Formula 1 2010: Round 5 Monaco

frostie500

This weekend sees the jewel of Formula 1’s crown, the Monaco Grand Prix, take centre stage as the race around the streets of the tiny principality form the most famous track on the Formula 1 calendar.

There is no greater challenge for a driver than racing on the tight and twisting public roads that are lined with barriers waiting to punish any mistake by the drivers with each corner littered with a history of past accidents by some of the greatest drivers of all time, whether it is Senna crashing going into the tunnel in ’88 or Schumacher at Porter in ’96 each corner has a history of epic proportions.

Monaco has historically been a car breaker with half of all cars finishing the race that have started. This has improved in recent years but even so only an average of 13 cars has finished in the last decade. This race will be exceptionally tough on the components of the cars and with the lack of in race refuelling it can be expected that teams will place a greater emphasis on durability rather than outright speed.

The Circuit

With its tight and twisting nature Monaco places a greater requirement on mechanical grip than almost any other circuit Formula 1 visits throughout the year. Melbourne places a similar requirement on the cars and Red Bull was the class of the field in the dry in Australia so the team will look to replicate that form this weekend. They will once more take the fastest car in the field to Monaco but will face stiff competition as there are five different previous winners challenging Webber and Vettel for victory. The past winners are Button, Alonso, Trulli, Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, long renowned as a ‘Monaco Master.’

Weather for the Monaco Grand Prix

Changeable weather is forecast for this weekend’s race but it is expected that most of the rain will pass the Rivera by the time cars roll out for practice tomorrow. The expectation if for it to be cloudy but there is only a 15% chance of rain according to local stations.

Statistics

Obviously enough with the tight track configuration it is necessary to qualify at the front of the field to have a successful Grand Prix; the winner generally comes from the first three on the grid. Olivier Panis is the lowest qualified driver to emerge victorious having won the wet 1996 edition from 14th on the grid. This race coincidently was the second most mechanically challenging race ever with only 7 of 22 cars finishing. The 1990 race won by Senna was slightly more taxing on cars and drivers (7 of 26.)

Monaco was one of the races that formed the inaugural Formula 1 World Championship but due to financial issues the race was not restaged until 1955, since then it has had an uninterrupted presence in the championship.
Senna is the most successful driver to grace the principality with six wins ahead of Graham Hill and Michael Schumacher with five apiece.

What can we expect from this weekend?

The Red Bull’s will once more be expected to arrive in Monaco with the fastest car but the one thing that Monaco has always been able to provide is a shock result. This is one of the last circuits on the calendar that can allow the driver to make a massive difference and as a result it is generally more beneficial to look at past Monaco Grand Prix rather than this seasons race weekends to find the potential form for this weekend.

Lewis Hamilton will once more look to showcase his abilities on the streets where he won in 2008, but with Michael Schumacher looking more confident in the Mercedes from Barcelona he could be primed to spring a surprise this weekend. The raw pace of the updated Mercedes wasn’t all that impressive in Spain but the fact that Schumacher looked confident in how it would react and handle could make him a legitimate contender on Sunday.

BBC Schedule:
Thursday 13 May
Practice one: 0855-1035
Practice two: 1255-1435
Saturday 15 May
Practice three: 0955-1105
Qualifying: 1210-1430
Sunday 16 May
Race: 1210-1530


2009 Button
2008 Hamilton
2007 Alonso
2006 Alonso
2005 Raikkonen
2004 Trulli
2003 Montoya
2002 Coulthard
2001 M. Schumacher
2000 Coulthard
1999 M. Schumacher
1998 Hakkinen
1997 M. Schumacher
1996 Panis
1995 M. Schumacher
1994 M. Schumacher
1993 Senna
1992 Senna
1991 Senna
1990 Senna
1989 Senna
1988 Prost
1987 Senna
1986 Prost
1985 Prost
1984 Prost
1983 K. Rosberg
1982 Patrese
1981 G. Villeneuve
1980 Reutemann
1979 Scheckter
1978 Depailler
1977 Scheckter
1976 Lauda
1975 Lauda
1974 Peterson
1973 Stewart
1972 Beltoise
1971 Stewart
1970 Rind
1969 G. Hill
1968 G. Hill
1967 Hulme
1966 Stewart
1965 G. Hill
1964 G. Hill
1963 G. Hill
1962 McLaren
1961 Moss
1960 Moss
1959 Brabham
1958 Trintiqnant
1957 Fangio
1956 Moss
1955 Trintiqnant
1950 Fangio


Taken from my blog: http://stevieenglishblog.blogspot.com/

smooch71

Great post frostie

Cookie_Monster

Stupid college all weekend :mad::mad::mad:
Have to tape it and run the risk of overhearing who won.

