Mesmeric from Felipe at Monte Carlo

Well, well, the balance of power between McLaren and Ferrari on the twisty, low-grip circuits has changed with the Ferraris marching to a surprise and impressive one-two in a dry qualifying session at Monte Carlo. The work put in at Maranello since last year has certainly paid off. However, this should not obscure a breathtaking performance by Felipe who pulled off an excellent final flying lap(1:15:787) to take pole from Kimi(1:15:815), with Lewis back in third(1:15:839) and Heikki fourth(1:16:165).

Felipe admits he does not like Monaco, a circuit which he says does not suit him and all weekend he has been off the pace of both Lewis and Kimi. But then he went quickest in Q1 and Q2 and then, when it really mattered, he dug in and produced a stunner in the dying seconds of Q3 which left both his rivals looking a bit shell-shocked. Even Felipe was amazed by his own performance, saying he could not believe that he had managed to drive to his third pole of the year.

He said he was not that disappointed with his first flyer at the end of Q3(1:16:399), which left him in fourth(when Kimi was on provisional pole, ahead of Robert and Lewis). "It was not a bad lap but I was missing time in a couple of corners. Sure it was not that far away from Kimi and Lewis and I knew I was able to improve a little bit, but I was thinking they will improve a little bit as well. But I improved a lot(just over six-tenths!) - it was a perfect lap."

Felipe said he started the final lap by braking very late into Turn 1 and just managed to get the exit. Then he was away and ahead of the clock. "So I thought now I have to go for it, it has to be like that at every corner...I managed to do everything the same at every corner and now I am on pole," he said.

It was interesting watching Felipe trackside during practice this morning. Just as he did on Thursday he looked a mess compared to Lewis for example or Nico or Kimi as he threw his Ferrari this way and that with, relatively speaking, very pronounced direction changes in the car and with the back end sliding away from him. At one point in the spitting rain he came very close to losing the back altogether on the exit of the chicane after the tunnel. It certainly did not look fast and, until qualifying, it wasn't.

Felipe has won two of the last three Grand Prix and was second in Spain. Whatever anyone says, he is a proper candidate for world champion this year. The question now is, can he win here tomorrow? Will he cope with the rain and with the extra pressure of starting from pole at the most famous circuit of them all? The word in the paddock is that he is one lap lighter than the Iceman while Lewis and Kimi may be on similar strategies.

Kimi did not say that much apart from that he lost time at the first corner(which seems to have been a problem for Ferrari) on his final lap. Lewis looked disappointed but said he wasn't(he was). He admitted he was surprised by the pace of the Ferraris and that he was happy with both his final two efforts, describing them as "two solid laps". Hamilton added: "I think we lost out a lot in traction in sector two, probably going up the straight and through the tunnel. And in the last sector the time is in stopping in the corners and not being able to brake as late."

Outside the top-four it was noticeable that Robert(5th) whacked Nick(13); Nico(6th) left Kazuki(14th) for dust and Fernando(7th) drove his mule/bicycle like the champion he is while poor young Nelson(17th) had another very bad day at the office. The young pretender is going to have to pull his socks up or his is going to be a short career at this level, one supposes. Then there was DC whose misadventures this season must be costing Red Bull a fortune. This time the Scottish veteran did well to sneak into Q3 but then made an error under braking into the chicane after the tunnel and went for a big meeting with the tyres which protect the crane position(this is near the public lifts we use to get up to our hotel). This looks very like DC's last season(similar rumours are heard about Rubens). 

    

Comments

[Anon]

Well, I'm slightly disasppointed.

It seems that Ferrari has the upper-hand on every circuit. THey will easily storm the championship.

Felipe winning te race seems to be a stretch for me. It would be great as it would liven up the championship, but I hope the rce is interestig and that Kubica and Alonso manage to gobble up the field. N use predicting now.

Heidfeld- what on earth?! He seems so good in Australia, now he just has imploded! And when will BMW stop their conservative quali strategy? Nick will probably finish out of the points.

Renault- I think itis fair to say that Renault is notthe best of the rest behind BMW, McLaren, and Ferrari but that it is Alonso in a Renault which is the best out of the rest. Piquet is just unable tp get close to him!

Massa- I never really liked him, but I guess that this will have to be my onl reason to be excited by this season. He will probably challenge Kimi during the season.Unfortunately for him, Kimi is fast in the rain.

DC- Please replace him with Sebastian Buemi (the test driver) so that we can have a Swiss driver on the grid!

Piquet- Please replace him with Romain Grosjean (the test driver) so that we can have a Swiss driver-who-claims-he-is-French-because-he-doesn't-know-better on the grid!

