Monaco GP Thread - Sponsored by Nytol Sleeping Pills - Contains Practice/Qualifying/Race Spoilers

[Fernando]

Round six of the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship will see the teams do battle around the tight and twisting streets of Monaco for a race that cranks up G-forces of a different kind – meaning there will be plenty of glitz and glamour on show as well as no small amount of grit and determination on the part of the drivers at a track that provides them with one of the season’s toughest tests.

The track may have the slowest average speed of any circuit on the calendar but the proximity of the barriers and the lack of run-off areas means it requires absolute focus and total commitment, especially as early in the weekend the surface is usually very slippery. The winding nature of the track means the teams will bring their highest downforce aero configurations and tyre manufacturer Pirelli will supply its soft and supersoft tyres in order to maximise mechanical grip.

Beyond the need for downforce and good traction, the Monaco Grand Prix is all about driver skill and this, coupled with the race’s history, makes it the one every racer wants to win. In recent years that honour has gone to those wearing the colours of Red Bull Racing, with Mark Webber winning in 2010 and last year and Sebastian Vettel victorious in 2011.

Whether that run will continue is anyone’s guess. Pole position is of major importance in Monaco, with all but two of the last 10 races being won from the front of the grid. On that score, Mercedes look to be the form team, with Nico Rosberg on pole at the last two races and Lewis Hamilton in P1 at the start in China. However, Fernando Alonso, energised by his recent home win at the Spanish Grand Prix, will undoubtedly fancy his chances of a third Monaco victory, while this season’s Mr Consistency, Kimi Raikkonen, will no doubt be in the mix again come Sunday. In truth, on a circuit where the influence of car superiority is significantly reduced, any one of a host of drivers could win F1’s most glittering prize.

Facts

This will be the 71st Monaco Grand Prix, the race stretching all the way back to 1929. It is the 60th Formula One race here, with the principality making its debut on the first Formula One calendar in 1950. It then took a break until 1955 but has featured on the calendar every year since.

Olivier Panis won the 1996 race from 14th on the grid, the lowest position from which victory has been scored here since Formula One began. In a race characterised by wet weather, crashes and mechanical failures, just four of the 21 who started the race were still racing when the chequered flag came out on lap 75 – Panis, David Coulthard, Johnny Herbert. Fourth-placed Heinz Harald-Frentzen was in the pits when the flag fell.

That 1996 win was Panis’ first and last in Formula One. Eight other drivers have recorded maiden F1 wins here: Juan Manuel Fangio (1950), Maurice Trintignant (1955), Jack Brabham (1959), Denny Hulme (1967), Jean-Pierre Beltoise (1972), Patrick Depailler (1978), Riccardo Patrese (1982), and Jarno Trulli (2004). Only Beltoise, Panis and Trulli never won again.

A high grid position is a major advantage here. Since 1950 the race has only been won 10 times from a starting position worse than third place. From third on the grid the race has also been won 10 times since 1950. However, only three of those have come since the turn of the century – Coulthard in 2000, Juan Pablo Montoya in ’03, and Lewis Hamilton in ’08.

The driver starting second has won 13 times since 1950, but only two of those have come since 2000 – Michael Schumacher in 2001 and Coulthard in 2002.

The race has been won from the front of the grid 26 times since 1950. Since 2000, eight winners have started in P1.

McLaren have the most victories at the Monaco race (15). The second most successful team at the track is Ferrari with eight, while Lotus have clinched seven, including their maiden victory in 1960.

Of the current drivers only Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber have multiple wins here. Both have two victories (Alonso in ’06 and ’07 and Webber in ’10 and ’12). If Alonso wins for Ferrari this year he will be the first driver in F1 history to win here with three different teams. His first victory was with Renault and his second came with McLaren.

Of the 2013 rookies only Williams’ Valtteri Bottas has never raced here in single seaters. Marussia’s Jules Bianchi debuted here in Formula Renault 3.5 in 2009 and raced here in GP2 in 2010-’11. Caterham’s Giedo van der Garde raced here in F3 Euro Series in 2005. He also raced here in Formula Renault 3.5 (2007-’08) and in GP2 (’09-’12). Marussia’s Max Chilton made his Monaco debut in Formula Renault 3.5 in 2009 and raced in GP2 in 2010-’12. Sauber’s Esteban Gutierrez first raced here in GP2 in 2011 and again last year

Source:RaceDepartment

[Fernando]

Looks like we could be having a wet qualifying with a 50% chance of rain was only 25% last night so heading up

[Guest]

Not sure we'd want a wet qualifying. Watching the drivers in Q3 attacking the circuit in the dry at full speed is quite a sight, especially from onboard, and if anything, is the highlight of the weekend. A wet race would spice everything up though.