Any circuit changes / adjustments this year?
I imagine the pit lane will be completely chock a block with the extra teams, it was tight enough as it was. Bound to be all sorts of issues with the bigger number of cars on such a tight track, good watching :)

Hamilton in the wall like last year too please

Ghost Train

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Hamilton in the wall like last year too please

or Vettel

I guess anyone can make a mistake or get caught up in somebody elses accident.

Really looking forward to it, love when its only a one week gap.

frostie500

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

ny circuit changes / adjustments this year?
I imagine the pit lane will be completely chock a block with the extra teams, it was tight enough as it was. Bound to be all sorts of issues with the bigger number of cars on such a tight track, good watching :)

The main changes to the track are a re profiling of the curbs at the chicanes so as to lesson the advantage from cutting them, probably just putting in more of the humps that have become prevalent (the ones Vettel ran over in Barcelona.)

Apart from that the track has been resurfaced from Sainte Devote to Massenet and from Mirabeau to portier, the exit of the tunnel to the chicane was also resurfaced.

The pitlane shouldn't be too bad-remember they built new permanent garages for the race so there shouldn't be too much of an issue with the new teams....and definitely no problems like having to put Stewart GP into a multistory car park in 97!

BoardsRanger

I think the main race this weekend will be on the Saturday. Sunday will just be a procession. I hope im wrong though because Monaco deserves an exciting race.

smooch71

BoardsRanger wrote: »

I think the main race this weekend will be on the Saturday. Sunday will just be a procession. I hope im wrong though because Monaco deserves an exciting race.

Don't speak too soon.

Saturday might be a procession too by all accounts!

BoardsRanger

smooch71 wrote: »

Don't speak too soon.

Saturday might be a procession too by all accounts!

Dont really mind the procession on saturday because it will shake things up.

But, as i said - i hope we see some racing on the Sunday.

VW 1

Fly into Nice in the morning with 3 of my mates, will need to be surgically removed by the time Sunday afternoon comes and the race is over! Cannot wait!

frostie500

BoardsRanger wrote: »

I think the main race this weekend will be on the Saturday. Sunday will just be a procession. I hope im wrong though because Monaco deserves an exciting race.

You'd have to define what you mean by exciting, Monaco has been won at an average of around 30 seconds so the races tend to be quite stretched at the front. One of the most processional races was 88, yet it is one of the most talked about ever when Senna drove away from the field before crashing and handing the win to Prost.

I think that there is the possibility for an exciting race at the front if, and its a big if, the McLarens, Ferraris and Mercedes can get on the pace of the Red Bulls. If that happens there is the chance of a race like 92 occurring. That year Senna and Mansell had a great battle for the lead after Mansell had to pit to replace a puncture and chase down the non-stopping Senna to the flag.

BoardsRanger

VW 1 wrote: »

Fly into Nice in the morning with 3 of my mates, will need to be surgically removed by the time Sunday afternoon comes and the race is over! Cannot wait!

Wish i was going aswell! Was suposed to be going to this but something came up. Enjoy it

BoardsRanger

frostie500 wrote: »

You'd have to define what you mean by exciting, Monaco has been won at an average of around 30 seconds so the races tend to be quite stretched at the front. One of the most processional races was 88, yet it is one of the most talked about ever when Senna drove away from the field before crashing and handing the win to Prost.

I think that there is the possibility for an exciting race at the front if, and its a big if, the McLarens, Ferraris and Mercedes can get on the pace of the Red Bulls. If that happens there is the chance of a race like 92 occurring. That year Senna and Mansell had a great battle for the lead after Mansell had to pit to replace a puncture and chase down the non-stopping Senna to the flag.

Good point- i just want to see abit of racing. Will probably stick a bet on Button at 10-1. There are also alot of blind corners at Monaco and hence the possiblity of some backmarkers being rear ended. Could spice things up nicely!

smellslikeshoes

Really hoping Schumacher can surprise a few people here.
I think the addition of the much slower new teams here could make this an exciting Monaco, lots of possibilities to get caught behind back markers.

