F1 drivers facing 'survival game' in major Monaco headache

Isack Hadjar has warned that the F1 drivers are facing a “survival game” as they seek to escape from Q1 on Saturday unimpacted by traffic.

The short and narrow layout of the Monte Carlo track has always been a cause of concern when it comes to moving out of the way of rival cars.

The challenge is augmented this year with the addition of two cars to the grid as Cadillac partakes in its first event around the famous circuit.

Hadjar qualified and finished in sixth place at last year's Monaco Grand Prix, and will no doubt be seeking to improve in his first outing with Red Bull this time around.

However, the Frenchman understands that car performance means little when it comes to escaping the Q1 drop zone.

“Especially with the car we have, it's not going to be about performance,” Hadjar told media including RacingNews365.

“We go through Q1, we should go through Q1 easily, and it's more about a track reset every time you go back on track.

“Where’s the grip? How does the car feel? Avoid every kind of penalty with the traffic, and you want to get the laps in.”

While Hadjar insisted that having a stretch of free air will mean the difference between progressing or being dumped out in Q3, he expects Q2 to be a much calmer affair.

“It doesn't matter if the tyre is a lap or two laps old, we have a car that puts us into Q3 easily.

“It doesn't matter if the lap is crappy as well. So Q1 is more of a survival game, it's not about perfection.

“From Q2, you start building the pace properly.”