Barrichello- I don't know how we are to judge the guy. He always seems fantastic in qualifying and always so close to points. His race in Austrlia was fantastic and if not for the penalty, he would have scored three points, pointsd which Honda desperately need.

Glock- Has not really proved himself yet. He better stop getting pounded by Jarno.

[Nik]

And to think that it was only a few weeks ago that Massa was being written off, and now he is the only guy with more than a single pole scored this year and has only dropped 2 points in the last 3 races.

Massa being in form takes points away from Kimmi and in-turn, opens up the drivers championship. It's all great stuff..

[Keith]

I don't think we can call Massa's lap "breathtaking" until we know how much fuel he has on board.

If he's as little as one lap lighter than Raikkonen or Hamilton, with an qualifying advantage of just a few hundredths of a second over either of them, then his performance was not phenomenal but functional.

[javiervivaespania]

Excellent race for Ferrari. It is very nice to see our Champion's car for next year being so fast. Magic will break all records with it. I am already laughing in joy.

As for Hamilton, he is just struggling to be faster than Kovalainen (he was faster than Hamilton in the Q1, with a time 1:15.295 that Hamilton could never reach, poor boy), with the help of Magic's telemetry data from last year.

And Magic was magnificient, driving masterfully that "car": his time in the Q2, 1:15.827, was better than Hamilton's in the Q3. I know you will have excuses, like the petrol load and so on and so forth, but precisely Magic will start with a lot of fuel tomorrow and will stop after the rest.

[Cap]

I get the feeling Robert could have been third - he says he allowed his tyres to cool too much on his out-lap to create a gap to Lewis. If you look at his first run compared to the others and how they improved, the McLarens escaped.

He's the only one in the top seven who under-performed badly on his second run.

I'm not sure if rain on Sunday will affect things at the front that much, apart from mistakes and accidents.

I'm happy for Felipe. Constantly under-estimated and maligned next to Kimi. Comes across as a genuine straightforward and open person. Willing to analyse his problems and try and try again. Good to see.

A few weeks ago, one of the Ferrari bosses said they need to get Kimi to operate at a consistently high level; he often gives the impression of under-achieving (and Felipe the opposite) like in qualifying today. Based on their respective pace over the weekend, even with a heavier fuel load, Kimi should have been able to win pole.

Race prediction: Clueless!

[IDR]

I’ve made some calculation according to Q2 times, and what numbers show me is that Felipe has more fuel than Kimi as Kova has more than Lewis. Kimi and Lewis seem to be more less equally fuelled.

In any case, I think that the driver with more fuel on the track is Nico, and maybe, could give to Williams a big (and good) surprise.

[CHIUNDA]

Oh what the hell, i will take a risk and make a prediction and it is that the top three will finish the race the way they start it.

Ron Dennis is making noises about being heavier than Ferrari which frankly is confusing me a lot ie he could have reduced the fuel by a lap and gone for pole and guaranteed a win more or less. Unless somehow the mathematics of playing probabilities with rain and safety car issues created some academic model that mere mortals like me cannot understand.

McLaren got lucky with strategy in Turkey. I wonder whether tomorrow they go back to their usual blunders.

[CHIUNDA]

Ron Dennis says "Especially in Monaco you can destroy your race with a smaller fuel load and it is easy to make a wrong decision in that respect. With a good start, and if we can stay out longer, even from the second row it is possible to win here."

Can somebody explain to me in a lay man's language how a smaller fuel load can ruin a race on a circuit whose most significant requirement is pole position? Especially if McLaren does not manage to stay out longer?

[Felipe]

It's funny how quickly things change in F1. It's now Kimi who is under pressure from Felipe?

what's with Nick? he had such a solid year last year!!!

[Dean Rodrigues]

Javier, once again you have absolutely hit the nail on the head! Centuries of physics have actually been completely wrong, as adding mass to a moving object should, in fact, make it go quicker! Which makes it all the move RIDICULOUS that Lewis Hamilton, with a car full of speed-enhancing fuel, was unable to eclipse Lord Fernando's machine that was free of any of the corruptions that petrol brings to a racing vehicle. You should write a thesis and hand it into the Science Journal. I'm almost certain a Nobel Prize awaits...

[BBARRERO]

I agree with Massa and Renault.

Massa's numbers demonstrate that Kimi is not so great driver as the Brazilian is matching him in every race.

I think Massa is not a great driver, he's just an average driver with the best car in the Paddock. Exactly as Patrese in 1992 and Barrichello in 2004.

And I think that all teams are giving thanks to God that Fernando is in Renault. If he was in Ferrari, it probably be as boring as it was when Schumacher was racing.

For the race, I'm still betting on Kimi or Lewis, but it would be no surprise if Heikki is the final winner.

