MONACO Grand Prix 2009 - Race 6/17

[Glaucus]

TV times:
MONTE CARLO - MONACO
Thursday 21 May
First practice: 0900-1000, BBC Red Button/online & BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online
Second practice: 1300-1430, BBC Red Button/online & BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online

Saturday 23 May
Third practice: 1000-1100, BBC Red Button/online & BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra/online

Qualifying: 1210-1515, BBC One/BBC Red Button/Radio 5 Live/online
Qualifying re-run: Times TBC, BBC Red Button

Sunday 24 May
Race: 1210-1515, BBC One/BBC Red Button/Radio 5 Live/online
Race re-run: Times TBC, BBC Red Button

Interactive Forum: 1515-1615, BBC Red Button/online

Highlights: 1900-2000, BBC Three/BBC Red Button/online
Standings:
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/0tqi1ntv25tjilapjg.jpg

Track:
BBC Circuit Guide (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/circuit_guide/default.stm#top)

Track Diagram
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/ahqgsgx6x2ghke0as63.gif
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/43xnaagswrxf3j9kupd.jpg

Circuit information
Length: 3.34km
Race distance: 78 laps / 260.520km

Full throttle: 42%
Top speed: 286kph
Longest flat-out section: 8s / 510km
Right/left-hand turns: 12/7

Tyre wear: Medium
Brake wear: High
Downforce level: Very high
Gear changes per lap: 54

Strategy
Fuel use per lap: 1.723kg (source: Williams)
Pit lane time loss: 17.8s
2009 tyre compounds: soft (prime, no marking), super-soft (option, green markings)
2008 tyre compounds: soft (prime, no marking), super-soft (option, white markings)

Classic Monaco Grand Prix

Classic F1 - Monaco Grand Prix 1996 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8055781.stm)
Watch highlights from the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix as only four cars finish the race with Ligier's Olivier Panis claiming his only F1 victory.

Classic F1 - Monaco Grand Prix 1982 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8055736.stm)
Watch the BBC's "Grand Prix" from the 1982 Monaco race as Riccardo Patrese claims his first F1 win as a late-race rain shower causes havoc.

Classic F1 - Monaco Grand Prix 1961 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8055684.stm)
Watch highlights from the 1961 Monaco Grand Prix as Stirling Moss holds off the Ferraris of Richie Ginther and Phill Hill to claim a stunning win.


Technical Changes - Spain
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/h9w3evd9tvdaakh3no0c.jpg

News


Button braced for tough street fight (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45890)
Jenson Button believes his Brawn team won’t have an easy ride to another victory on the streets of Monte Carlo this weekend, predicting a fierce fight at the front from qualifying onwards.
McLaren expects stronger Monaco form (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45876)
McLaren has expressed confidence that its troublesome MP4-24 will be far more competitive on the twisty streets of Monaco next week than it was at the demanding Circuit de Catalunya.
Kimi: Podium back in sight for Ferrari (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45893)
Kimi Raikkonen believes Ferrari can realistically aim for a podium finish again from the Monaco Grand Prix following its big step forward in pace at Barcelona.
Vettel and Buemi wow 130,000 in Hungary (http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2009/5/9362.html)
Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi proved to be a big draw in Hungary on Sunday, with over 130,000 spectators lining the banks of the Tisza River in the town of Szeged to catch a glimpse of the duo taking part in a demonstration run organised by the Austrian energy drink company.
Brawn: KERS installation a challenge (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45852)
Ross Brawn admits his team is finding it difficult to adapt its car to accommodate a kinetic energy recovery system.

