1263 replies to this topic

[TomNokoe]

Magical Monaco! F1 returns to the principality after last year's hiatus.

 

Have you missed Monaco? I have missed Monaco. I just can't wait for those exploratory, tentative Thursday FP1 laps, as the drivers learn to walk all over again, slowly building their confidence through Thursday and Saturday morning before the qualifying crescendo. A perfect stage for another chapter of this intriguing championship. We're 4/4 so far this season in Hamilton-Verstappen wheel-to-wheel. If it's 5/5 after Sunday, it'll have been some race.

 

It's not just Hamilton (and Bottas) versus Verstappen (and Perez), nor Mercedes versus Red Bull. Monaco always produces drama. Who dares wins... my money is on a Leclerc Q3 special, or maybe Ocon to continue his superb form? What about the recovering Ricciardo going head-to-head with new-contract Norris in the Gulf McLaren? Will the title fight be gate-crashed by an on-fire midfielder?

 

And that's before considering everything else. Alpha Tauri has always gone well here. Will Gasly be the man of the moment? Can Tsunoda - who has never raced here - fly on his Monaco debut? Will the James Bond-esque, classy themes of Aston Martin's rebrand suddenly ignite on the Monaco streets? Is this where Vettel finally discovers some of the old magic? Can the understated Alfa Romeos usurp their midfield rivals, can someone like Giovinazzi finally strike gold after his unlucky start? What about Mr Saturday? On the Saturday of the season, can Russell weave his way through the streets for a priceless point? And even down at Haas, I am desperate to see just how Mick faces up to his Monaco F1 debut. Mazepin, too, can really make a statement after his tough start. Stranger things have happened.

 

So many questions, so much anticipation. After two years of waiting, we are back on the streets for Round 5 of the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship!

 

 

Circuit

 

Take your pick ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weather, Tyres

Spoiler

The forecast is cool and dry all weekend. 18-19c throughout.

 

 

The first time we have the coveted C5 tyre in quite a while, with super-low tyre pressures to boot. Warm-up and tyre preparation will be extra tricky with the new Pirelli construction and the teams one year out of practice. Tyres alone can transform the order.

 

The standard allocation of 2H, 3M and 8S is rather unusual for Monaco, so expect some strange run plans to try and get rid of the hards and mediums so that the teams can focus solely on qualifying preparation on the softest tyre.

 

Mercedes have pulled two strategic masterstrokes with tyres so far, but opportunities in Monaco are extremely limited. Mediums in Q2? Doubt it.
 

Tyre pressures: 17.5psi front (-1.0psi vs 2019) 17.0psi rear (-0.5psi vs 2019)

 

Schedule

       BST (UK)  |  Local/CEST (Most of Europe)
FP1    1030         1130
FP2    1400         1500
FP3    1100         1200
Q      1400         1500
R      1400         1500

Time zone conversion here.

 

Three support series this weekend - Formula 2, Formula Regional and Porsche Supercup. Full schedule.

 

--

 

14h30mins to FP1 - let's go racing!!

Edited by TomNokoe, 19 May 2021 - 19:15.

[Ivanhoe]

Thanks again Tom, great OP as always 

Really looking forward to this, especially to Saturday.

[P123]

Always great to see the sheer speed of the cars flying around Monaco.

 

Then you get to Sunday and wish it to finish quickly.

[Jovanotti]

My pick


Hoping for Verstappen, Leclerc and Ricciardo having a good one Really missed this track, F1 is not the same without Monaco.

Edited by Jovanotti, 19 May 2021 - 19:15.

[TauriJ]

Raining all monday after the race.

Smh, a race where wet weather is needed to not fall asleep.

[Risil]

Hooray! The narrative I'm picking up from the journos is that this is Max's. Last. Chance. To. Beat. Lewis. I think it's a bit early in what's a very long season to call the championship, but he does need to stop the slide after a very promising first two races.

 

Does anyone have any tips for cars to leap up the field? Any that should be particularly suited to Monaco? I think Leclerc may be onto something too, if only because he and Norris are probably the best drivers right now in cars that won't win.

[Chick0]

I could see Leclerc being on the front row this weekend.. 