[tiptoe]

IDR show us those calculations please, don't be shy.

[THECANADIAN]

A few months ago, I used to grit my teeth at Javier's 'Magic' fever staining the blog.
Now, I usually scroll down and seek his comments before reading all others; he makes me laugh out loud.
Viva Magic! Hahahah...

[colin grayson]

javier , we already know you understand nothing about F1 cars and drivers
it really isn't necessary for you to keep demonstrating it

[James C]

There's a good chance it'll rain tomorrow, according to the forecasts - in which case, it could turn out to be a lottery.

Rain, without traction control, in the most unforgiving circuit in the season for mistakes - might even see an Olivier Panis-style shocker.

Jenson, now's your chance!

p.s. What's this rumour doing the rounds about Fernando and a certain Debbie McGee? Sounds absolutely scandalous.

[Anon]

I think it will rain tomorrow, which should make Heikki, Fernando, and Kimi happy.

Random race pred:

Kimi
Lewis
Felipe

But I already know it is wrong i don't know.

[Weasel]

Congratulations to JAVIERVIVAALONSO for another fine pole position for irrelevance. You have won every one last season and this, and look to repeat as World Champion of Stupidity.

[sean]

An interesting article as usual Ed, your writings are becoming an essential part of each F1 race to me,and I'm sure to a lot of others.

There's a nice piece from Mark Webber on the bbc website, explaining the approach drivers take to Monaco's unique challenges. The link for it is http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/7406997.stm

(Feel free to remove the link if this contravenes your rules somehow)

[BBARRERO]

We're not talking about Kubica, who has made very good qualifying laps today.

Also, in wet condition, we'll have to see to Nico Rosberg, who already finished fifth last year on a Williams which was worse than their current car.

[supercampeaobrasileiro]

GO MASSA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cap]

I have a question for all (Ed?):

Coulthard qualified for Q3 but did not run because of his accident in Q2. Drivers in Q3 carry their fuel from the beginning of that session through to the race. So what happens to Coulthard? Are they allowed to put any fuel they want into his car, even though he made it into Q3?

[Pau]

I like Alonso but I hope Javier's post was just a joke...

Anyway, grandprix.com is reporting that FA has signed for ferrari and will drive for the scuderia in 2010.

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20397.html

[Carleton Twitchell]

Its all about getting in front and staying in front ...so my money is on
Mclaren waiting out Ferrari ..coming in just as Ferrari go back on track tho this time with a lighter fuel load for a short squirt to stay out ahead ...then if theres rain ,,that'll mess up all the tactics .. especially if its a drying circuit .. leads on wets soon evaporate and intermediates or drys catch up fast... it'll all be down to tyres .. particularly with no traction unless you have the Honda '7 'cylinder :).Remember the turbo years ... little 1400cc Renaults blowing them away ... awesome. Wonder if we'll see a TDi F1 car a la Audi R10?
Bet theres some yachts bobbing up and down in the harbour tonight!
So lets see if Monaco will allow cars to race without traction shall we ? Of course over here on the tother side of the Big Pond everyone will be watching that sexy bombshell Danica Patrick climb into her Indy car and compete in one race that was once reckoned to cost what all the F1 races put together cost .. wonder if that applies now or if F1 surpassed it on budget ..mmm. I did hear that Indy is going "global" ...wonder who's behind that move . Now let me guess ....Nice one,guvnor.

[D]

^
JavierVivaAlonso >

This is for you, our much appreciated friend;

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns20397.html

Enjoy!

(Though it looks like you'll have to wait out 2009, along with the Asturian Ace himself.)

I wonder which Finn will be champion by then...

[Gary M]

@ Chiunda

"Can somebody explain to me in a lay man's language how a smaller fuel load can ruin a race on a circuit whose most significant requirement is pole position? Especially if McLaren does not manage to stay out longer?"

What I presume Ron Dennis was alluding to is the fact that we all have assumed that getting pole position and thus leading the race was the sure fire way to win the Monaco Grand Prix, It of course does make logical sense and the stats if I could be bothered to go and look probably back that up.

But what is actually more important is that you are leading the race after the first round of pit stops, that I would guess is the more important time to be in the front. Now one would assume that being in pole position is probably the best way to guarantee leading after the first pit stop but perhaps RD actually thinks that doing the first stint on a heavy fuel load behind the Ferrari's and once they have made their stops having 4-5 laps of clear air and the much faster car will ensure that they come back out of the pits in front.

I think he has probably got a point, it is a risky strategy though. You have to be confident that even with a heavier fuel load you can hang on to the back of the Ferrari's. With Massa's admission that he is not quick enough around this track I would think that RD thinks that will not be a problem.