I do think this is a real chance for Mercedes this weekend and they need to take advantage if they do indeed clinch pole or a lockout. I'm Hoping for a Hamilton win just to mix things up and keep him involved in the Championship fight with Alonso/Vettel/Raikkonen.

[dyrewolfe]

"Sponsored by Nytol" - brilliant!

Monaco: stunning venue but not renowned for enthralling races.

If last night's weather forecast was right, it will be very wet in France come Friday. If so, qualifying could be a liquorice allsorts affair. Would expect a few cars and drivers to become intimately acquianted with the barriers.

As John said, if Mercedes can continue their dominant qualifying performances, this has to be their best chance for a win.

[Guest]

I can really see this being a fantastic stategic battle regarding the tyres if Mercedes grab a front row lockout and it's dry. I am sure the Ferrari & Lotus teams are already contemplating, if there unable to achieve pole, a one stop strategy and hoping that the Mercedes car will be unable to last that long on it's tyres, which is entirely possible, especially as the team won't risk a tyre delamination. I can see a big train appearing, as usual, behind the Mercedes.

[Fernando]

If Mercedes get pole the race will be decided who can undercut them and get into clear traffic to put in the laps to get ahead of them

[GSC]

Ugh, worst race of the year

[Critical_mass]

Ugh, worst race of the year

agreed! YAWN!

Im glad F1 is on, but not thrilled that its Monaco. Wish they'd drop it from the calendar but, its too prestigious... bah!!!!!

[Guest]

No point continuing to say 'worst race of the year', Barcelona was dire in my opinion and there will be plenty more to come. Just because there's limited overtaking doesn't make it boring, i'd rather watch an amazing overtake around Monaco, where a driver has been patient over a number of laps, than watching an uncontested, unskilled overtake for the race lead like we saw in Barcelona with Alonso & Raikkonen. It could be wet this weekend too, which could spice the whole show up and mix up the grid and there is the real possibility, if dry, of a intriguing strategical race based upon the tyre and whether or not the Mercedes can last. Maldonando is also impressing again, therefore if it is wet, then anyone could really win this race.

[GSC]

Barca was alright. Monaco is always a big snorefest.

[Critical_mass]

Monaco is the only race i hope for crashes lol... YES thats how boring it is.

[Guest]

I hope for crashes every race, thats how usually boring it can be. We never see crashes or drivers making huge mistakes costing them a DNF because there not pushing on these tyres and arent pushing their own abilities. I mean we havent even had a safety car this season so far. All the action has been so badly and artificially been controlled by DRS and thr tyres, means that the only two parts of the race track worth having a camera at are the pit lane and the DRS zone.

I've got a good feeling Monaco wont be boring this year.

[dyrewolfe]

Well, if nothing else, we're almost guaranteed the Safety Car will see action at Monaco (an absolute nailed-on certainty if its wet).

I have a feeling one or two big names will come a cropper, either through their own errors, or being hit by another car skidding out of control.

Just hope Hamilton isn't one of them.

[GSC]

Mercedes looks quick over 1 lap, Lotus looks very good on race pace.

Sadly only one counts at Monaco and it ain't race pace.

[Guest]

Indeed the Mercedes looked quick, especially Rosberg. There was still evidence though in their long runs that trying to do a one stop is going to be difficult in comparison to Ferrari & Lotus. If they can manage 15/20 laps in the first stint and be leading the race, then they are looking at around 50+ laps on the soft tyre. It could end up with a big train and both Mercedes' limping home or failing in the process and we get a big tyre delamination or them going off the cliff, something which we were denied with Vettel two years ago.

Of course, wet qualifying just makes all this just pointless conversation.

[GSC]

If ever a race needs rain its this one.

I'd love to see a mid runner nick pole in the wet

[SteveG]

Instead of being a so called snoozefest Monaco this year offers salvation to all those fed up with tyres and artificial racing. Barcelona was a joke as it went from being car limited to being completely tyre limited. It may well be a bit of a procession but at least for one race only we're back to drivers, mistakes, and safety cars. Bring it on.

[GSC]

Barca was alright as a race, but Bahrain was a very good watch. Monaco will be worse than either.

Be careful what you wish for when you inevitably get your invincible tyres.

[Guest]

Yeah, exactly SteveG. Just want to see drivers actually being tested and showcasing their ability to drive under pressure. Driving around at 75% saving tyres and their car around normal race tracks is incredibly boring, therefore this should provide an welcome alternative and should provide the drivers with a real test and which should separate the men from the boys.

