Madness in Monaco: Perez, Ferrari, FIA - 2022 Monaco GP Review

The 2022 Monaco Grand Prix was unusual, fun & chaotic. Did the late start & fewer race laps rob us of more fun and chaos on the streets of Monaco?

Soumil & Kunal review the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix on the Inside Line F1 Podcast, along with the stats review segment by @f1statsguru aka Sundaram. 

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Did Sergio Perez win the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix? Or did Ferrari lose it for Charles Leclerc? What could Ferrari have done differently to convert Leclerc's splendid pole position into a victory - his first at home?

Carlos Sainz's defiance of Ferrari's strategy, Williams' drivers hampering the progress of both Ferrari drivers, George Russell's continued top-5 finish trend, Lewis Hamilton in an Alpine sandwich & finally, the nearing of the end of Daniel Ricciardo's career in Formula 1?

Tune in!

(Season 2022, Episode 30)

Follow our hosts: Sundaram Ramaswami, Soumil Arora and Kunal Shah

Image courtesy: Red Bull Content Pool

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**2022 Monaco Grand Prix Review: Controversies, Surprises, and Driver Performances**

The 2022 Monaco Grand Prix was an eventful race filled with controversies, surprises, and exceptional driver performances. The late start and reduced race laps due to rain raised questions about whether the full potential of the race was realized.

**Ferrari's Strategic Missteps:**

- Sergio Perez's victory sparked discussions about whether Ferrari lost the race or if Perez won it. Ferrari's strategy choices came under scrutiny, particularly their decision not to pit Charles Leclerc for fresh tires during a late safety car period. This decision cost Leclerc a potential victory, leaving him in fourth place.

- Carlos Sainz's defiance of Ferrari's strategy by pitting for fresh tires proved beneficial, allowing him to finish second. This incident highlighted the tension between driver autonomy and team strategy in Formula One.

**Bottas' Impressive Performance:**

- Valtteri Bottas quietly moved from P12 to P9, demonstrating the effectiveness of Alfa Romeo's strategy and his own driving skills. This performance was particularly notable considering Bottas' recent struggles in qualifying.

**Alpine's Focus on Frustrating Lewis Hamilton:**

- Fernando Alonso's tactics of slowing down behind Lewis Hamilton appeared to be a deliberate attempt to frustrate the seven-time world champion. This strategy allowed Lando Norris to make an additional pit stop and secure the point for the fastest lap.

**McLaren's Strategy Conundrums:**

- AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly became the first driver to use all five tire compounds in a single race, highlighting the team's unconventional strategy.

- Daniel Ricciardo's struggles continued, with the Australian driver finishing well behind his teammate Lando Norris. McLaren's team principal, Zak Brown, has hinted at potential contract exit mechanisms for Ricciardo due to his underperformance.

**Mick Schumacher's Crash:**

- Mick Schumacher's heavy crash raised concerns about the safety of the new car regulations, which require the rear of the car to detach in the event of an impact. The crash also marked Schumacher's second major incident in seven races, highlighting his ongoing struggles.

The 2022 Monaco Grand Prix provided a mix of excitement and controversy, with several standout performances and strategic decisions shaping the outcome of the race.