[Risil]

Raining all monday after the race.

Smh, a race where wet weather is needed to not fall asleep.

There's some wind and rain in the forecast for Saturday morning, which might affect the F2 runners? I dunno, when is F2 on.

[FLB]

Raining all monday after the race.

Smh, a race where wet weather is needed to not fall asleep.

A dry Monaco produced a *terrific* Formula E race.

Edited by FLB, 19 May 2021 - 19:27.

[Viryfan]

There is a huge patch of recent tarmac all over the apex at fairmont hairpin.

I am attending the week-end in person.

https://twitter.com/...0276381705?s=19

Edited by Viryfan, 19 May 2021 - 19:35.

[Ivanhoe]

There is a huge patch of recent tarmac all over the apex at fairmont hairpin.

I am attending the week-end in person.

Enjoy!

[SophieB]

Yay, Monaco! F1 goes to the seaside to be watched by tanned gits in sunglasses on massive yachts.

 

I wonder who is going to be the first to hit the barriers (and allow the marvellous Monaco marshalls to be able to show off their supernaturally quick car retrieval skills by returning it to the rightful owner five minutes later and having given it a full wash, wax and polish?)

 

At the risk of twisting the knife, was it Monaco that Montoya got pole one year and the cameras missed it? Now I'm typing that, it seems nuts. 

[SophieB]

Hooray! The narrative I'm picking up from the journos is that this is Max's. Last. Chance. To. Beat. Lewis. I think it's a bit early in what's a very long season to call the championship, but he does need to stop the slide after a very promising first two races.

 

Does anyone have any tips for cars to leap up the field? Any that should be particularly suited to Monaco? I think Leclerc may be onto something too, if only because he and Norris are probably the best drivers right now in cars that won't win.

 

Try to overtake at the start of t..oh I see. No.

[Fraser1994]

Verstappen Pole and win.

[Jordan44]

Got to be honest, no, I have not missed Monaco.

Sure, I love every F1 event, but last year’s calendar worked perfectly fine without it.

It’s only there to help uphold F1’s status as an elite sport.

[P123]

Yay, Monaco! F1 goes to the seaside to be watched by tanned gits in sunglasses on massive yachts.

 

I wonder who is going to be the first to hit the barriers (and allow the marvellous Monaco marshalls to be able to show off their supernaturally quick car retrieval skills by returning it to the rightful owner five minutes later and having given it a full wash, wax and polish?)

 

At the risk of twisting the knife, was it Monaco that Montoya got pole one year and the cameras missed it? Now I'm typing that, it seems nuts. 

 

Yes, yes it was.....  a criminal act.  4 tenths on pole and they missed it, except for him crossing the line.  For all the complaints about F1 footage we regularly read in here, at least we get the pole laps in some form.  Missing them was a regular occurrence back then.

[jstrains]

I cannot get rid off the feeling that Lando will win this weekend...

[ThadGreen]

Nice OP.

 

Haven't missed Monaco in the least and if F1, in its current iteration, never raced there again it wouldn't bother me at all.

[FLB]

There is a huge patch of recent tarmac all over the apex at fairmont hairpin.

I am attending the week-end in person.

https://twitter.com/...0276381705?s=19

OT. le Airbus Paris-Montréal à l'huile de cuisson a fait les nouvelles ici

 

OT. On that feed, there is an item about a Paris-Montréal Airbus flying on cooking grease residue as biofuel. It made the Montreal news outlets yesterday

 

https://ici.radio-ca...ement-transport (en francais)

 

On a more racing related note, had the tarmac at Fairmount been applied for the Grand Prix Historique? Or the Formula E race (I can't remember)? Has it had enough time to cure?

Edited by FLB, 19 May 2021 - 19:51.

[HeadFirst]

Love this event. Monaco is, in my opinion, the toughest test drivers face each season. The pole winning lap, will be the lap of the year.

[Viryfan]

OT. le Airbus Paris-Montréal à l'huile de cuisson a fait les nouvelles ici

OT. On that feed, there is an item about a Paris-Montréal Airbus flying on cooking grease residue as biofuel. It made the Montreal news outlets yesterday

https://ici.radio-ca...ement-transport (en francais)

On a more racing related note, had the tarmac at Fairmount been applied for the Grand Prix Historique? Or the Formula E race (I can't remember)? Has it had enough time to cure?

