WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The key storylines to look out for in Monte Carlo

Round 5 of the 2024 season sees the drivers head to a very special venue as Monte Carlo once again plays host to Formula 2 and brings with it a unique test for all involved.

The narrow historic street circuit will require a lot from the drivers and their teams which will make victory at the Principality all the sweeter. But before we get down to business, here are some of the storylines to look out for.

QUALIFYING GROUPS

Part of what makes Monte Carlo so unique is that it is the only race weekend where the drivers are placed into separate Qualifying groups.

Odd and even numbered drivers will make up Group A and Group B, with each group given 16 minutes to set their fastest times.

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The driver with the best time across both groups will be on Pole for the Feature Race, with the fastest in the other group joining them on the front row. The positions will then alternate back and forth between the groups to decide the rest of the grid.

But at such a narrow track where overtaking is hard but not impossible, track position will be key so making sure you are in the top 10 in Qualifying will be a priority for all 22 drivers.

Seeing how each of them navigates their way through Monte Carlo in these groupings will be interesting as it could be the difference between a great race weekend and a difficult one.

CAMPOS CONTINUING THEIR GOOD FORM

It has been a strong season so far for Campos Racing and thanks to Isack Hadjar’s Feature Race victory in Imola they now lead the Teams’ Standings with 85 points.

That was the second consecutive Feature Race win for the Frenchman, who also stood on the top step in Melbourne after a post-race disqualification took victory away a day prior in the Sprint.

The Spaniards were even in strong form in Barcelona for the in-season test, with Hadjar setting the fastest time of the week on day three, while Josep María Martí was quickest on day two.

Monte Carlo Preview: The battle heads to the historic streets

Martí in himself has also had a good season so far after starting the season in Sakhir with their two podium finishes.

They now head to a track in Monte Carlo where both drivers have had prior success and at a venue where confidence is key, the entire team will have it in abundance. But does that mean they can continue that good form this weekend?

INVICTA RACING EYEING THAT FIRST WIN

Invicta have shown a tremendous amount of pace this year and with three pole positions – the most of any team in the paddock - shared between Gabriel Bortoleto and Kush Maini they will be disappointed not to have taken that first win of the season.

But both drivers have come close so far with Maini having led for the most part from pole in Jeddah. However, he just did not have the pace to contend with Enzo Fittipaldi late on and was forced to settle for P2.

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As for Bortoleto, he pushed Hadjar all the way in the closing stages in Imola but just could not make his way past the Frenchman and wound up second, achieving his first podium in the process.

But could their luck change this weekend? If the last four Feature Races are anything to go by in Monte Carlo, pole position usually guarantees victory.

The Norfolk, UK based team have already shown they can take Pole and if they can do that for the fourth time, their pace and the nature of the Monte Carlo circuit would put them in prime position to take that first win of the year.

PREMA LOOKING TO FIGHT BACK

It is fair to say that things have not always gone in the Italian team’s favour so far this year and Imola was another case of what might have been for PREMA Racing.

Things started off well at their home weekend with Oliver Bearman qualifying second and Andrea Kimi Antonelli in fourth, with the former then taking the lead in the Feature Race.

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However, a slow pit stop cost him time and dropped him to the back of the field, while Antonelli was able to take P4 on home soil.

They have been given an opportunity to bounce back immediately in Monte Carlo, a track where they won the Feature last year through Frederik Vesti.

PREMA will no doubt be eyeing a repeat of that as it could give them the positive momentum, they need heading into the second half of the season.