@GSC - That the exact response I can't stand. We don't want the old Bridgestone's back, I agree with you, they were horrible and processional. We want the tyres to be tweaked, that's all. Pirelli pushed the boundary too far this year and they even admitted that fact. Therefore being less aggressive in their approach and making the tyres slightly more durable and safe from delaminations is all we require. If Red Bull/Mercedes and co. still complain after the alterations then that's their problem.

[SteveG]

IMO what is needed are both durable tyres that allow the drivers to push combined with less aero that allows overtaking. It is then down to speed, driving skills and racing ability - with a sprinkling of tyre management of course.

[Gerry SA]

Looks like there could be a long old train behind the 1 lap racers, Mercedes, during the race.

[CaledonianCraig]

I really don't see pole position being the be all and end all at Monaco this year unless Ferrari or Red Bull seal pole. I say this because if Mercedes seal pole (that looks a very good bet at the moment) sure they may benefit but once their tyres start going off earlier than the rest and have to pit then others will take the lead by staying out longer and hammering in the necessary quicker laps and hence the lead will be lost.

[Guest]

I really don't see pole position being the be all and end all at Monaco this year unless Ferrari or Red Bull seal pole. I say this because if Mercedes seal pole (that looks a very good bet at the moment) sure they may benefit but once their tyres start going off earlier than the rest and have to pit then others will take the lead by staying out longer and hammering in the necessary quicker laps and hence the lead will be lost.

If it stays dry all weekend and its a Mercedes front row lockout then basically that forces everyone to one stop (which they can probably achieve, i.e Ferrari & Lotus). What you've said is more than likely to happen in my opinion. Mercedes running one and two on high fuel will go nowhere and be creating an early train. In normal races, drivers would pit in and try an alternative strategy, like Red Bull do with Webber, but here is a different kettle of fish. Mercedes will go as far as possible and then pit one after the other on successive laps but in doing so will probably lose the race at this point. This is where I would expect a big fight between Raikkonen & Alonso for the win and who can go long, produce the lap time, pit and then come out again in front of the Mercedes pair. Mercedes would have pitted and been held up in traffic and lost heaps of time. That's how in my mind it will unfold.

One thing is for sure, the strategy calls will make or break this race and whoever makes them correctly will be earning their money. Having to deal with safety car situations could also play a pivotal role though. It might be boring in terms of on track action and overtaking but it should be quite an interesting battle of strategy for the win.

[GSC]

Felipe Massa smashes his ferrari into the first corner

[monty junior]

Grosjean in the barrier twice in one session, touch and go whether he'll be ready for Q1. Sutil and Massa should be ok.

[GSC]

Quick though is Grosjean. I make Rosberg favorite for pole, but if a Lotus, Ferrari or RB can split the Mercedes I'd make them favorite to win

[SteveG]

Scratching my head with Hami - thought this was where he re-asserted his authority and yet the further we go into this weekend the bigger the gap to Rossberg. After a decent start I'm starting to get the impression that Hamilton really is struggling to understand the finer details of how his car works. Think this season is starting to pan out into just one long learning curve.

[GSC]

Looking ominous for rain

[GSC]

Massa will be taking a 5 place penalty. Pretty much ruins his chances

[Fernando]

Well it's raining now it's that or they got the umbrella's up for nothing

[GSC]

Track drying and getting quicker.

[GSC]

Someones going to jump on the slicks in desperation and wipe out in a barrier.

[GSC]

Looks like Massa might start from the back

[GSC]

Di Resta fails to make it into Q2, Massa doesn't run.

Van De Garde makes it through for Caterham

[GSC]

Grosjean looked much better than Kimi in a car thrown together.

[GSC]

Grosjean the big casualty in Q2

Is it Mercedes moment? need a 1-2 really.

[GSC]

Paul Di Resta not particularly happy with Force India

[GSC]

Advantage RB in round 1 of Q3

[dyrewolfe]

Cor - that was a thriller!

Rain caused a few anxious moments but in the end it cleared up and quali was fought out between the usual suspects...only Massa missing due to his big accident in Final Practice.

Only a hair's breadth between the Mercedes and Red Bulls this time around but Rosberg does it again! Is that 4 consecutive poles now? Hamilton bags second for a Mercedes front-row lockout.

Vettel and Webber right behind them in 3rd and 4th respectively. Raikkonen 5th and Alonso 6th...he really didn't look happy with his tyres on that final stint. Perez managing a semi-respectable 7th while Button finished 9th, complaining about power issues.

Surprise casualties being Di Resta and Grosjean (Romain looking very quick at one point).

