166 replies to this topic

[ArkZ]

Monaco GP is the most famous Grand Prix in F1 (Race of Kings)

Circuit:
78 laps,
3,340 km,
Street circuit,
Track surface is kind for the tires.
Tires for this event SS and Soft.
Track is known from lack of overtaking, most place changes is caused by pitstops.

Winners (Drivers):
2 – Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber
1- Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel

Winners (Teams):
15- McLaren
8- Ferrari
7– Lotus

Most podiums: Fernando Alonso (4)

Lap record:
M. Schumacher Ferrari, 2004 1:14.439 (Race)
K. Raikkonen, McLaren, 2006 1:13.532 (Q)



2012 Results:
Qualifying: 1. M. Schumacher 1:14.301 , 2. M. Webber 1:14.301, 3. Nico Rosberg 1:14.448
Pole Postion: M. Webber 1:14.301
Race: 1. M. Webber, 2. N. Rosberg, 3. F. Alonso
FL: S. Perez 1:17.296

Press conference schedule:
Drivers: Jules Bianchi, Jenson Button, Romain Grosjean, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hulkenberg, Adrian Sutil.
Teams: Robert Fernley (FI), Christian Horner (RBR), Paul Hembrey (Pirelli), Gerard Lopez (Lotus), Franz Tost (TR), Alain Prost (Renault sport F1).

Thursday FP1 10:00-11:30 , FP2 14:00-15:30 (local time)
Saturday FP3 11:00-12:00, Qualifying 14:00-15:00 (local time)
Sunday Race 14:00 (local time)
Weather

Stewards for the race:
Lars Osterlind, Jose Abed, Tom Kristensen.

With tires controversies we are heading to Monaco GP. After 3 PP in a row Mercedes is favorite in Q, with lack of overtaking they have chance to win first race in this season, but with their tire eating car, others can jump them in the pitstops (look Alonso vs Hamilton 2012). Redbull has won the last 3 races in Monaco.

Edited by ArkZ, 21 May 2013 - 22:01.

[Cavani]

any type of race other than 2012 would do

[steferrari]

It's time to Ferrari to win this race again... last victory was in 2001, too far away !
Probably it's not the best track for the F138, but you never know... after all Fernando came close to winning in 2011/2012 and surely he has a better car now.

[goingthedistance]

Merc on pole? Maybe not if Red Bull put all the downforce they've been stripping off to save tyres back on the car.

Edited by goingthedistance, 20 May 2013 - 09:36.

[F1ultimate]

I'm prepared to eat my hat, but a Merc driver can take it this week. The pace in sector three of Barcelona was nuts and Monaco is pretty gentle on tyres. Last year most drivers got away with one stop and most crucially Nico Rosberg finished second. So Merc can do it this year.

[kedia990]

Merc on pole? Maybe not if Red Bull put all the downforce they've been stripping off to save tyres back on the car.

Its not just about downforce methinks, I think its the FRIC-king suspension which will make the difference here, with all the bumps and kerbs in Monaco. Mercs were 3 tenths clear of all others in Barcelona S3 because of the way they could attack the final chicane, this will give them an advantage here.

[EthanM]

Its not just about downforce methinks, I think its the FRIC-king suspension which will make the difference here, with all the bumps and kerbs in Monaco. Mercs were 3 tenths clear of all others in Barcelona S3 because of the way they could attack the final chicane, this will give them an advantage here.

Cars do not exist in isolation over one corner. The setup that allowed Merc to attack S3 in Barcelona also wrecked Merc's tyres so it was wrong. With Monaco being easy on tyres other teams will be free to run setups they couldn't run in Barcelona precisely because they didn't want to wreck their tyres.

Sure Merc is fast, sure it can fight for pole, but it's far from being a foregone conlusion Merc is the fastest car on the slow speed stuff.

[TheThirdTenor1]

On Saturday, there is a slight chance of rain hitting at the end of qualifying.

Sunday is forecast to be dry and sunny.

[TheThirdTenor1]

Also S3 is not really an exact guide of who will do well at Monaco. The corners are slower in that sector but Monaco is still different, has a very different track surface and will be using different tyre compounds to Spain.

