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Post by René on May 23, 2019 8:41:24 GMT
Can anyone stop the silver arrows? With a slow corner speed that is even stronger than Red Bull’s, another Mercedes 1-2 seems the most likely scenario. But then again, Monaco is Monaco and anything can happen. If Max can overcome his Monaco jinx and Charles finds an extra tenth on the streets he grew up, we could be in for an exciting weekend. Niki Lauda won twice in the principality. |
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Post by charleselan on May 23, 2019 13:37:52 GMT
Brilliant picture of Niki at Monaco in 1976 René, wearing one of those infamous AGV helmets of that period. Following that terrible accident of his at the Nurburgring they didn't stay around long afterwards. So we have the grand procession this weekend and sadly it looks like it will be a follow the leader with MB out front. Not wishing him any ill will but i am going for Hamilton to win, in the hope that like all my previous predictions, it turns to dust  . All of course in the interest of good competition, and praise be something interesting happening for once. |
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2019 19:30:08 GMT
This might be a circuit where we get to see if the revised aerodynamics actually allow closer following, without destroying the tyres and possibly even challenging for position (I was going to say passing, but it's Monaco).
We can assume that both Mercedes and Ferrari will be out to 'do it for Nikki', and Red Bull can even claim a (weak) link as Lauda was involved in Ford's Jaguar debacle, that became Red Bull racing.
So for most conceivable outcomes, there will be valid reason to celebrate a link to the great man.
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Post by Carl on May 23, 2019 20:55:12 GMT
It's a damn shame that the Gasometer hairpin was eliminated. Approached at high speed along the harbor front, it was the one good place to pass and would still be today.
Another sad real estate development is that most of Monte Carlo's charming architecture has been replaced by ugly block buildings. Only traces of its former beauty can be seen here and there.
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Post by robmarsh on May 24, 2019 7:12:10 GMT
Lovely pic of Niki and the 1976 Ferrari which is near the very top of my all time favourite Ferrari F1 cars. I have gone for Valteri in the hopes of the championship battle remaining close. I really can't see the others getting a shot in and with a one stop strategy the only leadership change may be during the pitstop phase.
Anyway I always enjoy watching the cars scrabble around Monaco so I shouldn't be bored and there is always Indy afterwards. The sight of cars passing and re passing at 220mph gives me the willeys.
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Post by Carl on May 25, 2019 5:09:54 GMT
I plan to root for both Valtteri Bottas and Charles Leclerc, the designated underdogs of their respective teams. If Leclerc leads at a decisive point, I am hoping Vettel will emulate his hero M. Schumacher, deliberately half-spin just before pit entry and profess helpless confusion while Charles gains almost a lap, providing drama to a dull procession. Fortunately for Valtteri, with a teammate loath to help, an appeal to national solidarity could convince Kimi Raikkonen to block the others if in position and unhappy with his car. In Monte Carlo and elsewhere, tampering with the odds is often greatly admired.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2019 22:33:39 GMT
Hummmm, interesting Free Practice, and exciting Qualifying from Monaco.
The camera coverage of the circuit seems to be getting better, from outside, on and inside the cars. You really can see how monsterously fast these cars are around this tiny, armour lined, circuit. It is very impressive, those guys really dance on a knife edge all the time at Monaco.
Ferrari seem to be suffering ongoing chaos and mishaps. It was fantastic that Leclerc could top FP3, but then crazy that a series of fumbles lead to Leclerc being knocked out in Q1, and Vettel having to throw in a 'last gasp lap' to go through.
They just keep building up the pressure on the Team, the drivers, and ultimately on Binotto.
Red Bull had a great qualifying session, with Gasly being more competitive with Verstappen, and both cars up there with Ferrari.
Fantastic to see the two Toro Rosso cars do so well. I'm a fan of the underdog, so seeing Kyvat perform so well this season cheers me up every race weekend. Also coming to terms with the fact that Albon was a last minute call in to STR, but is probably the best of this seasons rookies. (I still think that Hartley had much more to give, and they should have stuck with him, but that is taking the underdog thing a bit far in reality).
Lots of other heroic performances, from Haas, McLaren and Renault. It will probably be a fairly uneventful race, unless there is some rain, or Ver-crash-en makes a comeback, but I do find it facinating to see these guys funnel these missiles around this anachronistic track.
Oh yeah, and Mercedes are still the class of the field, and didn't Hamilton do well to slide in a pole setting at the very end of Q3. Just pipping a very focused Bottas. I'm picking Bottas for the win, he's been very fast all weekend, and its the underdog thing again.
Hoping to see some more meaningful tributes to Lauda on raceday. Some of the stuff on Sky TV has been a bit weak.