Wonder if we'll get an equally thrilling race, or will this be the highlight of the weekend?


1. N Rosberg [Mercedes]
2. L Hamilton [Mercedes]
3. S Vettel [Red Bull]
4. M Webber [Red Bull]
5. K Raikkonen [Lotus]
6. F Alonso [Ferrari]
7. S Perez [McLaren]
8. A Sutil Force [India]
9. J Button [McLaren]
10. J Vergne [Toro Rosso]

[GSC]

Probably the highlight.

Will Hamilton play nice and keep the pack off Rosberg?

[dyrewolfe]

Probably the highlight.

Will Hamilton play nice and keep the pack off Rosberg?

Well, team orders or no, I'd hope Lewis has matured enough to realise 2nd at Monaco is a pretty good result (assuming they don't get mugged at the start, or passed in the first few laps as in previous races) and only attempts to get ahead of Rosberg if he's pretty sure of pulling it off.

Can't imagine Ross or the rest of the team would be very happy if he tried a marginal overtake and ended both their races.

Have a feeling the weather hasn't finished playing its part yet.

[Guest]

I still think Alonso/Kimi chances are favourable. They know it's a one stop race and their is still a cloud of uncertainty in regards to whether or not the Mercedes and even the Red Bulls can achieve this. If there is a big train and they peel off one by one at the front, then Kimi/Fernando will just go long, pump in the times, while the others have come back out in traffic and squabbling. I'm sure that Brawn, pressured from above his payroll, is going to say, 'whoever leads into the first corner, is the one we back and protect'. I can't see them allowing Hamilton to try ridiculous overtakes around Monaco and jeopardise the team's best chance of a win this season, their only chance possibly. The time for 'Nico's payback' is probably here from Malaysia but even if Lewis holds up the pack to an extent, I still see problems ahead for Mercedes in terms of the tyre or safety car or other environmental factors.

Should be a good strategy based race and just an alternative to the normal tracks we deal with. Rosberg continues to impress but I do agree with SteveG that it does look like Hamilton's qualifying spark just is not there yet, like it was with the McLaren.

[dyrewolfe]

Not sure I agree with that.

Hamilton's qualifying has generally been a lot better than most of us would have expected, given the anticipated drop in performance when he moved from McLaren.

I think its more that Rosberg's performances have been equally, if not more, impressive. Okay, he's been with the team longer and ought to have a better feel for the car, but I think that just emphasises how good Lewis has been in his first season with a new team.

There was less than a tenth of a second between their quali times:

Rosberg - 1:13.876
Hamilton -1:13.967

[Guest]

Dyrewolf, how do you think the race will pan out?

[SteveG]

Hamilton has already stated that driving the Merc is completely different to what he's used to so there's definately more to come the more he drives it and learns how to set it up to suit his style.

[GSC]

Rosberg gets away at the front. Vettel will try hard to jump Hamilton and get closed out by Kimi into turn 1. From there Hamilton slows down the pack and gives Rosberg a window to pit onto the harder compound and Hamilton becomes the sacrificial lamb for being jumped at pit stops.

[SteveG]

can't see Hamilton accepting the role of bridesmaid - think he'll go for it at first corner. Also didn't Lauda state no team orders after Malaysia?

[GSC]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/22672228

Mercedes are at the centre of a technical row in Formula 1 after doing a three-day tyre test between the Spanish and Monaco grands prix.

In-season testing in F1 is forbidden and Red Bull and Ferrari are considering a protest against Mercedes.

Sources say governing body the FIA knew about the test, with contracts outside the rules allowing it to happen.

But rival teams are angry because extra running on tyres could potentially give Mercedes a technical advantage.

Mercedes, whose two drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton will start from the front row for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, have been struggling with heavy tyre usage this season.

The tyres used at the test were development designs for next season, as well as a new tyre Pirelli wants to introduce at next month's Canadian Grand Prix.

Pirelli is aiming to introduce rear tyres that are less vulnerable to delamination following a series of failures.

But the plan is in dispute, with Ferrari, Lotus and Force India yet to approve it.

[CaledonianCraig]

To be honest GSC I say that is a mere storm in a teacup. The FIA evidently cannot punish Mercedes since they knew of the tests in my opinion. It will probably just mean it will never happen again.

As for today's race you have to fancy Seb Vettel strongly for the win. The Mercedes of Rosberg and Hamilton will be cannon fodder once their tyres start going off a few laps before the other teams. Pitting first will allow Red Bull's to pump in the fast laps to get them out in the lead after the first round of pit stops.

[GSC]

Probably, Ferrari getting a bit stroppy recently

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