Charles Leclerc is the hot favorite for the Monaco Grand Prix pole position, believes Tom Clarkson. The F1 expert put his money on the Monegasque despite the curse that has been haunting him for ages.
The track of Principality and Leclerc doesn’t go hand in hand. At least, it didn’t in the last few years. Despite being the homeboy at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Ferrari star could barely do anything to mark his return to F1 in Monaco.
The 25-year-old, who debuted in the sport back in 2018 with Sauber, didn’t manage to take out a single mention-worthy performance at Monte Carlo. With 2018 and 2019 going as a weak display, 2021 and 2022 were somewhat better.
Keeping out the 2020 Monaco GP when the fixture was canceled due to Covid-19 and the 1974 Ferrari crash, the 2021 and 2022 GPs saw two back-to-back pole positions from the Monegasque. However, the former race saw a DNS, and the latter saw a strategy blunder from Ferrari.
Clarkson backs Charles Leclerc yet again
The F1 journalist has backed the Ferrari star yet again ahead of the Principality race. Despite the curse, Clarkson thinks that Leclerc is the hot favorite to be in the pole position.
Speaking about it in F1 Nation Podcast, the 45-year-old said, “When you look at Charles Leclerc’s record on street tracks, two pole positions in Baku, with a car that is brilliant through slow corners, I think Charles is my money for pole positions this time around.”
Following this, he mentioned that it is unlikely that the Prancing Horse will commit the same blunder as they did in 2022. Hence, they can take the win from pole position on Sunday.
“If everything I’ve just said plays out, Ferrari is quicker than the Red Bull and the Aston Martin through the slow corners and there are no fast corners at Monaco, and he is my money for pole,” the journalist further added.
Why Clarkson chose Leclerc over Verstappen, Perez?
The F1 expert’s choice to pick the Monegasque over the defending champion of Alonso seemed interesting. However, he has got his reasons for it.
Speaking about it, the 45-year-old focused on the advantage SF-23 has over RB-19. The Red Bull challengers are undoubtedly the fastest, but it lacks in one section where the Ferraris are stronger.
First pole of the season, it feels really good and the lap was 🔥
The feeling with the car was really good too, proud @ScuderiaFerrari ❤️ pic.twitter.com/edaZ7tmxV9— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) April 28, 2023
Clarkson asserted that the Ferraris are faster through the slow corners, and in Monaco, there are many slow corners, which is a disadvantage for Max Verstappen and Co.
Talking about Leclerc, he also added, “I don’t think there’s a faster driver on the street tracks over one lap than Charles Leclerc,” and hence his money is on the Monegasque despite the curse.