News - 2010 Season

Bernie: Two tier rules now less likely (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45879)
Bernie Ecclestone believes the chances of Formula 1 running to two-tier regulations in 2010 have faded significantly even though no firm deal was reached in yesterday's crunch talks at Heathrow
Ferrari injunction verdict on Wednesday (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45895)
errari will learn whether it has succeeded in its bid to take out an injunction against the FIA’s 2010 regulations on Wednesday afternoon, a French court has announced.
Ferrari insists quit threat is serious (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45868)
Ferrari insists the ultimatum it has given the FIA is not posturing and it will “really and truly” pull out of Formula 1 at the end of the season if next year’s regulations are not changed.
Williams: Row close to resolution (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45881)
Sir Frank Williams reckons the row over the 2010 regulations is close to being resolved, despite the lack of agreement in Friday's meeting between FOTA and the FIA.
Lola gives green light to F1 entry plans (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45873)
Lola has confirmed it will lodge an entry for the 2010 world championship after completing its evaluation of the new regulations.
F3 team Litespeed to make 2010 bid (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45872)
British Formula 3 team Litespeed has revealed it will apply to become one of the 13 teams on the 2010 F1 grid and plans to run under the £40 million budget cap should its entry be accepted.
FIA/FOTA in talks over budget cap row (http://www.itv-f1.com/news_article.aspx?id=45877)
The FIA and the Formula One Teams’ Association have been locked in talks this afternoon over the controversial 2010 regulations in a bid to stop the row spiralling further out of control.


The track and TV coverage starts

Technical changes Monaco
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/trrwa7agmsmdctu1wk3v.jpg


Inside F1 - Monaco GP preview (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8064590.stm)
Dan Walker is joined by John Watson to look ahead to the Monaco Grand Prix around the famous streets of Monte Carlo.



Practice 1
Replay - Monaco GP first practice (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8061668.stm)
A full replay of the first practice session for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.
Highlights - Barrichello sets early Monaco pace (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8061569.stm)
Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello sets the fastest times in the first practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix, with Felipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton close behind.

http://www.images-hosted.com/images/295h9lsyzf515u1fftm.jpg


Practice 2
Replay - Monaco GP second practice (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8062349.stm)
A full replay of the second practice session for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.
Highlights - Rosberg sets pace in Monaco (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8062257.stm)
Nico Rosberg sets the fastest lap in the second practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix ahead of McLaren's Lewis Hamilton.
Awaiting Upload of second session
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/x72ry5a0ul46esg4d9b8.jpg

Practice 3
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/60knt13todhfavytm9a.jpg


Qaulifying
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/pzn3bp0hk24v7xny11zp.jpg

Fuel Loads
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/g1lq7koa8zlo739t64l.jpg

Race
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/dhgd57lf2u5vxomark44.jpg


Standings
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/e6ty4m11t9nrjqfdb396.jpg
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/2chq8leyroekflxmzv41.jpg

[lostkat]

Monaco is probably my favourite circuit. Can't wait :D

[Briggykins]

Yay Monaco. Okay there's not much overtaking but watching them narrowly miss the walls lap after lap is something else.

[Flibster]

Definitely in the minority regarding Monaco.

Monaco should go the same way as Silverstone...

[Knipples]

Monaco is probably my favourite circuit. Can't wait :D

Mine too! :D
Partly because I have walked round most of it on a non race day!
Will miss qualy but will be back for the race.

[Flibster]

News just in....

Ferrari have been ruled against in their bid to gain an injunction against the FIA's budget cap.

So thats Ferrari out of F1 in 2010 then.

[Feek]

Mrs. Feek likes Monaco as well, I like it for the spectacle but I don't think it's great for the racing.

Was it Mansell who came in from a fast lap there having scraped the paint off the outside wall of the tyres?

[kaiowas]

Monaco is symbolic of everything that's wrong with the sport.

The race is a farce, but hey the hangers on in corporate hospitality are enjoying themselves so it must be good...

[Flibster]

Monaco is symbolic of everything that's wrong with the sport.

The race is a farce, but hey the hangers on in corporate hospitality are enjoying themselves so it must be good...

Completely agree. It's no longer the right place to hold a motorsport event.

It's prestigious, but not a good circuit.

[Mark]

Not convinced it was ever a good circuit, but it's where the money is at, so I'm not expecting it to disappear from the radar unless the likes of Dubai make up the difference (which is obviously possible).

Still, it is a spectacle and that's why people watch it. I might actually watch this one too.

[Glaucus]

I like Monaco. It might not be a circuit with much over taking. But it is a curcit to test the drivers. No huge run offs like the new tracks. I would hate to see Monaco go.

