Monaco streets could provide Mercedes breakthrough
Published:Nico Rosberg starts the Monaco Grand Prix on pole position in his Mercedes – the third straight accolade for the German – pipping team-mate Lewis Hamilton by less than a tenth of a second.
It’s the second successive front-row lockout for the German team, and a crucial result in it’s efforts to claim a first Grand Prix win of the season.
Recent races have seen the Mercedes men slump back through the field on a Sunday afternoon, but that could all change this time around.
Overtaking in Monaco is nigh-on impossible and the last four races here have been won from the front of the grid.
Tyre wear has hindered the W04 machine all season, but degradation is not a major issue at the venue, which could provide Mercedes the opportunity to romp to victory.
Rosberg is 6/5 to pick up a second career win, at the circuit where his father Keke took a famous victory 20 years ago for Williams, while Hamilton is 3/1 to grab a first chequered flag with his new team.
Red Bull line up third and fourth, after the team were beaten to pole position in the principality for the first time since 2009.
They’ve won each of the past three Grand Prix in Monaco, and arguably boast better race pace than Mercedes.
Provided they can find a way past, then 10/3 on Sebastian Vettel to win from third place, could prove very rewarding.
Team-mate Mark Webber is an even more appealing 14/1.
The Aussie rates the Monaco circuit one of his favourites and is something of an expert around the streets, having won twice previously, including last year.
Fernando Alonso has generally been the season’s strongest driver during a race, but has been slightly off the pace so far this weekend.
Despite this the Spaniard has come alive in races this season, and is 12/1 to win from sixth on the grid and claim a third Monaco victory.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
