Is the Monaco GP the Most Controversial Race on the F1 Calendar? | Grid Walk May 25, 2023

It is a jam packed week in motorsport! Briana and Nicole are so excited to watch the F1 Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 back to back (as long as they can emotionally handle Monaco, looking at you Scuderia Ferrari and Charles Leclerc).So Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is bringing upgrades to the F1 Monaco Grand Prix?? Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were supposed to be introducing these upgrades in Imola but the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was canceled. Due to complicate logistics Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team will race their new upgrades for the first time on the narrow streets and tight corners of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix.The Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most historic races in motorsports. It is also one of the most controversial amongst F1 fans as their opinions are split on whether Monaco should remain on the calendar. What makes the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix so controversial? What is happening this year with the broadcasting rights to the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix? Monaco was once the only race that F1 didn’t have control of production of the race broadcast, is that still the case? The narrow streets of Monaco may lead to less overtakes in the race but that doesn’t mean it is a bad race! Briana and Nicole discuss tips on how to watch a low overtake race. With the cancellation of the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, all F1 teams had to scrap all of the social media content that they had planned for the weekend. Formula 1 teams had to think on the fly in order to stay in front of the minds of fans without a grand prix. How did BWT Alpine F1 Team have an impressively quick response? What event did Williams Racing host? Was F1 TV always planning to introduce their new F1 Preview Show this weekend? Why doesn’t Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake utilize their charismatic drivers Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas for content like they should?Briana and Nicole continue their season-long battle of Formula 1 race predictions with the F1 Monaco Grand Prix! Did the chaos of Monaco have Briana and Nicole change their P1 prediction from Max Verstappen? Will Scuderia Ferrari be on the podium? What F1 driver will just make it in the points in P10? Will rain in Monaco bring in the new Pirelli wet tires?In honor of the F1 Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, Grid Walk is bringing you a BONUS EPISODE this week! It will be the Triple Crown Special! Take a deep dive with Briana and Nicole through the history of the Triple Crown. Do all motorsports drivers agree on what the Triple Crown is? Why is the F1 Monaco Grand Prix such a big deal historically? What about the F1 Monaco Grand Prix makes it a particularly difficult tech challenge? Hear a complete rooting guide for a Formula 1 fan watching the Indianapolis 500 and learn everything you need to know before race day on Sunday! Bonus Episode will be live Friday, May 26th, 2023!Grid Walk is a weekly Formula 1 show that releases every Thursday. For daily F1 content follow @gridwalkshow on all social media platforms.

- Hosts Briana L. Klein and Nicole Katz discuss the upcoming Monaco GP and the challenges of having it scheduled on the same weekend as the Indy 500.
- They express their concerns about the stress and potential impact on their mental health.

**Monaco GP Controversy:**

- The hosts delve into the controversy surrounding the Monaco GP, acknowledging that it is a polarizing race among fans.
- They discuss the arguments for and against the race, including its unique characteristics, narrow streets, and lack of overtaking opportunities.

**F1 Broadcasting Monaco:**

- The hosts highlight the significance of F1 taking over the broadcasting of the Monaco GP this year, ending the previous arrangement where Monaco handled its own broadcast.
- They express excitement about the potential improvements in production quality and storytelling, which could lead to a better viewing experience.

**Marketing and PR Strategies:**

- The hosts analyze the marketing and PR strategies employed by F1 teams and drivers during the weekend when the Imola race was canceled.
- They discuss the various initiatives, such as live streams, interactive content, and studio shows, that teams used to fill the void and maintain fan engagement.

**F1's New Studio Show:**

- The hosts review F1's new studio show, which debuted during the Imola weekend, featuring Julian Palmer, Lawrence Barreto, Will Buxton, and Sam Collins.
- They praise the format, the familiar faces, and the potential for further development and expansion of the show.

**Watching Low-Overtake Races:**

- The hosts offer tips for watching low-overtake races, such as focusing on the strategic battles, the narratives surrounding the race, and the skill of the drivers in preventing overtakes.
- They emphasize the importance of appreciating the different challenges and storylines that these races can present.

**Navigating Low Overtake Formula One Races: Strategies and Insights**

1. **Enhancing Race Viewing Experience:**
- Utilize live timing to track driver positions and sector times.
- Activate the driver tracker feature to monitor battles and gaps between drivers.
- Compare lap times and mini-sectors to assess tire performance and degradation.

2. **Incorporating Driver Onboards:**
- Utilize multiple screens or F1 TV multiviewer to display driver onboards.
- Observe driver inputs, steering wheel adjustments, and car behavior.
- Compare onboards of battling drivers to gain different perspectives.

3. **Race Predictions for the Monaco Grand Prix:**
- Max Verstappen remains the favorite for victory due to his consistent performance.
- Carlos Sainz is predicted to finish in P4, considering his historical average finishing position in Monaco.
- Lewis Hamilton is placed at P4, aiming for a higher position to avoid being stuck behind Fernando Alonso.
- Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel are chosen as the best of the rest, with positive vibes surrounding their potential.
- Alex Albon is a surprise pick for P10, acknowledging the improved performance of Williams.
- Alpine is considered the best of the bottom five teams, offering the safest prediction.

4. **Sector Notes and Team Updates:**
- Pirelli introduces new wet tires without tire blankets, potentially leading to controversies.
- Red Bull continues to dominate the driver market, with Nyck de Vries likely to depart soon.
- Ferrari rumors suggest Charles Leclerc will wear a special all-white race suit with a diamond-themed Puma merch line.
- Mercedes announces the use of biofuels for European freight and track generators, reducing emissions significantly.
- Alpine, owned by Renault, seeks to sell a minority share of its racing division.
- Valtteri Bottas participates in a gravel bike race during his weekend off.
- Wolfgang Puck partners with Aston Martin, creating recipes for hospitality and featuring his logo on the car.
- Haas faces limitations in making quick concept changes due to parts purchased from Ferrari.
- McLaren unveils a special Monaco livery celebrating the team's Triple Crown achievements.
- Williams introduces a golf-themed livery for the Monaco Grand Prix, fulfilling fan requests.

5. **Additional Information:**
- The Triple Crown special bonus episode provides insights into IndyCar, the Indy 500, and the significance of Monaco.
- Follow Gridwalk Show on social media platforms for daily updates and engage with the hosts.