In 2012, this is how the cars did in sector 3 in Barcelona qualifying:

1 18 Pastor Maldonado 28.321
2 4 Lewis Hamilton 28.340
3 5 Fernando Alonso 28.430
4 1 Sebastian Vettel 28.577
5 15 Sergio Perez 28.608
6 8 Nico Rosberg 28.617
7 10 Romain Grosjean 28.677
8 3 Jenson Button 28.680
9 7 Michael Schumacher 28.713
10 2 Mark Webber 28.714

and how they lined up in Monaco qualifying:

1 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:15.873 1:15.062 1:14.301 22
2 2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:16.013 1:15.035 1:14.381 19
3 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:15.900 1:15.022 1:14.448 21
4 4 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.063 1:15.166 1:14.583 20
5 10 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1:15.718 1:15.219 1:14.639 27
6 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:16.153 1:15.128 1:14.948 22
7 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:15.983 1:14.911 1:15.049 19
8 9 Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault 1:15.889 1:15.322 1:15.199 28
9 18 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1:16.017 1:15.026 1:15.245 22
10 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:15.757 1:15.234 No time 24

[TheThirdTenor1]

It's time to Ferrari to win this race again... last victory was in 2001, too far away !
Probably it's not the best track for the F138, but you never know... after all Fernando came close to winning in 2011/2012 and surely he has a better car now.

It will be a good test. We struggled in the high downforce circuits in the 2nd half of last season. Let's see if we have overcome that weakness.

[peroa]

Cars do not exist in isolation over one corner. The setup that allowed Merc to attack S3 in Barcelona also wrecked Merc's tyres so it was wrong. With Monaco being easy on tyres other teams will be free to run setups they couldn't run in Barcelona precisely because they didn't want to wreck their tyres.

Sure Merc is fast, sure it can fight for pole, but it's far from being a foregone conlusion Merc is the fastest car on the slow speed stuff.

I just hope they figured that one out too.

Edited by peroa, 20 May 2013 - 10:15.

[SealTheDiffuser]

any type of race other than 2012 would do

2013 will be more boring than 2012; no rain, no action, nothing will happen. Will be the dullest race of the year by quite a margin. Can't understand how people see Monaco as "the race of the year", but hey that is only my opinion.

[charly0418]

2013 will be more boring than 2012; no rain, no action, nothing will happen. Will be the dullest race of the year by quite a margin. Can't understand how people see Monaco as "the race of the year", but hey that is only my opinion.

I agree, I also feel Monaco is quite overrated. It's going to be even worse this year with everyone behind the Mercedes

[ViMaMo]

Also S3 is not really an exact guide of who will do well at Monaco. The corners are slower in that sector but Monaco is still different, has a very different track surface and will be using different tyre compounds to Spain.

In 2012, this is how the cars did in sector 3 in Barcelona qualifying:

1 18 Pastor Maldonado 28.321
2 4 Lewis Hamilton 28.340
3 5 Fernando Alonso 28.430
4 1 Sebastian Vettel 28.577
5 15 Sergio Perez 28.608
6 8 Nico Rosberg 28.617
7 10 Romain Grosjean 28.677
8 3 Jenson Button 28.680
9 7 Michael Schumacher 28.713
10 2 Mark Webber 28.714

and how they lined up in Monaco qualifying:

1 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:15.873 1:15.062 1:14.301 22
2 2 Mark Webber Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:16.013 1:15.035 1:14.381 19
3 8 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:15.900 1:15.022 1:14.448 21
4 4 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:16.063 1:15.166 1:14.583 20
5 10 Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1:15.718 1:15.219 1:14.639 27
6 5 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:16.153 1:15.128 1:14.948 22
7 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:15.983 1:14.911 1:15.049 19
8 9 Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault 1:15.889 1:15.322 1:15.199 28
9 18 Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1:16.017 1:15.026 1:15.245 22
10 1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:15.757 1:15.234 No time 24

Almost the opposite.

[F1ultimate]

I agree, I also feel Monaco is quite overrated. It's going to be even worse this year with everyone behind the Mercedes

Monaco is only entertaining when it's raining. When it's dry the circuit is undoubtedly one of the most boring one. 2011 was borderline watchable thanks to Lewis bumping himself through the grid.

[Jovanotti]

Lap record:
M. Schumacher Ferrari, 2004 1:14.439 (Race)
S. Vettel ,Redbull, 2011 1:13.556 (Q)

Sorry for being nitpicky, but the fastest one here was Räikkönen in 2006: 1:13.532

Edited by Jovanotti, 20 May 2013 - 13:55.

[goingthedistance]

Monaco is only entertaining when it's raining. When it's dry the circuit is undoubtedly one of the most boring one. 2011 was borderline watchable thanks to Lewis bumping himself through the grid.

At least we're likely to finally see a safety car.

[TheThirdTenor1]

Monaco is only entertaining when it's raining. When it's dry the circuit is undoubtedly one of the most boring one. 2011 was borderline watchable thanks to Lewis bumping himself through the grid.

Well i think the combination of the mid race safety car and different stategies from Alonso/Vettel/Button made it interesting enough. Just a bit of an anti climatic ending.