Ghost Train

Tyres were a pretty big factor last year and might be more so this year with new rules. Wonder will it just be the one stop for most cars

Here's the current forcast

mickdw

The lack of refueling will surely turn monaco into a procession. No strategy involved anymore really if its a dry race.
Schumacher on the podium!

amacachi

If there's any safety car I can see the race being called on time. The race lasted 1.40 last year, I'd say it'll be about 1.47 this year, bearing in mind there will be a big effect on the cars with the heavier fuel loads.

amacachi

****in hell, showing Brundle getting pulled from the wreckage in 1984, how was F1 allowed to take place with marshalls like that!?

Ghost Train

amacachi wrote: »

****in hell, showing Brundle getting pulled from the wreckage in 1984, how was F1 allowed to take place with marshalls like that!?

thought the interview with brundle really showed how different it was, to think he wanted to go out in the spare car straight after and not even knowing what had happened he was so out of it
was surprised watching satos blow up, could have been much worse with marshels about and satos car one side and overturned car in the barrier on the otherside

nice sunny morning in monaco

gigabit

VW 1 wrote: »

Fly into Nice in the morning with 3 of my mates, will need to be surgically removed by the time Sunday afternoon comes and the race is over! Cannot wait!

Very jealous. Where will you be watching it from?

I think Schu would love a 6th Monaco win. Practise should be on soon. Would love to be going over to this race.

lee_baby_simms

Poor Kobayashi has slammed into a wall already. Wing gone - yellow flags out.

Q1 on Saturday is gonna be insane. 24 cars with 10 minutes to post times. And thats not even factoring in the chance of rain...

lee_baby_simms

F1 racing legend Sir Stirling Moss on Twitter: "In 1960 they did 100 laps and drove 3½ hours which required supreme concentration."

I'm really starting to tire of this old codger and his "well in my day..." carry on.

Kersh

Will prac 2 be live on BBc red button?

smooch71

lee_baby_simms wrote: »

I'm really starting to tire of this old codger and his "well in my day..." carry on.

NOOooo...

Why won't he just shut the f*ck up??

Is he suggesting driving around Monaco in a modern F1 car is a doddle?

The guy's a relic of a bygone era. He'd do better to remember that and disappear gracefully.

Hogzy

Lads is this on any TV channel?

smooch71

Hogzy wrote: »

Lads is this on any TV channel?

BBC show it on the red button digital service.

I get it on Sky but I don't know about the digital providers.

Hogzy

smooch71 wrote: »

BBC show it on the red button digital service.

I get it on Sky but I don't know about the digital providers.

Thats fine i have sky, Thanks a million!!!

Cookie_Monster

lee_baby_simms wrote: »

Q1 on Saturday is gonna be insane. 24 cars with 10 minutes to post times. And thats not even factoring in the chance of rain...

20 mins

Slutmonkey57b

smooch71 wrote: »

NOOooo...

Why won't he just shut the f*ck up??

Is he suggesting driving around Monaco in a modern F1 car is a doddle?

The guy's a relic of a bygone era. He'd do better to remember that and disappear gracefully.

According to Anthony Davidson in Practice 1 today, modern cars are a doddle and he wouldn't consider attempting Monaco in cars from that era, as he drove one at goodwood. Described it as "scary", no protection, no brakes, very little traction.

Moss isn't a man who blows his own trumpet - I think the media have latched onto him of late, and thanks to saturation coverage it's easy to get tired of people. Someone like Moss or Stewart could get approached for a comment, spend 30 seconds talking, and by the time the various media have quoted it, requoted it, commented on it and analysed it, it's still going around a week later.

amacachi

I wouldn't put too much into how things are reported, just look at what Button was meant to have said earlier in the season. Can't remember exactly what it was but there was a thread on here about it and when it was put in context he was 100% right in what he said, but it wasn't reported like that.

Oblomov

Any car is a doddle to drive, it's just driving it quickly that takes the skill and expertise.
The 'older' car, consisted of gear-changes, steering and acceleration and needed a good sense of balance .............. now, the additional controls and the use communications and 'g' forces. The fitness level, ability to maintain concentration and reaction times.

Just a little difference but easier, not really.

Ghost Train

Bad practice session for Ferrari this morning, with Alonso destroying the right side of his car. Massa didn't look too comfortable with the car either, sliding it close to the wall two or three times, but did well to put in one of the fastest times. Will be interesting to see if they can keep it all together for qualifying and get the two cars near the front.