Both McLaren drivers claim to be on a strategy that will allow them to finish in front, it is really odd hearing that said before a race though. McLaren sound more confident than I have heard in a long time.

But, with Massa's comments and the fact he has Lewis right behind him I can see some Ferrari team tactics playing a part of the start and will not be surprised at all to see Massa try and hold Lewis back of the start and allow Kimi through. Of course the danger for Massa is it also allows Heikki through or Lewis gives him the slip (The way Lewis starts this is a real danger).

The McLarens have been quicker than the Ferrari's all week so I would assume they are fueled a few laps heavier, despite what I said I am not really sure whether or not it makes sense, but Ron must think so. With all respect to IDR I think he is probably wrong with his calculations this time or at least using more than a little wishful thinking.

I am still going to call a Lewis win with Heikki second and Kimi 3rd. I think the obvious advantage of having Alonso's telemetry data* will help Lewis Hamilton greatly (Thanks to Javier for giving us the heads up on that one). We all know that without that data from FA that Lewis is a pretty average driver.

* I assume this would not however be the data from Alonso's practice session where he could not keep his car on the road?

I am looking forward to what I hope will be a great race!

[Anon]

"Can somebody explain to me in a lay man's language how a smaller fuel load can ruin a race on a circuit whose most significant requirement is pole position? Especially if McLaren does not manage to stay out longer?"

Totally agreed Chiunda. Anothr thing is that longer stints lie McLaren want to do are likely to get messed up by safety car periods which will likely happen if it rains (considering this is the first street race without TC). If they get by the tn-second penalties, their race will then be ruined.

[Kohque]

Hamilton spoke too early this time:

Commentator: "Does he consider this the best chance of a race wing after Melbourne?"

LH: "I definitely would say so, because we know we have a good car in tight circuits and...I think the driver makes a huge difference here... I think for my abilities I am best suited for this circuit".

After practices he was a bit full of himself. His performance in tight circuits is not that impressive. Last year in Monaco, he made a lame comment to excuse himself from the huge gap between Alonso's performance and his own, both with McLarens (unnecessary given he was in his rookie year).

This year Hamilton is not precisely shining in this circuit either. So, is he so good? Yes, no doubt. Give him a fast, open circuit and he will squeeze time out of every curve. Give him Monaco and the only you see is a guy that need few more years to learn how to drive a Formula 1 car through tight corners.

Rosberg really shined, and so did Kubica and Alonso when compare with their team mates. I would like to see Rosberg in Ferrari and Kubica and Alonso in the same team next year. Kubica and Alonso are still my favorites drivers, but I am curious to see how fast can Rosberg be with a good car.

Monaco is truly the test circuit that separates potential champions from good drivers.

[IDR]

@TIPOTE

I didn’t publish any calculation because for this race, maths can lie so much. There are much more factors to take in consideration than in other races as for example, the difficult drivers have for repeating a flying lap, I have not been able to take care of what tyre compound were using the different drivers during Q2 and Q3 (I think F Alonso, Trulli and Webber where on supersofts for Q2 but I’m not sure at all).

On the other hand, the advantage of one lap of fuel has 50% impact on times than for other races. In Monaco, one lap of fuel represents 0,048 Sec. of time.

What I see is that everybody here, forgot the extraordinary lap Felipe made in Q2 1:15.110, as Nico Rosberg that finish his Q2 with a lap in 1:15:287.

Keeping in consideration that for Q2 they are fuelled for more less 10 laps, and if you transform the time differences between Q2 and Q3 in number of laps in excess, that will give you an indication of how much fuel each driver added for the first stint of the race.

But as I told firstly, for this race the results of this calculation much be considered very carefully because the impact of other aspects could affect much more here than in other races.

But if lap differences between two drivers are so high, this calculation could give you a good indication for comparing team-mates strategy. For Ferrari, this calculation shows that Felipe should have more fuel than Kimi for 5 Laps. I can’t say that Felipe has 5 Laps more of fuel, but, as the difference is high, indicates me that Felipe should have more fuel than Kimi.

Anyhow, all of this bloody exercise could more or less be useful under a normal race.

As the forecast for today is rain, forget about stats, and enjoy the race. Is going to be crazy!

[Andy G]

Nice one Javier! But it's 2010 not next year. You will have to keep that grin going for another 22 months (if it's true).

Q1, Hamilton did a few casual laps to put some sort of time on the board, check the data, hardly a struggle more of a stroll!

You know as well as everyone does that Q2 times are a second or so quicker than Q3 because of no fuel/race fuel.

Very amusing in a brain-dead kind of way!

