2013 Monaco Grand Prix

Previous race

Fernando Alonso won the Spanish Grand Prix at home in Barcelona, with Räikkönen second and Massa third. It was Ferrari’s second victory of the season.

Between-race developments

Ferrari and Red Bull filed a formal complaint on the eve of this race about a Pirelli tyre test conducted using the 2013 Mercedes car and drivers. The teams argued the arrangement — intended to develop proposed new tyre designs — gave Mercedes a competitive advantage at both Monaco and the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. Pirelli is under pressure following criticism of tyre degradation rates in the early rounds.

Tyre choices

Pirelli brings the soft (prime) and super-soft (option) compounds, as in each of the previous two Monaco Grands Prix.

Practice

Thursday’s free practice sessions were eventful. Jean-Éric Vergne and Kimi Räikkönen both suffered heavy lock-ups at the swimming pool and went wide into the run-off area. Lewis Hamilton locked up badly at Tabac, and teammate Nico Rosberg touched the barrier at Massenet. Romain Grosjean and Felipe Massa both crashed into the barriers at the first corner. Massa’s crash came in Saturday morning’s final practice session, leaving him unable to take part in qualifying. Adrian Sutil crashed into the barrier at Portier.