Mercedes has it tougher: 'Those are definitely gone'

Despite the disappointing winter tests Mercedes is doing better and better. The Mercedes team boss knows that his team is working hard to get the most out of the car. "Looking at the data, trying to analyse," Wolff told the press conference. "We have a completely new tyre that everybody needs to get on top of it. We needed to tune our car differently than in the past years but certainly the kind of gaps and advantages we had last year has vanished but that’s also good. I think we’re enjoying the ride."

Wolff thinks several teams will be going for the win at Monaco. "I wouldn’t discount any other teams. We’ve seen the Ferraris have been pretty strong. Carlos was always there, right up, and Charles didn’t even run so the Ferraris have been very strong. Red Bull definitely, that has been their track, they have a lot of downforce, so we expect them too – but the McLarens have always come when it matters in qualifying."

Verstappen's performance in free practice

Max Verstappen performed fairly consistently in Monaco so far, setting a third and fourth final time. The Dutchman will be hoping to secure first place this Sunday, closing the gap on Hamilton in the world championship again.