If i look at footage of formula e it was like 2019.

My best guess or bet is there may have been a road accident causing a fair bit of fire.

[as65p]

Nice OP.

 

Haven't missed Monaco in the least and if F1, in its current iteration, never raced there again it wouldn't bother me at all.

You got a point here, those big ugly monsters are least suited to Monaco probably since... forever. Piquet (the real one) remarked in the eighties how racing there was like tyring to fly a helicopter in your living room, nowadays it's probaly more like trying a B-52 in your kitchen....

 

But whatever, I still miss the race. Probably just nostalgia more than anything else.

[MJB5990]

I'm expecting Red Bull to be slightly ahead with Ferrari nipping at the heels of Mercedes.

[PlayboyRacer]

This is always appropriate on Monaco GP weekend.

[Ivanhoe]

This is always appropriate on Monaco GP weekend.
 

Taming the beast.

[ANF]

There is a huge patch of recent tarmac all over the apex at fairmont hairpin.

I am attending the week-end in person.

https://twitter.com/...0276381705?s=19

Sun Casino is also the name of the hairpin nowadays.

[ANF]

Changes to the circuit:
14.1 Resurfacing has taken place in the following locations:
a) The Pit Lane fast lane
b) Exit of Turn 19 through to the exit of Turn 1
c) Exit of Turn 4 through to the exit of the tunnel prior to Turn 10
d) Exit of Turn 11 through to the Entry to Turn 15
14.2 The apex kerb at Turn 4 has been removed and replaced with a painted flat kerb.
14.3 The apex kerb at Turn 14 has been placed in the 2018 location.
14.4 Debris fence has been added in a number of locations around the circuit.

[MasterOfCoin]

Hooray! The narrative I'm picking up from the journos is that this is Max's. Last. Chance. To. Beat. Lewis. I think it's a bit early in what's a very long season to call the championship, but he does need to stop the slide after a very promising first two races.

 

Does anyone have any tips for cars to leap up the field? Any that should be particularly suited to Monaco? I think Leclerc may be onto something too, if only because he and Norris are probably the best drivers right now in cars that won't win.

Have a joker lap at the Nouvelle Chicane?......

[OO7]

Sun Casino is also the name of the hairpin nowadays.

It'll always be Loews to me.

[Risil]

Have a joker lap at the Nouvelle Chicane?......

I specifically meant teams that'll do better than Monaco than they'll do the rest of the year, owing to good traction, a pointy front end, whatever it takes. I'm aware that we won't see any overtaking short of miracles.

[lewislorenzo]

Most boring track on the calendar...didn’t miss it last year

[ANF]

My picks:

 

[Anderis]

This will be Verstappen's final win in a while before Mercedes goes on to win 4 or 5 races in row and crush all hopes for the close championship.

 

A loose prediction, don't get mad at me.

[sportyskells]

I am glad Monaco is back and I wonder who will be the 1st to hit the barrier?

[MasterOfCoin]

I am glad Monaco is back and I wonder who will be the 1st to hit the barrier?

Dunno but HAAS should be bringing extra wings and things...

[mclara]

Some behind the scenes:

 

Edited by mclara, 19 May 2021 - 20:43.

[CountDooku]

I get hyped for Monaco every year, only to feel crushing disappointment on Sunday.
It’s the best Saturday of the season though!

Edited by CountDooku, 20 May 2021 - 06:46.

[alframsey]

I love qualifying around Monaco and I like the sense of speed you get but, as a GP racing event, I almost never enjoy it. Still, a F1 weekend is upon us and I am excited to see who comes out on top in the Lewis vs Max and Merc vs Red Bull battle, plus all the rest.

 

I am going with a Max pole, lead every lap and win scenario if only that he surely is due another win this at this point?

Edited by alframsey, 19 May 2021 - 22:53.

[domhnall]

Love Monaco. Looking forward to seeing that cars hit the track tomorrow.