[José Luis]

Ed. This is off-topic (tried to find your email to no avail) but have you read the article Wired is currently running?

http://www.wired.com/cars/coolwheels/magazine/16-06/ff_formulaone?currentPage=all

Regards and keep up your excellent work.

[Andy G]

CHIUNDA

Low fuel runs the risk of stopping early and coming out behind traffic (which you will do) but then being stuck there for a long time.

So unless you can realistically put twenty something seconds on the field, you want to time it for around the same zone as the other two stoppers.

One stop is theoretically quicker but then you're stuck with traffic. So the two stoppers (most main players) will want run a longish first stint also so that ongoing field spread takes care of the risk of coming out behind any potential one stoppers like Coulthard or 11/12.

McLaren will be focussed on traffic and having a way to deal with safety periods across the two team cars.

Given they don't have much pace difference to the Scuderia, that comes down to fuelling a little longer (they hope).

[javiervivaespania]

While you can insult me I have to watch my mouth, right? Well, I always do.

It is not news for me that Magic will be wearing in red very soon and breaking all records to become the biggest legend of Ferrari ever. Thanks for the link, Pau and D, anyway, which joins my other sources.

By the way, I was breaking no physics law with my comments, I was just making fun of those who use the explanation of petrol load by saying something that was obviously just the opposite. And you call me stupid, ha, ha!

By the way, I have the feeling that our Champion will make it to the podium today and will be dancing the "chiqui chiqui" on top of it. I am already dancing the "breaking dance" and the "Robocop".

[Andy G]

KOHQUE

Are you from the planet mental?

1. LH has been hugely quick here for years in every category! And everyone but you knows that!

2. LH was quicker than FA last year!

3. In the interview LH's words mean (i.e. in English) "my style is at it's best at this circuit" which is not at all arrogant.

The main problem with some of the "Euros" in terms of the purported LH "arrogance" point is that they don't understand English sufficiently to see plain meaning let alone nuance.

[colin grayson]

will be interesting to see what the fuel loads were if it stays all wet or all dry , the only circumstances which will tell us
if the weather forecast for the race is mixed , the normal ML strategy is to go long on fuel in Q3 ....gives the flexibility as to when to make the wet/dry tyre change [ or dry wet :) ]

looking at the beausoleil forecast I have a nasty feeling we aren't going to find out however ,looks like wets to start , drying out ...question is how quickly

[D]

^
It's a particularly difficult race to call. At Monaco, anything can happen at the start; then it's invariably processional. Rain would turn it into a lottery.

Felipe usually takes a lot of beating when he can lead from the front, but here it's different. He makes no bones about the fact that he dislikes racing at Monaco; it doesn't suit his style. He managed to go into Michael Mode for one sensational lap when it really mattered - all credit to him - but was otherwise looking ragged, untidy and ill at ease all through practice and qually.

So, apart from fuel strategy (which is far from irrelevant!) the question hinges on whether Felipe can stay precise under pressure for the whole race and not get flustered or entangled at the start nor when he has to start making his way through the back markers.

Lewis is on a mission this weekend- when he can take time off from diversionary stunts and appearances organised by his father with sponsors - so Heikki would be well advised, politically, to stay out of his way and settle for a solid result on this one. Unless Lewis is eliminated by anything untoward.

Going into this race, Heikki is now 21 points behind Kimi, so his own championship hopes for 2008 are starting to look pretty remote. He's approaching the point at which he'd be expected to start not jeopardising Lewis's chances. (A situation which, personally, I would love to see him reverse.)

So, after all this preamble for which I hope you'll forgive me, my own prediction would be:

1. Kimi
2. Lewis
3. Heikki

They'd better watch out for Robert, though!

The wonderful thing about Formula One is that anything can happen and all these meticulously argued predictions go straight out of the window when the red lights go out and they charge off the grid.

Had a strange dream last night: they set Max Mosley off in his underpants and gave him half a lap start before unleashing the cars...

Enjoy the race, everyone! Let's hope it's a good one.

^
IDR >

Thanks, as always, for doing the fuel-load calculations. I really appreciate the insight this gives.

You are a hero. :-)

[CHIUNDA]

Gary M and Andy G

Lets hope McLaren's risky strategy works. But where i sit, they could still have got the same results the easier more tested way. I am just thinking their strategy is not good if it rains or if there are safety car issues because they are denied flexibility. Anyway we will know in less than 2 hours!!!

For the rest of you guys whining about Javier ... learn what i did; you see his characteristic drivel, you scroll down to the next comment :) easy and painless!

[IDR]

@JAVIERVIVA"LA VIRGEN"

I think some of us has "adopted you" as "the mascot" of this Blog.

But there is a very thin line between being funny and become annoying.

