F1 continues its European triple-header with the Monaco Prix – the most famous event on the calendar

Formula 1 continues its European triple-header with the Monaco Grand Prix – the most famous event on the F1 calendar.

Max Verstappen’s victory in Imola spiced up the title race as he moved to just 22 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri.

Lando Norris also gained ground and is 13 points adrift of his McLaren team-mate, who finished second to Charles Leclerc at last year’s Monaco race.

Leclerc won on home soil for the first time 12 months ago but Ferrari will need a special performance to compete at the front, despite Lewis Hamilton finishing just off the podium in Imola.

It was a disappointing time in Italy for Mercedes as George Russell suffered his worst result of the season in seventh and Kimi Antonelli retired.

A significant change for Monaco will see a mandatory two-stop race this Sunday in a bid to create more excitement in what has traditionally been a predictable grand prix.

It could throw a real spanner in the works as the pit-stop phases are set to be very exciting and fortune will play a key role.

Monaco is one of four current F1 events that were on the original 1950 calendar and has been on the schedule for the last 70 years, apart from 2020 when it was cancelled due to Covid-19.

It is the shortest track in terms of layout at just two miles and overtaking is incredibly difficult. Famous sections such as Sainte Devote, Casino Square, the hairpin, the tunnel, Tabac corner, the swimming pool chicane and the Rascasse are just some of the iconic features of the tight, twisty circuit.

Qualifying is critical but also one of the highlights of the season as the drivers brush the barriers in a bid to find lap time.