Jolyon Palmer has admitted that he thinks Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc could upset Red Bull at the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend.
Palmer was speaking on the F1 Preview Show ahead of a return to action in Monte Carlo.
The start of the European leg of the Formula 1 calendar was delayed after the cancellation of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
However, there appears to be no stopping F1’s return to the historic Monte Carlo circuit.
If any venue is likely to cause an upset it’s Monaco.
The unique nature of the track means that crashes in qualifying or the race itself can manufacture some interesting results.
Overtaking is especially difficult, and with rain forecast during the weekend, conditions won’t be easy.
Red Bull have dominated the season so far, winning every race and only missing out on a one-two in Australia.
Max Verstappen leads Sergio Perez by 14 points after five races.
However, the gap to third place Fernando Alonso is already 44 points.
Palmer believes that Charles Leclerc is most likely to cause an upset at his home race in Monaco.
He’ll be hoping for better luck than each time he’s visited the track before.
Palmer backs Leclerc to challenge Red Bull in Monaco
Asked if he thinks anyone can cause an upset this weekend, Palmer said: “I quite fancy [Charles] Leclerc for it this weekend, which feels bold because Red Bull have just waltzed everything this year.
“But, think of Baku qualifying, Leclerc was the man to beat over two qualifying sessions.
“Street circuit, he made up the time in the slow speed [corners]. OK, they were nowhere in the race, but that doesn’t matter in Monaco.
“If you take the pole, and Leclerc has taken poles before, then it doesn’t matter if your race pace is bad.
“You’ve got to get the strategy right, you’ve got to get the pit stops right, there’ll be some question marks on Ferrari there. I just think Leclerc can do it.”
Leclerc has been on pole position twice in Monaco and as Palmer said, his car should suit the track.
However, he will still need to get everything right to stop Verstappen and Perez in their tracks.
Ferrari’s poor strategy last season cost him as he was stuck behind Carlos Sainz in the pit lane.
The year before he didn’t even reach the grid after putting his car on pole due to damage sustained in qualifying.
The Monegasque driver does appear to be cursed whenever he returns home to race.