Take care,

[colin grayson]

maybe not quite the correct place to mention it , but well done mike conway for winning the GP2 sprint race after some idiot in a lapped car punted him out of a podium place in saturday's race

really looking forward to the GP ; the leading teams can't afford to gamble , but lesser lights like alonso can gamble on fuel/tyres /risky manoeuvres as they have nothing to lose

[BBARRERO]

@ IDR

Wise words as usual for this last post.

For the race, I've seen a pair of webcams and it's a very very grey sky so I think that we may see an exciting race today.

My bet on a dry track:

1. Kimi.
2. Hamilton.
3. Kovalainen.

On wet condition (it's a lottery, but to say something):

1. Kovalainen.
2. Rosberg.
3. Alonso.

Cheers !

[joan]

You know, IDR, what is funny to me?
People writing here who think they know about F1.
And galling as well.

[Richard]

Post Race: Hamilton made winning look too easy. A Blinder from a future champion.

The Championship could be said to be tied (though not in points.

2x1st + 1x2nd + 1x3rd = Lewis=Felipe=Kimi

[I own a Ferrari]

Good but lucky race for Lewis: the key was the first safety car...definitely. No safety car, he w[probably would have finished 4th or fith

However, ferrari will bounce back...no doubt about it

[B Cave]

Javiervivaespania, how did you like Magic today? Ho ho.

Couldn't help gloating as your ridiculous comments incite something in me akin to childishness.

Needless to say, I'm so THRILLED by today's result. What a man! Wooo hooo go Hamilton. You've made all your fans so happy today.

And finally, can we please keep all our predictions and prognoses about the championship a bit more circumspect? As you can see, anything can happen in F1 right up to the last race, so it is really silly to write off the top 5 or 6 drivers at this stage.

[B Cave]

Gary M, your comments always make me howl!

[B Cave]

To Kohque, Hamilton bit full of himself, eh? He loves Monaco, he has a racer's temperament, he loves to win. He's not full of himself, he knows that he is a Monaco expert as he won in F1 and GP2, and he deserves to win the F1 WDC this year!

[B Cave]

"Monaco is truly the test circuit that separates potential champions from good drivers." quote from Kohque.

Oh how I agree with you!

Sorry for posting so much, but emotion is high for me at the moment after the Hamilton win.

[Derek Smith]

Now that is what I call an enjoyable race.

A great win by Hamilton and it's good to see his thorough enjoyment of the occasion. Even more so for Ron Dennis. He was over the moon. Nice to see RD move into the shadows at the national anthem to allow cameras to concentrate on Lewis.

Massa continues to confound my poor opinion of him. I thought that he would be roundly trounced by Kimi and the first couple of races reinforced this but since he's got his confidence he's been a revellation. Kimi had a race to forget. Perhaps he and Alonso could form some sort of club.

Ferrari tactics have suffered since the loss of Brawn - as any team's would of course. But they do need to get a grip. Quick thinking by McLaren ensured Hamilton had an advantage that wasn't under threat despite the late safety car.

Good race and good that MM wasn't there to mess it all up.

But Sutil and Force India! It's enough to make you cry.

[CHIUNDA]

What a race in Monaco!!! Fantastic edge of the seat stuff all the way to the 120th minute!!! Naturally i am delighted that Lewis grabbed the 10 points. Congratulations Lewis and McLaren.

I recall the outcry last year in the rain at Japan after Vettel's crash into Mark Webber and i am wondering whether we shall hear the same for Kimi's accident that ruined Sutil's and Force India's first possible points after a faultless drive from the backmarkers.

Ed, i am looking forward to your behind the scenes and "real air" update - maybe we can go back and pick up where we left on Pervy Max and try to hound him out of office through online gossip :))

[Anon]

OK, here goes.

First off, congratulations to Lewis.

1.) Lewis- very good. But remember, his drive was really won on McLaren strategy. If not for his pit strategy, Kubica would have triumphed as Lewis made a mistake forcing him to pit.

2.)Kubica- really, a king of Formula One. Still happy with P2, even though he narrowly lost. Completely dominating Heidfeld.

3.) Massa- OK, I guess. To those who are surprised that Massa is one point behind Kimi, I suggest this: go to the official F1 website, load Kimi's and Massa's respecgtive points over the year, and watch them accumulate. They were abslutely al over each other, and for most of the season were consistently oertaking each other in the points. Italy finished off Felipe, however, and this was not a mistake from him, however. In fact, Felipe only made mistakes in Malaysia (where he still scored points), Canada (if you think the penalty wasjust) and Hungary (if you think he could have gotten ito the points). I know Felipe made some mistakes elsewhere, but he really never had an accident as far as I can recall. (Now I'm worried that I'm forgetting a race, but I don't recall Massa having an accident).