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2019 22:41:21 GMT
I saw an article on the GP247 site with some interesting insights from Abiteboul about Renault. The headline was that they think their p.u is now on par with the Mercedes and Ferrari p.u's (no mention of the Honda), and that the team are going through growing pains, going from 400 people to 750, and recognising that their processes are not keeping up.
Hopefully we see some evidence of the improved p.u performance and reliability in the rest of the season (from both Renault F1 and McLaren), and hear more about how Renault F1 use the greater budget and resources they have available to them this year.
I know that for many, on this site and others, Abiteboul is a hate figure so his comments tend to be dismissed, a lot of derisive comment, but I'm really interested in the Renault F1 rebuild project, so these kinds of insight are wee gems to me.
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Post by robmarsh on May 26, 2019 9:27:12 GMT
I rather like Cyril. Much more than I do Christian Horner who continues to make snark remarks to Cyril unnecessarily. He demeans himself in my eyes especially as Abitboul's ripostes are quite good.
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Post by René on May 26, 2019 10:20:24 GMT
Another Ferrari masterclass on how to shoot yourself in the foot in the most effective way. Mille grazie. Yeez guys, fastest in FP3 and then missing Q2 while at the same time your teammate narrowly makes it (as fastest). How dumb can you be? I know Mercedes has the best car but do we really need to give it to them on a golden plate every time? Ferrari, I will always support you but this was bad, very bad. Awesome lap though by Lewis, loved the way his adrenaline was still pumping afterwards. Max was also 'on it', great stuff. I have started preparations for a rain dance this afternoon. If anyone cares to join me please do!  |
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Post by Deleted on May 26, 2019 10:31:52 GMT
Hi, i think you Knights, Kings and Gods will enjoy this video posted by Formula 1 on Youtube.
Will Buxton going through a corner by corner history of Monaco's 90 year history.
Some great footage in there
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Post by René on May 26, 2019 10:32:42 GMT
Hummmm, interesting Free Practice, and exciting Qualifying from Monaco. The camera coverage of the circuit seems to be getting better, from outside, on and inside the cars. You really can see how monsterously fast these cars are around this tiny, armour lined, circuit. It is very impressive, those guys really dance on a knife edge all the time at Monaco. Yes I noticed that too. Some of the shots were really good and the speeds are indeed mind blowing. I think they should try to mount a camera at eye level of the driver. That should give an even better impression of the fact that some corners and the uphill part are almost blind. Great stuff though. |
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Post by René on May 26, 2019 10:44:05 GMT
Hi, i think you Knights, Kings and Gods will enjoy this video posted by Formula 1 on Youtube. Will Buxton going through a corner by corner history of Monaco's 90 year history. Some great footage in there Great link, thanks! Really enjoyed that. |
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Post by chrisb on May 26, 2019 12:09:27 GMT
yes i saw that thanks Jim, it was good and a fitting start to the weekend
- the problem of Monaco for me has always been that the speed an F1 car travels is not always transferrable, whereas I feel INDYCAR does it better, well ok maybe it does quite a lot better,
oh Ferrari, teema fiasco, on a circuit where overtaking is virtually impossible, I caught a bit of the interview with Seb and the lovely Lee and he did mention that word retirement, he also came across really well, quite an impressive feature, but honestly we know the Merc is probably the best out there but Ferrari....mama mia
i get the rush the drivers and the 'live' spectators may enjoy but unless Lewis messes up or Bottas launches el rapido i really can't see anyone else getting close to him
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Post by Carl on May 27, 2019 5:33:40 GMT
I prefer road racing and love the challenges of Monaco, so began the day hoping the F1 race would be more exciting than the Indy 500. A foolish hope, as it turned out. I watched every lap at Monaco and there was some real excitement in the many desperate pass attempts, but was also bored and several times almost fast-forwarded the DVR (I stopped getting up at ungodly hours to watch). I muted the sound whenever David Croft approached hysteria and when Hamilton, extraordinarily sensitive to the assorted pains of leading, kept complaining about the strategy that put him there.
The Indy 500 was exciting from start to finish with many passes, some breathtaking, and cars often three wide. There were several dumb mistakes on pit row caused by misjudgment, and one huge crash in Turn 3 that took out five cars on lap 177, surprisingly caused by Sebastien Bourdais, always fast and normally faultless.
True to his own past behavior, Helio Castroneves caused Australian James Davison to miss his pit box by approaching at speed in the wrong lane, effectively blocking Jamison's approach, and ramming him from behind for good measure. Although always fast, Castroneves often lapses into stupidity, unable to resist avoidable contact or the urge to climb fences. I have never liked his style and suspect that skill allows him at times to mask dirty driving.
Pole sitter Simon Pagenaud won by two car lengths over Alexander Rossi, both equally impressive throughout and equally deserving of victory.
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