The Official 2009 Monaco thread
Remember guys practice at Monaco (as per usual) is thursday instead of friday. This is arguably the most coveted race on the calendar. The Monaco Grand Prix is the one race of the year that every driver dreams of winning. Like the Indy 500 or Le Mans, it stands alone, almost distinct from the sport from which it was born. A combination of precision driving, technical excellence and sheer bravery is required to win in Monte Carlo, facets which highlight the differences between the great and the good in Formula One.
The Armco barrier-lined circuit leaves no margin for error, demanding more concentration that any other Formula One track. Cars run with maximum downforce and brakes are worked hard. Overtaking is next to impossible so qualifying in Monaco is more critical than at any other Grand Prix.
The Portier corner is key to achieving a good lap time around Monaco. It is preceded by the Loews hairpin, the slowest corner in Formula One, and followed by the tunnel, one of the few flat-out sections of the track. Some great names have ended their races in the barriers here, most notably Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.
To win in Monaco places a driver's name on a list that includes many of history's all-time greats. Both Graham Hill, the man nicknamed 'Mr Monaco', and Schumacher have won it five times, Alain Prost took four victories, whilst Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart each won here three times. But the record of wins in the Principality resides with the Senna, who won in Monte Carlo six times.
The race has been a regular fixture of the world championship since 1955, but in that time the circuit has changed remarkably little. Slight alterations were made for the 2003 event, in particular a new, gentler entry to the Rascasse corner, with even bigger changes in 2004, with a new pit complex and increased spectator capacity.
Weekend Preview
The biggest racing feast of the year is upon us! Sunday, May 24th, we have the Monaco Grand Prix for breakfast, the Indianapolis 500 for lunch, and the Coca-Cola 600 for dinner. Sadly, the big news for all three will be how will they find the money to survive?
Formula 1 travels to Monaco with the May 29th deadline for 2010 entries looming. Ferrari and Renault have said they will not participate if the FIA sticks with its new voluntary budget cap plus technical freedom rules. On the other hand, some prospective teams have said they will enter F1 under those rules. It wouldn’t be surprising if some of the other marginal teams choose to drop out if there is no budget cap. Ferrari has gone so far as to sue the FIA in a French court. A ruling is expected on Wednesday, May 20th. I guarantee that won’t be the end of the story.
Monaco is old school motor racing. It’s dangerous. If it weren’t Monaco, they wouldn’t dream about racing on this track. Every year they talk about why it isn’t safe to race here and then go do it anyway. It still inspires video games, with its tunnel, casino and fountain, impossibly tight corners, and the run along the gigantic yachts in the harbour. Drivers want to win this race, maybe even more than winning the World Championship itself.
It’s glamorous, as no other race ever could be or ever will be. Monaco is about spectacle, about seeing and being seen. Celebrities that don’t seem to care much about racing miraculously appear for this race. Lots of them. Local hotels that are outrageously expensive the rest of the year become obscene for the week of the Grand Prix. In 2004, the Jaguar cars carried Steinmetz diamonds as part of a promotion for the soon-to-be released Ocean’s Twelve movie. One diamond was lost after a crash and I don’t believe it was ever recovered. This year, Steinmetz will once again put diamonds safely (?) in the helmets of McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen, instead of in the nose cones of the cars. The yachts in the harbour are unbelievable. Several rival the technical sophistication and operating budgets of even the biggest teams.
Formula 1 is known as the series with little passing and Monaco is the prime example. You have to qualify at the front if you want to win. Yet it is far from boring! It’s a brutally difficult track to drive around, even without other cars. There are a few overtaking opportunities, if you’re willing to risk your life, and every year a few drivers do.
The big story, on track at least, will again be whether anyone can compete with Brawn. Red Bull seems oh-so-close and Toyota has shown signs now and then. The subplot will be whether Brawn can compete with itself. After years playing a supporting role to Michael Schumacher, Reubens Barrichello is adamant that he will not be Jenson Button’s understudy. The sub-subplot will be how much longer Brawn can go without a major sponsor.
Track stats
Laps 78
Circuit length 3.340 km (2.075 mi)
Race length 260.520 km (161.887 mi)
Number of times held 66
First held 1929
Last held 2008
Most wins (drivers) Ayrton Senna (6)
Most wins (constructors) McLaren (15)
Lap Record: 1:14.439 - M Schumacher (2004)
2008 results
Pole position: Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:15.787
Podium:
1. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 2h 00m 42.742s (126.170 km/h)
2. Robert Kubica BMW Sauber +3.064s
3. Felipe Massa Ferrari +4.811s
Fastest lap
Kimi Räikkönen Ferrari 1:16.689
Previous Winners
2008 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes
2007 Fernando Alonso McLaren-Mercedes
2006 Fernando Alonso Renault
2005 Kimi Räikkönen McLaren-Mercedes
2004 Jarno Trulli Renault
2003 Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW
Weather
Strong sunshine and clear conditions are the order of the day on Thursday. The morning practice should take place with clear skies. We may see one or two light clouds dotted around towards the end of the afternoon session, but mainly clear skies are expected with a top temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
Friday is set for a repeat performance as the support categories enjoy the track to themselves.
The settled theme continues on Saturday. Dry and mainly sunny conditions are expected, with a touch more cloud around than on Thursday and Friday. The maximum temperature will reach 23 degrees by qualifying time.
Earlier this week, we mentioned the possibility of some light rain moving in from Spain for race day. On Tuesday, that threat increased for a time in the forecast data. However, the forecasts have settled down over the last 24 hours, leading to the prediction of a dry race.
On Sunday, there will be a bit more cloud cover around than on the previous three days, with temperatures reaching 24 Celsius.
Tomorrow, the teams and drivers will take to the streets for two 90-minute sessions of practice. AUTOSPORT Live will be following their every move. Our Thursday coverage begins at 07:45 GMT.
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