Monaco E-Prix Preview: The one everyone wants to win

Formula E heads to the Principality this weekend for the iconic Monaco E-Prix, the one race on the calendar that all 22 drivers would do anything to be victorious at. RacingNews365 will be on the ground in Monaco covering all the action.

This weekend’s action marks the seventh time Formula E has visited Monte-Carlo and takes place on the back of a dramatic first trip to Misano, where the extreme peloton racing was on display.

The same is not likely in Monaco given it is, of course, a street circuit, but the history behind the venue adds to the intensity of the E-Prix. It is also the only race where every session takes place on the same day.

What happened last year?

Last season’s Monaco E-Prix was a thriller and started with an exceptional qualifying session, which saw rookies at the time Jake Hughes and Sacha Fenestraz go up against one another.

Fenestraz set a Formula E lap record at Monaco in his semi-final duel and would have started on pole, had his lap in the final against Hughes not been deleted for an overuse of power. Hughes’ lap was also deleted for exceeding track limits but he started from pole.

The Nissan powertrain had a one-two-three on the grid but it was Nick Cassidy who was victorious in the race, with Mitch Evans and Jake Dennis completing the podium. With the exception of Dennis, Porsche struggled for pace in Monaco. 116 overtakes were made.

Track layout

This weekend will mark the fourth time Formula E has used the full F1 version of the Circuit de Monaco, making it even more of a spectacle.

Being the most famous circuit on the planet means it offers little surprises in that it consists of 19 corners and is 3.337 km in distance, nevertheless, every single lap is special no matter the category of racing.

What will potentially add a fresh ingredient to the E-Prix this Saturday is that rain is forecast throughout the day. To-date, Formula E has had just one partially wet race since the introduction of the Gen3 era (last season’s finale in London).

Favourites for victory

A favourite for this weekend is undoubtedly last season's winner Cassidy, who will be looking to claim his second win of 2024. The Kiwi had a mixed weekend in Misano which did end with a podium, but he needs big points to keep up in the championship fight.

It is almost impossible to look past Oliver Rowland in Monaco, the Briton would have won both races in Misano had it not been for a software issue and has been exceptional in recent races. Nissan were stunning in Monaco 12 months ago, Rowland can replicate that.

Mitch Evans has endured significant bad luck as of late, but he is a driver who is consistently towards the front in Monaco. Evans has finished second in the last two events at the iconic venue, whilst he has been on the podium in the last three. Will it be fourth time lucky?

Pascal Wehrlein has turned his qualifying pace around this year compared to 2023 and is consistently starting towards the front. At a venue like Monaco this is crucial, especially as the Porsche powertrain is incredibly efficient. Do not rule out Wehrlein for the Monaco win.

Dark horses

Normally Dennis is mentioned in the favourites for victory section but based on his qualifying form this season, he finds himself as a dark horse. Should he qualify well, then he would not belong in this category; however, he has rarely made the duels this season.

As explained earlier, the Nissan powertrain secured a one-two-three on the grid last season, as a result, São Paulo winner Sam Bird needs to be considered. It is well known how quick he can be over one-lap, whilst his experience could prove pivotal if in a battle for the win.

Given he claimed pole in Monaco last season, it is impossible not to mention Hughes as a dark horse. The McLaren driver has been rapid over one-lap once again this year and his car finally ha the performance over a race distance to convert a pole into a maiden win.

Fenestraz has endured a difficult start to the year but will be pleased to return to Monaco, where he, as mentioned, would have claimed pole 12 months ago had his final lap not been deleted for an overuse of power. After finishing fourth in Monaco last year, he will be feeling confident.

How do the championships look?

Wehrlein heads to the Principality as the joint-leader in the drivers' championship with reigning world champion Dennis. The duo sit on 89 points and are nine ahead of Rowland in third. Cassidy is a further four points adrift on fourth, whilst Maserati's Maximilian Günther is fifth on 63 points.

In the teams' championship, Jaguar remain in the lead but are being caught by the Porsche-powered teams. Jaguar sit on 128 points, just 16 points ahead of Andretti in second. Porsche are in third on 109 points whilst Nissan are catching everyone on 100. DS Penske are fifth on 75 points.