Monaco Grand Prix 2018 — Weekend Preview

Round 6 of the 2018 Formula 1 World Championship takes the field to Monte Carlo, Monaco. Monaco Grand Prix — Where Qualifying Is the Race. Lewis Hamilton leads the championship with 95 points, 17 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel.

Driver Championship (entering R6):
P1: Lewis Hamilton — 95 pts (2W, 4P)
P2: Sebastian Vettel — 78 pts (2W, 2P)
P3: Valtteri Bottas — 58 pts (0W, 3P)
P4: Kimi Räikkönen — 48 pts (0W, 3P)
P5: Daniel Ricciardo — 47 pts (1W, 1P)

Constructor Championship:
P1: Mercedes — 153 pts
P2: Ferrari — 126 pts
P3: Red Bull Racing — 80 pts
P4: Renault — 41 pts
P5: McLaren — 40 pts

Monte Carlo is one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, technically demanding, steeped in motorsport history.

Recent winners at Monte Carlo:
- 2026: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 2019: Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
- 2018: Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull Racing)

3 different winners in the last 3 years — no driver has dominated this circuit recently.

Tyre strategy data will be available after practice sessions provide degradation information.

Battles to watch:

Championship battle: Lewis Hamilton vs Sebastian Vettel — 17 points separate them.

P3 vs P4: Valtteri Bottas (58) vs Kimi Räikkönen (48) — just 10 points apart.
P4 vs P5: Kimi Räikkönen (48) vs Daniel Ricciardo (47) — just 1 points apart.
P5 vs P6: Daniel Ricciardo (47) vs Max Verstappen (33) — just 14 points apart.

Understand this race better:

- [Aero Balance](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/aero-balance)
- [Downforce](/f1/learning/tactical-intelligence/downforce)