[Maustinsj]

Well i think the combination of the mid race safety car and different stategies from Alonso/Vettel/Button made it interesting enough. Just a bit of an anti climatic ending.

I think you mean anti-climactic (unless the weather was particularly memorable!)

[pRy]

Most pointless DRS zone in F1? quite possibly.

[SpaMaster]

I think it was discover23 who said that they need to give DRS the whole track if they want to give one here!

[TheThirdTenor1]

I think you mean anti-climactic (unless the weather was particularly memorable!)

yes!

[Goron3]

Most pointless DRS zone in F1? quite possibly.

It produced a couple of good moves in 2011, most notably Hamilton on Schumacher!

[Watkins74]

I love this race. The key is to remember it is about precision driving more than wheel to wheel action.

This is the one race I will never miss. Haters be damned!

[Ferrari2183]

I love Monaco. The cars look mighty fast there.

If Alonso can get on the second row (preferably 3rd) I think he is in with good shot at the win.

[Maustinsj]

yes!

Touché!

[aray]

I love this race. The key is to remember it is about precision driving more than wheel to wheel action.

This is the one race I will never miss. Haters be damned!

i agree.......

[goingthedistance]

i agree.......

Totally agree. This track is all about threading the needle, all about who can brush the barriers without smashing them. The highlight of the F1 year.

[undersquare]

I hate Monaco .

Qualifying would be epic BUT we only see a tiny bit of each car's lap. The race is a parade, unless possibly the tyres can save it this year...

[SpaMaster]

Monaco is the best chance for Pirelli to show that they can promote racing anywhere. If they do it at Monaco, I would bow to them. They have already done the unthinkable in Abu Dhabi, and previously brought the notorious Valencia and Barcelona races to life. Monaco is the last stone untouched. If they can bring action into the streets of the Municipality, they would be best tyre manufacturer I would have seen in F1 in a long time! It would also most probably mean a Ferrari or Lotus victory.

[ViMaMo]

I love it no matter what. Nothing like it anywhere else on the calendar. From POV of being a track where overtaking almost doesn't happen, I can and will overlook this part. On board camera of a flying lap of Monaco on high definition big screen TV is just
Monaco requires precise driving, takes no prisoners.

Edited by ViMaMo, 20 May 2013 - 15:35.

[Juggles]

I love Monaco. The cars look mighty fast there.

If Alonso can get on the second row (preferably 3rd) I think he is in with good shot at the win.

Less so now. I think Monaco is one of the clearest places you can see how much slower they are going now than they were a few years ago.

One of my favourite camera shots in F1 was at the left-right hander at the swimming pool - go to 0:40

I know that was qualifying but they weren't too far off that in the race. From that same camera angle the cars looked so pedestrian last year, at least on Sunday.

[Snic]

Monaco is the best chance for Pirelli to show that they can promote racing anywhere. If they do it at Monaco, I would bow to them. They have already done the unthinkable in Abu Dhabi, and previously brought the notorious Valencia and Barcelona races to life. Monaco is the last stone untouched. If they can bring action into the streets of the Municipality, they would be best tyre manufacturer I would have seen in F1 in a long time! It would also most probably mean a Ferrari or Lotus victory.

Don't forget 2010! That was had potentially one of the best (dry) Monaco climaxes ever.. Vettel on a one-stop with horrible tyres at the front, Alonso on a two-stop second, and Button with brand spanking new tyres on a three-stop in third.. Then the damn red flags came out and everyone changed tyres

[PayasYouRace]

I always find Monaco to be exciting and worth watching. There's always something going on during the race and it's most likely to produce an unusual winner. Only Alonso and Webber have repeated victories there in the past 10 years.

[Lazy]

Not a great race to watch imo, but it must be awesome to drive.

[SpaMaster]

Don't forget 2010! That was had potentially one of the best (dry) Monaco climaxes ever.. Vettel on a one-stop with horrible tyres at the front, Alonso on a two-stop second, and Button with brand spanking new tyres on a three-stop in third.. Then the damn red flags came out and everyone changed tyres

I don't think the results would have changed. Such is the Monaco track that even then passing proved to be difficult. This year's tyres are lot less durable than those. Would people try one-stopper? Would few others trust two-stoppers to overtake on fresher tyres? What would happen if someone like Button has fresh tyres with these Pirellis? Or, would the tyre degradation be so severe that it would benefit less-stopping teams resulting in a similar Vettel-Alonso-Button type of clash? Pirelli stands only to gain from this track this weekend.

