"Bambino" George Russell called out and told to respect the history of racing in Monaco

Russell questioned Monaco’s place on the calendar after finishing outside the points last year, arguing that qualifying had become more important than the race itself. Speaking after the event, he suggested Monaco was little more than a procession and hinted that the sport could even replace the race with qualifying sessions.

Patrese, however, was having none of it. The former Formula 1 driver and 1982 Monaco Grand Prix winner insisted that Monte Carlo remains one of the sport’s greatest challenges and warned Russell against dismissing its unique place in racing history.

Everybody expects Charles Leclerc to be among the favourites this weekend, but Patrese stressed that Monaco remains unpredictable despite the Monegasque driver’s outstanding record on the streets where he grew up.

“Everybody expects this, but you never know! We know that Leclerc is fantastic in Monaco because Monaco is a race just on its own. There is nothing like it. Qualifying is the is the most important thing. The race is qualifying, because when you start in front then ninety-nine percent of the job is done," explained the motorsport veteran.

Patrese revealed he was particularly disappointed by Russell’s comments after last year’s race: “Monaco is special. I didn't like what Russell said last year after the race that the modern F1 car a circuit like Monaco is old-fashioned and it should be banned.

“And I said, ‘Whoa, bambino, you forget the history of Monaco you cannot talk like that.’ It shows no respect for the history of motor racing, the history of the race and the history of the drivers that they drove there.

"There have been some epic races there. As it's a race that requires a different approach and philosophy, instead to being critical, adapt and try to be a pole," added Patrese, who believes drivers must embrace the unique demands of Monaco rather than complain about them.

Unlike any other circuit on the calendar, success is built almost entirely on qualifying performance and the ability to deliver under immense pressure with barriers inches away. For him, that challenge is exactly what makes Monaco special.

Patrese recalled: “You have to do everything you can to be on pole. The pace sometimes is not so important. In 1981 Gilles Villeneuve took pole with the Ferrari. In the race he was so slow there was a queue of 20 cars behind him, and nobody could overtake, and he won the Grand Prix. So, the most important thing is to be in front and qualifying.”

The Italian explained that Monaco demands a level of precision few circuits can match: “The challenge for a driver, of course, is being able to produce a super quick lap, because the circuit is very narrow. You don't see after the corner, so you are blind entering the corner and mistakes are very easy to make.

"You see how many times also the drivers touch the rails. You have to be very precise and very quick. And Monaco is a place that drivers love or hate. I loved it. Charles does too.”

Patrese contrasted Leclerc’s affection for the circuit with the attitude of one of Formula 1’s greatest champions: “Nelson Piquet was useless there. He said he hated to drive in Monaco. It is a unique circuit. But before to say that it should be taken off the calendar, we have to remember who drove there, who raced there, who won there, and also the history of the Grand Prix.”

Looking ahead to the race itself, Patrese expects Leclerc to continue his Monaco mastery and finally deliver another home victory for Ferrari: “I think Charles Leclerc will win the race, followed by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on the podium.”

If Patrese’s prediction proves correct, Monaco will once again remind Formula 1 why qualifying excellence, supreme precision and respect for history remain at the heart of one of the sport’s most iconic weekends.

Riccardo Patrese was speaking to F1 Hospitality provider Vision4Sport, who have teamed up with BWT Alpine to offer an exclusive Monaco yacht experience.