Monaco GP

[GreaseMonkey]

I posted this in reply to a previous thread regarding the Chinese GP, but then thought if anyone is interested in sharing their thoughts on the F1 season I should at least start a new thread with an up to date title.
Anyway;

Well Monaco is always the big lottery and can throw up surprises.
My magic powers can not see through all the possible permutations but even if we don't factor in possible rain here are a few tips to ponder.
First we now have 24 cars on the track and a lot of the quick guys have been saying qualifying will be a mess as there will always be a slower car somewhere ahead and it will be hard to get a clear run.
Monaco has always been the hardest track for overtaking chances so the qualifying position is most important here.
Any speed advantages shown by Red Bull or Mclaren so far this year will be minimised at this race, as it requires less power but certainly nimble handling and some teams even make beefed up suspension components just for this race, where strength is more important than weight due to the constant banging on the kerbs.
Results here depend more on the driver than the car, and some drivers excel, some don't like it. The latter group will probably hit the wall at some point. Of the stars, expect;
Button - very smooth, looks after his tyres.
Webber - always goes well here, and won the supporting F3000 race here ten years ago.
Schumacher - excellent record here, (except for the 'parking it in qualifying scandal a few years back).
Alonso - should go well
Rosberg and Kubica could be outside bets too.
Even Kubica's rookie team-mate Petrov was only a tenth behind Webber in first practice, but the hot young guys like Vettel and Hamilton will have to control their more exuberant moves if they are to make the finish without damage.
I will watch the 'qualies' with interest tonight, that should give us a fair indication of the race pattern, but it could be, as I said, that we end up with one or two of the favourites starting at the back, or an unfancied car lucks a front row start.
Always good whatever.
Chris M.

[Inspector]

Said Ball not losing any of its abilities then!

Webber in with a chance tonight Chris would you say?

This has to be great for Australian sport doesn't it, might just stay up late.......

 

[Inspector]

Proud to be Australian!

[260ebenz]

Proud to be Australian!

I did see the first 32 laps and Webber was leading the race.

Did Webber win the race in the end?

How did McLaren Mercedes fare in the race?

The AMG SLS Safety Car how good did it sound and look!
 

Cheers.

[Brad220S]

Mercedes did well, Schmi hasn't lost any of his ability, particularly his ability to seize any opportunity. His move on alonso on the last corner was nothing short of brilliant.
Mclaren had a shocker, the left a cover in the intake of buttons car as he went out onto the parade lap. Car only lasted 1 lap before overheating.

Webber, brilliant. Even being on a track that isn't known for any overtaking, he showed his dominance by constantly pulling fastest laps.

I find it annoying that the media are finally supporting Webber now that he has a car that compliments his ability.
All those that know anything about F1 and even other drivers know that and have said that Webber is one of the most naturally talented drivers in the series. Hes just never had the right equipment, and i think some of the blame for that should go to his ex manager who always favoured his clients that bought the biggest sponsors with them.
Webber (in typical Aussie fashion) worked hard to get where he is today, probably harder than any of the others. He's never had a big sponsor to buy his drives. Just sheer determination, hard work and ability.
Good to see its finally paying off for him.

And now there is talk of a possible move to Ferrari next year in a trade with Massa.
Or possibly Renault as Ferrari would like Kubica, but Renault don't want to let Kubica go.

[Inspector]

I drifted off and missed the whole thing, but what a great result!!

[260ebenz]

Inspector,

Congrats to Webber and Team Red Bull.

McLaren went 1 lap and overheated that is unlucky.

Webber drive a Ferrari one Club/Forum Member Admin2 will be happy about this if it does happen.

Be good to see Webber next year on Home soil at the Melbourne F1.

Cheers.

[GreaseMonkey]

Brad is right about the press recognising him now he is a winner, he has always had a good rep among those who know, just did not the right cars. I first met Mark when he was in Formula Ford in UK.
He was a winner then too.
I next met him when I came over for Jaguar's first GP at Melbourne in 2000 and he was wandering the paddock unrecognised trying to get some backing to do F3000 that year. I wished him good luck and of course he went on to do well even winning the Monaco GP supporting race.
Of course the next time he was back at Melbourne he became an overnight hero for acheiving the unthinkable and scoring points for 5th in a Minardi - his first F1 race.
I next met him when he signed for Jaguar at the end of 2002, coincidentally the same time I was leaving to come to Australia, but he could be forgiven for thinking he was moving to a better team.
Unfortunately Jaguar was going nowhere fast and he acheived little, but of his later move to Williams should have seen better things.
No.
Wrong place at the wrong time again, as Williams were falling out with BMW and then struggled with Toyota engines the next year.
Finally, getting into Red Bull when that company bought what had been Jaguar, saw him start to get results.
I am happy for him now, and also for the guys at Milton Keynes as I had been with that team since it first started as Stewart Grand Prix in '97, before Ford bought it, called it Jaguar, and stuffed it up.
Mark was always liked there, and now under Christian Horner and Adrian Newey, it has all come good.
Let's just hope the press don't give him stick next time he doesn't win!
Chris M.

[BFC]

A little off the racetrack (or is it?) but I could not fail to notice the hint of a Speedster in your signature line Mr M!!  Do tell?
Regards,
BFC