Monaco Grand Prix 2018: What time does the race start, which TV channel is it on and what odds of a Lewis Hamilton win?

Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton drives during the first practice session at the Monaco street circuit on May 24, 2018 in Monaco, ahead of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton comes to Monaco on the back of two consecutive victories Credit: AFP

What is it?

The sixth round of the 2018 Formula One season returns to Monaco, the second race of the European leg of the season and inarguably the most glamorous. The lap times are expected to tumble this weekend with Pirelli bringing the hypersoft tyre - the softest compound - for the first time this year. 

When is it?

The action takes place (May 26-27), with qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.  Unusually for a Grand Prix, the practice running takes place on Thursday, as opposed to Friday. 

What time does it start?

Qualifying on Saturday begins at 2pm BST on Saturday and the race at 2.10pm on Sunday. 

How can I watch it?

As ever, all the coverage is screened live on Sky Sports F1. Channel 4 also have live coverage for the race weekend.  Sky's qualifying coverage starts at 1pm BST and Channel 4's qualifying coverage starts at 12.55pm BST. Race coverage on Sunday begins at 11.30am on Sky with On The Grid coverage from 12.30. Channel 4's coverage starts at 1pm BST. The usual suspects will be there for both Sky (Martin Brundle, Damon Hill, David Croft) and Channel 4 (Mark Webber, David Coulthard and Susie Wolff). 

It's a first home Grand Prix for Charles Leclerc, who has been impressive in the last two races Credit: AFP

What are the current standings?

  1. Lewis Hamilton MERCEDES 95
  2. Sebastian Vettel FERRARI 78
  3. Valtteri Bottas MERCEDES 58
  4. Kimi Räikkönen FERRARI 48
  5. Daniel Ricciardo RED BULL RACING TAG HEUER 47
  6. Max Verstappen RED BULL RACING TAG HEUER 33
  7. Fernando Alonso MCLAREN RENAULT 32
  8. Nico Hulkenberg RENAULT 22

What do we know about the Circuit de Monaco?

Circuit length:  3.337km

Laps: 78

Race distance:  260.286km

Race lap record: 1.14.820 (Sergio Perez, 2017)

2017 pole position: Kimi Raikkonen (1.12.178)

2017 winner: Sebastian Vettel

2017 fastest lap:  1.14.820 (Sergio Perez, 2017)

Number of corners: 19

Tyre compounds to be used:  The softest three compounds - supersoft, ultrasoft, hypersoft. 

Overtaking chances:   Pretty slim, to be honest - turn one into Ste Devote is a possibility and also coming out of the tunnel and into the chicane - but everywhere the risk of a collision is high, especially with these super-wide, super-quick 2018-spec F1 cars. 

What are the odds (top ten)?

  • Sebastian Vettel 13/8

  • Lewis Hamilton 3/1

  • Max Verstappen 4/1 

  • Daniel Ricciardo 7/2

  • Valtteri Bottas 10/1

  • Kimi Raikkonen 12/1

  • Fernando Alonso 200/1

  • Stoffel Vandoorne 500/1

  • Kevin Magnussen 300/1

What happened last time in Monaco?

Monaco 2017 was one of the races that Mercedes struggled and Ferrari dominated. The Scuderia took a front-row lock-out with Kimi Raikkonen taking pole. The order was reversed in the race, with Sebastian Vettel leading the Finn home. Valtteri Bottas was the lead Mercedes in fourth, behind Ricciardo's Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton could only finish seventh. Jenson Button made a return for McLaren, replacing Fernando Alonso, who ran in the Indy 500. 

What is our prediction?

Everyone expects the Red Bull to be the quickest car around the streets of Monaco, so this weekend could be a good chance for them to finally outqualify Mercedes and Ferrari and dictate the race. Ferrari will probably expect to be there or thereabouts but Mercedes will be worried if they repeat last year's performance. We're going for a Daniel Ricciardo win, closely followed by Sebastian Vettel. 

Podium prediction: 1st Ricciardo 2nd Vettel 3rd Verstappen