[Flibster]

I like Monaco. It might not be a circuit with much over taking. But it is a curcit to test the drivers. No huge run offs like the new tracks. I would hate to see Monaco go.

The huge tarmac run-offs is one of the things I hate about new tracks. There is no penalty for going off the track now. It used to be walls and gravel.

If you go off the track - you should bloody well stay off the track unless exceptionally lucky.

[Glaucus]

I agree.

[AboveTheSalt]

Monaco = Scalextric; perfecting boredom in F1.

Although, having visited Sophia Antipolis on a number of occasions, I can quite understand why anyone would want to spend time in that part of France ;)

[Flibster]

Breaking news...

ALL teams to withdraw from the 2010 season if the proposed £40 million budget cap is not dropped.

:eek:

[Glaucus]

Absolutely brilliant news.
The cap is retarded and they haven't fully ruled out the two tier system, but that at least looks unlikely.

[divine]

A cap is needed really, else the team numbers are just going to get ever smaller and the disparity between front and back is just going to grow ever larger. £40 million is too small though.

£100 million would be better, maybe £150 million. Cheap enough that new teams and lesser existing teams can compete on a closer level but also enough money that the big boys can still get decent stuff done with perhaps a bit more efficiency in the way they go about things. I'm pretty sure a big chunk of the £300 million plus budgets is effectively wasted money because it can be.

[Glaucus]

even 150mill is to small. it should be a maximum cap. Not a cap every team can achieve.
If you think factory staff cost 24mill, 2 drivers could cost 40+ mill, aerospace materials will be very expensive. So on and so forth.

[divine]

What would be the point in a cap that didn't lower it to a vaguely achievable area? That would be utterly pointless as it would achieve nothing bar cutting about 4 teams budgets by a tiny amount.

I thought driver salaries were excluded anyway?

Besides, much like Football these things cost so much because currently they can. If there was a need to be cheaper you can be damn sure it would be achievable even if they didn't particularly want to.

Where would you place the cap then? £400 million?

[Glaucus]

more like 200mill. wages are excluded for the minute as are engines and advertisement.

The sport does not need such a huge cut. F1 is inheritantly expensive.

[Glaucus]

The top budget last year was toyota at $445.6m which back then was about £286mill.

But I don't want to see a cap or two tier racing. It is not needed. Only reason max and co want it is to make it look attractive for new teams. Which although would be nice. I would rather less teams and proper spending and development throughout the year.


do all circuits still have 13pits?

[divine]

Couldn't tell you how many pits circuits have but one would assume that team entries would be limited to the lowest number anyway. I would hope that as stupid as the FIA are, they wouldn't run 26 cars if there were only enough garages to fit 24 at one track.

If you put the cap so high, what does it achieve?

[Glaucus]

Couldn't tell you how many pits circuits have but one would assume that team entries would be limited to the lowest number anyway. I would hope that as stupid as the FIA are, they wouldn't run 26 cars if there were only enough garages to fit 24 at one track.

If you put the cap so high, what does it achieve?

it still lowers budget by ~30% and you retain what f1 is about.

[divine]

Great. So all you've done is knock the budget of about 4 teams a small amount with no other tangible benefit. What an awesome solution that would be.

At least if you do it 'properly' you give smaller teams a chance to compete on a more level playing field and we'd see the truly great engineers shine, the ones who can develop good solutions that are cost effective too, not just throw money at expensive bits.

I think ultimately different people have a different view of what F1 is. To you, clearly it is the ability to throw money at everything and utilise the most expensive tech possible. To me it is watching the drivers shine, watching people compete on a vaguely level field, watching engineers come up with clever solutions regardless of silly amounts of money. It holds far less interest to me when it has reached the point that unless you have millions upon millions to spend, you'll barely achieve anything.

When was the last time a 'cheap' team competed closely with an expensive one and what were the respective budgets in that year?

[Glaucus]

At least if you do it 'properly' you give smaller teams a chance to compete on a more level playing field and we'd see the truly great engineers shine, the ones who can develop good solutions that are cost effective too, not just throw money at expensive bits.



