[ltr317]

Well, Alonso was quickest by the end of practice two yesterday.  At this street circuit, downforce is not as important, so maybe we will see a different front row in qualifying tomorrow.

[FullRangeMan]

Alonso really expect to win this race more than any other pilot, and overtake are hard in Monaco.
And with the help of his faithful squire Massa, it should not be difficult.
Real the best race to see on TV of all F1 calendar for decades.

[richidoo]

Yeah Paul, the track looks fast with the new super soft tires. If they hold up as well for everyone as they did for Vettel then it should be very fast race.

Do you think that the difference in performance between soft and supersoft will allow more passing than usual? I'm not sure that there is enough length on the front straight for DRS to make any difference.

Thursday morning F1 was a treat.   

Go Alonso!

[ltr317]

Yeah Paul, the track looks fast with the new super soft tires. If they hold up as well for everyone as they did for Vettel then it should be very fast race.

Do you think that the difference in performance between soft and supersoft will allow more passing than usual? I'm not sure that there is enough length on the front straight for DRS to make any difference.

Thursday morning F1 was a treat.   

Go Alonso!

Rich - I think there will be slightly more passing than in past years, but not as much as the first five races this year.  There are only two or three real passing places in Monaco.  After the tunnel, breaking into the chicane and turn one after start/finish are the best places.  Most of the track is just too narrow to pass safely, unless a car is having a problem.  DRS and KERs will have minimal affect at this race, and I'm not sure how the supersoft tires will hold up (since it's the first race they are using it) but from several driver comments after practice, they are holding up better than expected.  Cheers, Paul

[mfsoa]

The race won't be decided by passing, but by who can pit and get out with a clear track in front of them so that they can get the most from their tires. It'll be won when few realize - someone who can get a few tenths over a 10-12 lap period and come out of the final stop in the lead.

Or, the Kid runs off into the distance and leaves the rest fighting over the scraps.

Or luck-of-the-safety-car shenanigans.

Or...


So if Vettel wins, is the season "over"?  Can he start to cruise-control like Button 2 yrs ago?  I guess w/ so many races left it's too early, but we're almost to that point.


Wow, they really need to reconfigure that area after the Tunnel, huh?

[ltr317]

The race won't be decided by passing, but by who can pit and get out with a clear track in front of them so that they can get the most from their tires. It'll be won when few realize - someone who can get a few tenths over a 10-12 lap period and come out of the final stop in the lead.

Or, the Kid runs off into the distance and leaves the rest fighting over the scraps.

Or luck-of-the-safety-car shenanigans.

Or...

So if Vettel wins, is the season "over"?  Can he start to cruise-control like Button 2 yrs ago?  I guess w/ so many races left it's too early, but we're almost to that point.

Wow, they really need to reconfigure that area after the Tunnel, huh?

Mike - I think you're right.  For this race, clean air and a lack of traffic will be crucial.  If the kid wins again, I don't think it's over yet, but if he wins the next two out of three after Monaco, then I don't believe anyone can catch him since it will be the half way point (provided the car is reliable for the second half of the season).  Last season, Webber had a hot steak and was actually leading until the third from the last race, where he crashed in the rain in Korea.  He's not giving the same competition to his team-mate this year.

[mfsoa]

As of 9:55 AM Eastern:


AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
WTFFFFFFF!!!!!!!
HOLY CRAAAAAAAPPPPPPP!!!!!

[eclein]

From the way all those track attendents were walled up around the accident scene I don't think its good....

[dangerbird]

I've been watching it,, someone please explain what has happened,,I got it until the top 3 were going thru traffic,,then the accident,,now??? 5 laps after restart?