Button seemed to be struggling for grip too, Rosberg and Kubica look pretty dialed in and on the limit

lord lucan

Alonso out of qualifying. Spotlight on Massa now. Really looking forward to this qualifying session.

amacachi

How many times did Jake crash when he was at Silverstone? :L

Ghost Train

Pity about alonso, strange that the car was so damaged in a relatively minor smash, should be good to watch him try get through the field tomorrow.

amacachi

What was DLR at there? If he was looking for some space he had it, a good few hundred metres clear ahead of him at least. If he was coming into the pits he should get a fine.

amacachi

Legard really, really getting on my nerves today.

amacachi

Surprised to see Liuzzi on the soft tyres, thought the slower guys would be sticking the hards on.

amacachi

Penalty for Massa hopefully. Ironic all the moaning about how the slow teams were going to hold everyone else up.

johnnysmack

Webber is on a roll.

amacachi

Loved Webber checking out Kubica's tyres at the end. :pac:

EvilMonkey

amacachi wrote: »

Loved Webber checking out Kubica's tyres at the end. :pac:

I thought he was checking his own did he check Kubica's too? He said he hit a barrier in the press conference so i thought he was checking for damage.

amacachi

EvilMonkey wrote: »

I thought he was checking his own did he check Kubica's too? He said he hit a barrier in the press conference so i thought he was checking for damage.

99% sure he was looking at Kubica's as well. Forgive me if I'm wrong, hard to tell with the helmet. :pac:

Ghost Train

The Rosberg & Schumacher interviews after qualifying were very interesting, 'specially Schumacher first complimenting everybody on how they behaved and then giving out about Rosberg :pac:

Will be interesting to see which one of them get into the first corner first tomorrow

Shane732

Ghost Train wrote: »

The Rosberg & Schumacher interviews after qualifying were very interesting, 'specially Schumacher first complimenting everybody on how they behaved and then giving out about Rosberg :pac:

Will be interesting to see which one of them get into the first corner first tomorrow

Schumacher will be getting into the first corner before Nico - Schui is on the better side and is also Jesus....

GTE

Eddie Jordan on the BBC is the most excruciating thing on the TV today.

There were only a couple of hundredths between Rosberg and Schumacher and he was talking as if Rosberg was on pole and Schumacher was 10th.

Legard was annoying too, again. He doesnt have a clue whats going on. He just clearly doesnt look at the timing screens or have much common sense when commentating on what's going on. In Barcelona someone tried to take someone on the inside coming into the first corner, decides he cant make it so reassumes position and he goes "Oh, it wont work there, will he try to do it on the outside? NO!" The first car had already turned in and the second one hadnt started it yet when he said it.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I cant explain it, hes a annoying. Ted and Martin could work.

Ghost Train

Shane732 wrote: »

Schumacher will be getting into the first corner before Nico - Schui is on the better side and is also Jesus....

Nico being on the row ahead should be ok, then again if massa gets a penalty they might be beside each other :pac:

amacachi

Is there a way to get the radio commentary on TV? I was watching the quali today and it said to press red for audio options but there were none.

Ghost Train

amacachi wrote: »

Is there a way to get the radio commentary on TV? I was watching the quali today and it said to press red for audio options but there were none.

was working for me, press red button, select f1 qual/race, press 1 to fill the screen, then when the radio commentry starts 5 min before the action an option for sound shows up and you press left or right to switch

if its a free to air box, its normally channel stream 1 or something, and just select the correct audio

the coverage for the race in spain was great, with a seperate channel just with onboard camera

amacachi

Ghost Train wrote: »

was working for me, press red button, select f1 qual/race, press 1 to fill the screen, then when the radio commentry starts 5 min before the action an option for sound shows up and you press left or right to switch

if its a free to air box, its normally channel stream 1 or something, and just select the correct audio

the coverage for the race in spain was great, with a seperate channel just with onboard camera

Well it was in progress today when I tried, didn't fullscreen it though, shall try tomorrow.

amacachi

So, anyone think Alonso has any chance of points tomorrow? I think he should start on the soft tyres and pit after a lap and just take it home from there. A safety car and he'd be right up front with that tactic.

smellslikeshoes

If he manages to keep out of trouble I'd say so yea, there is a lot of inexperienced drivers to get by on a narrow circuit circuit though and I'd imagine a lot of coming togethers early on. Would love to see a brilliant charge from him.