[Bleu]

Don't forget 2010! That was had potentially one of the best (dry) Monaco climaxes ever.. Vettel on a one-stop with horrible tyres at the front, Alonso on a two-stop second, and Button with brand spanking new tyres on a three-stop in third.. Then the damn red flags came out and everyone changed tyres

2011 actually. I remember that the queue of cars came out of nowhere to be seen at Loews (I still want to call the hairpin with that name) just ahead of leading pack. I thought: this will be interesting. Well, half a minute and we had that crash.

I still don't like the ruling that they were allowed to change tyres at the point. Of course there are safety issues, and sometimes weather issues at the red flag (not at that case). But in general, I would like to see it being:

Slicks may be changed to inters/wets or vice versa. If they make other tyre changes or fix the cars, send them at the back of the pack.

[boldhakka]

If Alonso can get on the second row (preferably 3rd) I think he is in with good shot at the win.

Am I missing something, or did you mean it the other way around?

[apoka]

3rd probably refers to position rather than row.

[Ferrari2183]

Am I missing something, or did you mean it the other way around?

Second row is 3rd and 4th. 3rd is the clean side of the grid not to mention 8 metres further up...

What are you missing?

[boldhakka]

3rd probably refers to position rather than row.

Now I feel silly. I'll leave it up though.

[yr]

... On board camera of a flying lap of Monaco on high definition big screen TV is just

What got me interested in F1, over two decades ago, was when I sat down to watch tv and surfing through channels, I suddenly was wathing a race car driving through streets of Monaco from onboard camera. I just couldnt believe my eyes, "wow, can somebody do that"? , and that was it, I was hooked, I´ve been fan ever since.

Ofcourse todays HD and big screen makes it even more impressive to watch, but nothing beats that jaw dropping experience when I saw it first time.

[Ferrari2183]

Less so now. I think Monaco is one of the clearest places you can see how much slower they are going now than they were a few years ago.

One of my favourite camera shots in F1 was at the left-right hander at the swimming pool - go to 0:40

I know that was qualifying but they weren't too far off that in the race. From that same camera angle the cars looked so pedestrian last year, at least on Sunday.

I must admit, Hamilton looked fantastic through that chicane. With race fuel on board...

[Kingshark]

I'm not too sure if I'd call Monaco the most boring race on the grid even in the dry. Most races there are decent, even without overtakes. It's only the last one that people tend to remember the most.

2002 - Watchable
2003 - Decent
2004 - Exciting
2005 - Fantastic
2006 - Great
2007 - Snoozefest
2008 - Awesome
2009 - Dull
2010 - Meh
2011 - Entertaining
2012 - Boring
2013 -

Edited by Kingshark, 20 May 2013 - 16:59.

[Baddoer]

This going to be horribly boring race.

Edited by Baddoer, 20 May 2013 - 16:30.

[V3TT3L]

It's difficult to race inside a pipeline.

[scheivlak]

I'm not too sure if I'd call Monaco the most boring race on the grid even in the dry. Most races there are decent, even without overtakes. It's only the last one that people tend to remember the most.

2002 - Watchable
2003 - Decent
2004 - Exciting
2005 - Solid
2006 - Great
2007 - Snoozefest
2008 - Awesome
2009 - Dull
2010 - Meh
2011 - Entertaining
2012 - Boring
2013 -

Agree with most of your opinions, but 2005 was fantastic. Wildly diverging strategies creating a lot of suspense, impossible overtakes (even at Loews), comedy moments (Villeneuve/Massa!), a superb drive from the race winner - it had it all.

[rasul]

Australia - Kimi Räikkönen

Malaysia - Sebastian Vettel
China - Fernando Alonso
Bahrain - Sebastian Vettel
Spain - Fernando Alonso

Monaco - Vettel or Räikkönen?

[Kingshark]

Agree with most of your opinions, but 2005 was fantastic. Wildly diverging strategies creating a lot of suspense, impossible overtakes (even at Loews), comedy moments (Villeneuve/Massa!), a superb drive from the race winner - it had it all.

Yeah, I edited that. It's easy to forget what a great race it was, my memory is vague from 8 years ago, so I didn't recall much of that race other than the Alonso vs Williams battle at the end.;)

[ArkZ]

In my opinion this race in Monaco has a chance to be interesting (thanks to tires). On paper qualifying should be between Mercedes (which started from Pole in last 3 races and also scored 1-3 in 2012 Q) and Redbull (which started from Pole in the last 3 Monaco GP editions), this leaves 3-4 rows for race pace setters (Ferrari, Lotus) but I still think everything will mix up in Q and it will not be so clear (Merc-RBR first 2 rows and Ferrari-Lotus next 2 rows). Ferrari and Lotus might try to do one stop less than Merc and Redbull.