[eclein]

I'm glad it looks like I was wrong--phew, still trying to figure it out myself...rules changed apparently

[FullRangeMan]

I will qoute myself in the Spain GP thread:
...the third batch are Hamilton and Vettel, both nervous, instable emotionally pilots.
Schumacher was the Dick Dastardly for many years, but this season Dick Dastardly Trophy goes strongly to Hamilton...
I lost count how many competitors Hamilton put out of the race in poorly made passing:
= Massa (directly)
= Maldonado (directly)
= Petrov, Alguerssuari, Paul Di Resta and others in the big crash (indirectly, he started this mess)
A real Wacky Race...

> Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a cat or dog from the street. On the streets pets live only two years average.

[ltr317]

I will qoute myself in the Spain GP thread:
...the third batch are Hamilton and Vettel, both nervous, instable emotionally pilots.
Schumacher was the Dick Dastardly for many years, but this season Dick Dastardly Trophy goes strongly to Hamilton...
I lost count how many competitors Hamilton put out of the race in poorly made passing:
= Massa (directly)
= Maldonado (directly)
= Petrov, Alguerssuari, Paul Di Resta and others in the big crash (indirectly, he started this mess)
A real Wacky Race...

> Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a cat or dog from the street. On the streets pets live only two years average.

   I totally agree with you.  When I started racing, I learn from the other racers that there is an unwritten rule that if you are trying to pass the car in front, then you must have your car nose at least up to their front wheels, and that it's your responsibility to pass safely.  Hamilton did not do that either against Massa or Maldonado, so he is completely in the wrong.   

[nonoise]

I don't know what to think of this race. The course is too slow but tradition (and egos) keep it around. Hamilton did make some bone headed decisions which is not like him. His first pass was brilliantly done and unexpected. After that, he looked like Pablo Montoya, who I thought was the worst at this kind of driving. Now I don't know. Hamilton's interview afterwards was way out of character for him: he let loose some real zingers.
Getting back to that course: its an accident waiting to happen. Anything upfield is going to have repercussions downfield. What was glamorous in the past in now a pain in the ass to get through.
In times past, I liked Monaco. Now it makes me feel claustrophobic to watch it.
And to make matters worse, I dvr'd it and made sure to add the extra 30 minutes to catch the drivers interviews and with the crash (poor Petrov) and the what not, it stopped recording right when they restarted the race.

[FullRangeMan]

Yes, agree too much, in my country this rule work too.
It seems that Hamilton will continue this way, as he said the press that he is being chased by racism. 
A smoke dissimulation useless. I think Mclaren should have someone to guide him, this behavior can cause serious accidents to himself and others.

[richidoo]

"Have at it boys..."   

Hamilton's racist comments were tasteless but sarcastic. He said he was paraphrasing Ali G. His fame is going to his head.

Hamilton is a great star because he is talented and aggressive. Bernie needs that much more than FIA needs rule compliance. He made a mistake and will pay dearly. And he will keep making mistakes, and McLaren will sell sponsorship to Vodaphone because they will see their logo on TV more than anyone else. Hamilton may never be world champion again because of his choices on track, but he is the most exciting player in the world's most watched sport.

Typical whiny blameshifting from Massa after driving it into the tunnel wall. He was ahead after the collision, and he judged his car healthy enough to accelerate to high speed and then he drove it into the clag all by himself - but he must always blame someone else.

It was a great race. I love to see 3 champions fighting at the finish for so many laps. Too bad no chance of their passing at Monaco, but the spectacle and on board shots were awesome.  My Tivo cut out 2 laps short. 

[nonoise]

I don't know if this will post in time but its on Speed as I write this with 15 laps to go (about 20 minutes). For those who missed the ending (myself included) this is some what of a closing.
Again, I hope Hamilton gets his act together as he's my favorite driver. He used to be a class act.

[FullRangeMan]

Typical whiny blameshifting from Massa after driving it into the tunnel wall. He was ahead after the collision, and he judged his car healthy enough to accelerate to high speed and then he drove it into the clag all by himself - but he must always blame someone else.

Hamilton damaged Massa car's suspension, who obviously did not know it yet, in the tunnel the car's wheels had not steering and did not make the curve.
A mess...