Which wont work as you can't develop anything new due to the rules. Even under the new rules you can't develop anything new.
Why do you want to see a redicluse level playing field with such little money they can't do anything. Refinement is expensive. Under the current rules or under the propose rules. That's all they can do.

As I said I don't want a budget cap. Budgets will be set by market value and what teams can afford.

[divine]

such little money they can't do anything? Don't be stupid, it'd be perfectly workable. The only reason they don't do it now is because they don't have to. There is no penalty to spending obscene amounts.

Take a look at other engineering disciplines and the opposite is true, because if you can't make a better solution than your competition for the same or less money, you lose contracts and go out of business. Whilst there is a difference between business and sport, claiming that cutting budgets from £250-£300 million to £150 million would mean they "can't do anything" is just pig headed and misguided.

You have a point about new developments under such restrictive regulations and it would be nice to see more open rules at the same time but even so, refinement does not have to be as expensive as it is now, it just is because it can be and it isn't regulated.

All 'market value and what teams can afford' will do if things carry on as they are is cement the situation whereby the 4 richest teams eventually always win out, smaller teams only get a stab with massive rule overhauls and the smallest teams keep dropping out but without such ready replacements.

F1 should be about the engineering and racing with at least some semblance of equal footing, not just spunking the biggest bank balance you can find on everything. I don't want a spec series but at least starting from an equal footing - i.e. similar budgets would be far better than having half a grid that only race for 7th and 8th places because ultimately unless everyone else crashes they haven't got a hope in hell of doing better.

[divine]

As an aside - FP3 in 10 minutes \o/

[Glaucus]

Wahoo Button does it again! ye-hahhhh

[Daz]

Lord knows where he pulled that from, he was lucky to survive Q2!

[Glaucus]

Lord knows where he pulled that from, he was lucky to survive Q2!

:confused: he had 6th fastest lap and was safe, with only one or two taht ould beat him.

But that was a stormer of a lap from nowhere.

[Daz]

He was 7th with 4/5 (I forget) still running, I didnt think he was safe. Great final lap though yeah, I thought Kimi had it.

[divine]

Good final lap BUT what worries me is the way that a 1 stop is preferable here isn't it? And Brawn said they were two stopping but the tyres weren't a worry at all. Maybe to the extent some teams around them might be one stopping?

Looking forward to the fuel loads later.

[divine]

Brawns are heavier than those around - didn't expect that, bloody good lap from Button then.

Vettel is a bit screwed - very light on fuel and you could see him being held up by Nakajimi as he finished his lap, very unlucky / poorly managed by RBR.

[Feek]

That was an awesome introduction to the programme :)

[divine]

Good starts from Brawn

[Knipples]

Wheres the carnage! I want some carnage! ;)

[divine]

Camera control is absolutely useless.

Just as 3 cars are about to lunge past Vettel we switch a lone Brawn car plodding around uneventfully. *claps*

Well done, I agree, much more interesting than watching some overtakes.

[Mark]

Does the full race end up on iPlayer? I know there's the highlights but I'd like to watch the real thing and can't atm.

[divine]

Yeah it normally gets put on iPlayer in full.

[Glaucus]

Stunning performance from Jenson again

Race
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/dhgd57lf2u5vxomark44.jpg


Standings
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/e6ty4m11t9nrjqfdb396.jpg
http://www.images-hosted.com/images/2chq8leyroekflxmzv41.jpg

[Briggykins]

One of the more processional Monacos of recent times but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Button was peerless again, although his error after the race was a larf :)
Actually I say it was processional - there were a couple of good overtaking manoeuvres (I think Trulli did a good one at the Grand Hotel hairpin) but the director missed em and only showed them briefly in replay.

[Knipples]

Cant find any of the commentary in English, but for anyone who missed it, heres Button jogging to the Podium after he parked his car in the wrong place! ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZaKCrvvJo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtEgQNGceNg

[Garp]

Good race, fairly boring though. Commentary towards the end of the race got extremely puke worthy. "Button going into the tunnel for the last time. you could say he's been in the tunnel for the last 2 years, but now he's emerging into the sunshine..blah blah blah brain dripping out of my ear and up my own arse..."