Vettel desperate for 2011 Monaco qualifying repeat
Published:Firmly back on European soil, the Formula One circus rolls into every boy’s dream playground – Monte Carlo. The riches on offer for the race winner go so much further than the 25 points for victory and a shiny trophy – it’s all about the prestige of seeing their name in the record books in the Grand Prix all drivers crave to win.
Overtaking is traditionally one of the most difficult practices on the street circuit, so qualifying performance will be key for teams if they’re to stand any chance of taking the spoils at the end of 78 gruelling laps.
Perhaps, surprisingly, Sebastian Vettel is only second favourite to head the grid when the lights go out, with the ultra-competitive German looking for his third pole position of the season. At 3/1, Red Bull’s lead driver will be desperate to reclaim his position at the head of the field.
Despite taking victory in his home Grand Prix last time out, Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso is confident the Silver Arrows of Lewis Hamilton, and last year’s runner up Nico Rosberg, will be the cars to beat in the principality this year.
The Mercedes’ cars have exceptional speed over the course of a single lap, but despite an inability to conserve their tyres over the course of longer stints, the lack of overtaking opportunities should negate the German outfit’s lack of raw race pace.
As a result, Lewis Hamilton leads the pole position market, at 5/2 to make it a fourth successive pole position for Mercedes, with team mate Rosberg third favourite at 7/2, these two selections could yet prove to be shrewd punts.
Only one thing has been for certain in recent history at the prestigious race, with the past four races having been won by the pole sitter – qualify at the head of the grid & the spoils of victory are almost certain to be yours.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