4.) Webber- fantastic! What a score for this season! Coulthard owned. Webber shbould look forward to a role as a secondary driver for Ferrari or something big like that.

5.) Vettel- perfect remedy to a bad sart to the season, eh? Defends F1 pilots' honor by overtaking Bourdais, the Champ Car champ, in the points.

6> Barrichello- at least one pred I got right! If not for Kimi's and Adria's demise, he would have been exactly whre I predicted. A great driver, and he looks set t have a god season! Now can I say soomething really radical? I think he is better than Button this season. I ean, just look at Australia!

7.) Nakajima- Kaz v. Nico goes on as Kaz rakes in more points. Bar Australia, hewould lead Rosberg by two. BTW, I love Keke Rosberg (first time I sw him today), seems like a really nice chap. As for Nioo, hope he is OK. He is in the hospital for standard check-ups. His crash was pretty amazng to see on normal speed (SPEED in theUS have a tendency to put stuff in slo mo, more so I think than Europen channels).

8.) Heikki- OK, I'm gonna get labeled a conspiracy theorist. o be it. I't i amazing thaqt for the past three races, Lewis has had very good strategies and a car that is working very well? Meanwhile, Heikki has been DNFing or not starting. McLare cannot win the championship with one pilot. BMW's strength is delpoying both its pilots (except for when Heidfeld messes up, more on that below).

9.) Kimi- OY! Just when we think he is the greatest on the grid, he messes up. First- gets overteaken by Lewis, bad getaway. Disappointing. Collision at Ste Devote- forgivable. Destroing Sutil-
I'm still angry. Force India could have raised millions out of this- a fourht place at the richest circuitof them all! Kimi also screwed his lead over, he could have a one-point lead now! But maybe I'm a little harsh- it wasn't like he was doing a crazy overtaking mneuvre that failed, he simply spun. But the track was getting dry...
10.) Alonso- Alonso is in a sort of Renaissance. He is trying to get back more of his vital rookie energy, the kind that made him do stuff like overtake Schumacher in Hungary and Massa in the Nurburgring, etc. His race is going to be proclaimed as horrible by some but it wasn't that bad...

a. Beautiful getwaway, Kubica mentioned ow he was afraid Alonso eas going to overtake him.

b. crash- so what, Lewis too.

c. Heidfeld dillemma- OK, here he messed up. What he wa thinking, probably, was that Heidfeld would realize that he ws coming through and that tere was no way to stop him. Heidfeld didn't realize hat, but in a sense he should have- he would havea lot better race if not for that incident.

d. Fernando has the sheer courage to put drys before everyone else. He may have donethis because he didn't want Nelson tooutrun him, and so he was probably taking risdks. In any case, he drover superbly thereafter, only making one small mistake (running through the chicane). He also set third-fastest lap, an amazing feat considering the Renault he is drving. Meanwhile, Nelson peacefully crahed out.

14.) FOUR LAPS DOWN! What on earth is wrong with Nick? He can't take Kubica outrunning him or what?! He better score a good result in Canada, his favrace, or else he is done for! Which severely annoys BMW, whose test drivers Marco Asmer (rookie) and Christian Klien (turned down by Force India) don't seem that great of an option. Perhaps they can uy vettel out of STR? Or they could go radical and get Senna- but no, BMW are really a Germanic-helvet-easterne-europe kind of team- a mix of Swiss, German, Hungarian, Austrian, and Polish stuff. Like Frrari and Renault with Latins and McLaren with Nordics and Anglo-saxons, I think they will stick to their own culture. So they better hope Nick gets back on form.

DC- OK, when will you fire him? "I Ket correcting, correcting, and correcting" or saying the car did something weird does not exempt you from having crashed two Red Bulls in one GP! Replace him fast, with Buemi or Vettel.

Senna- wins the GP race right? Great guy, I saw him on podium, and he looks just like Ayrton. It woul be astounding if he drove like him too.

1.) McLaren- Back again! A solid pace, but still- Ferrari still lead the constructor's, they have had no one-twos to Ferrari's two one-twos (how's that for a tongue-twister?). They CANNOT win this championship with a Hekki Kovalainnen having to mix it with Button, Glock, and Piquet to score points. Meanwhile, Webber has now tied Heikki in the points! Incredible! Both Heikki and Leewis posted good results in Canada (1-4) so expect them to be very strong there, but...

BMW- expect them to be better! With Heidfeld qualifying third last year, they should have a solid chance for win, that if is Nick wakes up. Oh, and maybe Kubica will show us his "salto mortale" skills. Expect him to be really good, though.