[Bliman]

One day I will be right. Hamilton crashes with Max and loses his front wing. Max loses two places but then wins the race. Hamilton must retire. The championship will be completely open and a few new threads will be opened about the incident where in the end it will be regarded as a racing incident and it will be stated that people were too quick to say that Hamilton has everything under control. Thank me later

[GlenWatkins]

Saturday is definitely the best day of the year during F1 season for me!  I've been to Monaco years ago  - not on a race weekend - and am familiar enough with the roads to be absolutely amazed by the speed of these cars on those same roads!   Senna was crushing every year at the time, that has something to do with it.

 

Just think, you're in Monaco, in a race car with no one else on the road (did I miss an Oxford comma there?).     Not only can you, but you are paid a great deal of money to go as fast as you can and drive that car like you stole it while your hair is on fire for one lap. Wow!  It's the same way every year since for me.  As for the race on Sunday, Meh.

 

The Monaco GP is definitely on my bucket list, with a La Rascasse balcony ticket.  

[ARTGP]

Dunno but HAAS should be bringing extra wings and things...

 

I would hope not. Lack of spares means you know who cannot participate and ruin the race.

Edited by ARTGP, 19 May 2021 - 23:05.

[Astandahl]

Ahhh Monaco...

I remember Jarno pole like it was yesterday. I was sooo happy for him... One of the best qualifier ever and just 4 pole positions. Always makes me sad.

 

Of course i also always i think about Michael. He was impossible to beat there  (i think he arrived behind his teammate in quali only in 2010, just 0.046 behind NIco who has always been very fast in Monaco) like his idol Ayrton (never out qualified in Monaco).

 

 

 

 

Best moment: one handed through the swimming pool chicane at 43 years old. Arguably one of his best quali lap ever.

[Fastcake]

Call me daft, but I always look forward to seeing the cars go round Monaco. Yes, I know the race will most likely be dull, and there won’t be an overtake unless someone ends up in the harbour, but seeing the cars at full speed through narrow streets and a track that’s remained substantially the same since the beginning is quite a spectacle.

[Anderis]

Personally, I find a boring race around Monaco less boring than an equally boring race around anywhere else.

[MKSixer]

Another great job, Tom!!  Thanks!

 

I'm of two minds on Monaco.  It's great test of skill as well as concentration and held at a track wholly unsuitable for modern racing.

 

 I'm glad it's back.

[SB]

I cannot get rid off the feeling that Lando will win this weekend...

 

Sorry unlikely, most of the time there would be some bad fortunes on the cars with special livery ,,,    

[CoolBreeze]

Unless it rains, prepare for a snorefest. Monaco isn't just for modern F1 anymore. The cars can barely fit there. 

[Dratini]

Hooray! The narrative I'm picking up from the journos is that this is Max's. Last. Chance. To. Beat. Lewis. I think it's a bit early in what's a very long season to call the championship, but he does need to stop the slide after a very promising first two races.

 

Does anyone have any tips for cars to leap up the field? Any that should be particularly suited to Monaco? I think Leclerc may be onto something too, if only because he and Norris are probably the best drivers right now in cars that won't win.

I'm very surprised at how quick people have been to call this season. 23 race weekends, anything can happen, and one thing you can say about Max is that he won't give up.
 

 

Personally, I find a boring race around Monaco less boring than an equally boring race around anywhere else.

Less boring than something that is equally boring? I need to lay down

Anyway.. criticism of Monaco is common but something I'll never be able to wrap my head around personally. The races aren't too exciting, but I'll happily sacrifice a race weekend to see drivers on the limit through FP3 and Quali. The one true test throughout the season of the cohesion between driver and car.

[ARTGP]

Since Monaco is basically just a glorified qualifying session, should F1 do something extra with the qualifying format here?  Single hot lap pace between the armcos has been the entire point and spectacle of Monaco. Could they do more to show it off? 

 

I'd love if F1 did some exhibition stuff in spec cars here. Just time trials. See which drivers adapt the best and don't smash it to bits in the armcos.  Sort of like race of champions. Since there is no actual racing here, I wish they could add a bit more suspense to the weekend.  Saturday qualy is the only real event right now. 

Edited by ARTGP, 20 May 2021 - 03:51.