as the Finn has remained more than a match this season.

The 2007 champion also claimed pole here last year but, the niggling thought that the Italian team will do what it can to ensure Vettel gets the better result, as was suspected in Monaco last year, is why he gets the nod.

Charles Leclerc, Sauber ($6.1m)
When thinking of a top midfield pick it would be usual to think of Fernando Alonso in a McLaren that should be the fourth best car on the grid or a Renault that has proven so consistent in every race so far. However, on a roll of two consecutive points results and with the realization of a dream of competing in his first home race, Leclerc would be a good asset to have on your team.

While many could be overwhelmed by the occasion, there’s just this feeling that the Sauber driver will embrace it, just as Bianchi did before him, and with the Swiss team likely to be more competitive for a place in Q2, should the race start to get a little crazy a third consecutive top 10 finish is more than possible.

Worst driver picks
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes ($31.1m)
The world champion may be heading to Monaco on a high from winning in Spain but if Mercedes are not the third best team this weekend then it would be a big surprise. Hamilton also had a disastrous race last season, starting only 14th on the grid after being caught out by a crash in Q2 before recovering to P7 in the race. Though it likely won’t be that bad, it would require an extraordinary set of circumstances for the Briton to stand on the top step on Sunday.

Sergio Perez, Force India ($13.2m)
A former Monaco podium scorer but Perez finds himself over-priced given the competitiveness of his Force India currently. That will only be exaggerated in Monte Carlo as the chassis has been a weakness and plenty of other midfield teams, including Sauber and Toro Rosso will fancy their chances of beating the ‘pink panthers’ on the streets in the South of France.

Top team pick: Red Bull ($20m)
Though they fell short of heightened expectations in Spain, Red Bull does remain the best combination of competitiveness and value, particularly in Monaco.

Ricciardo and Max Verstappen, potentially rejuvenated after his podium in Barcelona, certainly have the ability to claim a 1-2 finish as well, the only doubt is whether Ferrari can be close enough their high downforce setup to make the extra tenth or two they will gain with engine power in qualifying enough to steal the show.

There are our picks and preview for the Monaco Grand Prix, now all you need to do is sign up and play. Good luck!

That’s all for this week’s analysis. Be sure to pick a team and win your share of guaranteed cash prizes watching the Monaco Grand Prix, including a seat in the $20,000 Formula 1 final.