Ferrari- Oh no, we culdn't five race wins in a row! Remember, the circuits at the end of the year (Brazil, CHina, Belium, France, Britain) were all Ferrari, so once were past Canada, it's downhill for McLaren.

Red bull - impressive, really impressive.

Canada- so difficult to predict. McLaren and BMW will go out at it violently here. It'll be close, but McLaen lack or reiability might give the day to the ever-more-powerful BMW squad.

Force India- really great team. I wish the best for hem this year and hopefully they can strike bck like Vettel did and score major points soon. Anyway they launched a

Complaint against Kimi- saying that they would have been DSQed for a race or two i they ran into the baack of Kimi. Well, first, I don't think they would have. They might have gotten a five-place penalty like Fisi for rolling over Kaz. But, it would be ludircous to start assigning rivers pnalties for mistakes. Next thing you know, Heidfeld will complainagainst ALonso, who will complain against Hamilton for Bahrain, who will complain to Kubica for Japan '07, who will complain for Jarno Canada '07. In the end, how bout we dock Jarno 25 grid positions so everyone is happy?

Congratulations to everybody who had a good rzace, and congrats to Monaco itself. A much more interesting race than people predicted.

[supercampeaobrasileiro]

congrats to Ham - bit lucky to survive his crash but that is racing at monaco and he drove well after that. Shame that ITV continue to make embarassing remarks comparing Ham to senna...i do not think that ham can be called a 'master of monaco' on the same scale..at least not yet...

Massa left them all for dead in the heavy rain (against all predictions on here) but was put out of contention by poor team strategy..

Raikkonnen had nightmare as did alonso

[Jordi]

Nice race, lottery race.
Any driver could win today.
Feel sorry for Force india.

[Jordi]

@Dereck
" Kimi had a race to forget. Perhaps he and Alonso could form some sort of club ".

How about a world champions club?

[Derek Smith]

Anon said:

“Lewis- very good. But remember, his drive was really won on McLaren strategy. If not for his pit strategy, Kubica would have triumphed as Lewis made a mistake forcing him to pit.”

Strategy used to be Ferrari’s strong suit and won many a race for their drivers. It was one of Schumacher’s strengths that he had a strong team behind him, and he alone. Their loss of Brawn will tell through the season.

I would suggest that LH was fuelled quite heavily at the start, at least according to my calculations as to how long the pipe was attached to his car at his first stop and assuming a 20% decrease in petrol consumption due to rain. And going by past McLaren tactics he would have taken on a lot of fuel at his scheduled stop so I do not see his win as lucky.

One wonders how much fuel Ferrari had to sacrifice for their front row. If it had been a dry race I reckon that both McLarens would have been the cars of the field.

Further, what won LH the race was his phenomenal middle section of the race. Those tremendous consistently fast laps showed class. He deserved his win.

Heikki seemed to me to be unhappy with the circuit during practice and qualy and I would suggest he could not have stayed with LH.

I know you are a Ferrari fan Anon (so no wonder you don't want to identify yourself) but even you must accept that they ran a dreadful race. Drivers and tactics all over the place. The fact that Massa is outclassing Kimi will cause problems for the team later in the season.

I've been impressed by Massa in the last three races. It takes a lot to come back from his dreadful start to the season. Whilst I agree with Brasileiro that Massa was good in the rain, the only thing he left for dead was the circuit.

[Anon]

know you are a Ferrari fan Anon (so no wonder you don't want to identify yourself) but even you must accept that they ran a dreadful race. Drivers and tactics all over the place. The fact that Massa is outclassing Kimi will cause problems for the team later in the season."- Derek Smith

Actually, you'll be surprised to know that I'm a strong BMW-Sauber fan. I much prefer them to Ferrari, although I much prefer errari to McLaren.

I believe (and said) that Kubica should have won the race, and that Lewis was lucky because of of how the first safety car period worked out. If not for that, I think it is fair to say Kubica would have been on top. Of course Lewis had a very good race, though.

But really, I much prefer to BMW to Ferrari, no doubt or bias in that.

[Richard]

@Jordi - 'Nice race, lottery race.
Any driver could win today'

You mean apart from those drivers that had to use full wet tyres because they couldn't handle the intermediates, those drivers that hit the barriers, those drivers that went off the track, and those drivers that lost their nosecone because they attempted the most ham-fisted overtaking moves in inappropriate places i.e. at the hairpin? The magical Spaniard would have finished an easy fourth in Monaco if he'd driven a mature race because of Kimi's, Heikki's and Nico's troubles ahead of him on the grid. It's about time you started to concede that Lewis is the real deal, otherwise your comments will look even sadder and more pathetic than they do already.
'How about a world champions club?'
How about an ex-world champions club?