The Official 2016 Monaco Grand Prix Thread **Spoilers**

[Dr Z]

Force India are looking fairly handy.

At this rate, Vettel's pole lap record of 1:13.556 looks in real danger. I reckon Mercedes will beat it.

[Vaud]

Dr Z said:

At this rate, Vettel's pole lap record of 1:13.556 looks in real danger. I reckon Mercedes will beat it.

Weather allowing, I think it is bound to as the track rubbers in.

[Norfolkit]

Did Ted just say (in relation to hydraulic jacks), dropping the car faster than gravity allows, not sure that's possible Ted.

[Gad-Westy]

Norfolkit said:

Did Ted just say (in relation to hydraulic jacks), dropping the car faster than gravity allows, not sure that's possible Ted.

I'm not watching so don't know the context but it's possible to drop faster than gravity if they were engaged in some way so that they pull the car down rather than just allowing it to fall down.

[Norfolkit]

Gad-Westy said:

Norfolkit said:

Did Ted just say (in relation to hydraulic jacks), dropping the car faster than gravity allows, not sure that's possible Ted.

I'm not watching so don't know the context but it's possible to drop faster than gravity if they were engaged in some way so that they pull the car down rather than just allowing it to fall down.

Pull yes, drop no, it was probably on that car with no spark plugs.

Not having a pop at him, I like Ted.

[Vocal Minority]

NJK44 said:

Vocal Minority said:

So? With the best will in the world to Lewis, what has it achieved, other than giving his fans another pointless stat to wave about.

The gap was closed.

Go to Monaco and set a blistering time within minutes of doing your first lap then? You couldn't. Being able to get up to scratch with the track immediately takes some doing! Bit OTT from bbc but it's still impressive.

They need to report something to make the dullest weekend of the year exciting

Oh for the love of god.

At what point did I say I could? Don't provide such a piece of infantile logic and present it as a game changer.

No one is debating Lewis Hamilton's talent (despite his fans - and I presume that is the 44 reference in your username - absolutel stoic determination to create a Lewis v The World scenario).

Yes it's impressive, but does it make Nico's decision to build up to that pace rather than just go hell for leather on the first lap, the action of a man that has been 'dominated'? In the real world, no.He has a slender margin over a rival after one session. Absolute business as normal. So ultimately what is the actual difference?

It is worthy of a raised eyebrow and a nod of appreciation. But honestly, the way the information is presented by the BBC and his fans its like it makes him worth of the driver's title in isolation!

[VolvoT5]

From a viewer perspective it does appear that the Ferrari seems a bit lardy around here.... maybe the fuel loads are different but certainly Red Bull, Toro Rosso and even McLaren look more nimble at the moment.

Are Ferrari going backwards?

[em177]

It makes you remember how much drivers get away with mistakes on all the modern circuits with the amount of incidents so far...

• Edit to add Ted just said the same, he must be reading PH

[Dr Z]

VolvoT5 said:

Are Ferrari going backwards?

They've never looked happy at this place, have they? They seem most comfortable in the high speed corners.

[VolvoT5]

Dr Z said:

They've never looked happy at this place, have they? They seem most comfortable in the high speed corners.

Yes.....true..... but if I were Ferrari management I would be very concerned about the pace of Ricciardo running the updated engine. Could Red Bull with this new engine now be the #2 team behind Mercedes? Or even ahead on certain tracks.

Ferrari seem to be in no man's land - not the best engine, not the best chassis and now apparently being out developed by Red Bull. OK it is early days yet but I'm starting to wonder if they will even match the 3 wins they got last year.

Vettel having a spin as well - he looks a bit ragged these last few weeks.

[ZX10R NIN]

VolvoT5 said:

Yes.....true..... but if I were Ferrari management I would be very concerned about the pace of Ricciardo running the updated engine. Could Red Bull with this new engine now be the #2 team behind Mercedes? Or even ahead on certain tracks.

Ferrari seem to be in no man's land - not the best engine, not the best chassis and now apparently being out developed by Red Bull. OK it is early days yet but I'm starting to wonder if they will even match the 3 wins they got last year.

Vettel having a spin as well - he looks a bit ragged these last few weeks.

The Ferrari doesn't suit this circuit I think they'll be much happier in Canada.

[rdjohn]

It's looking like yet another one-stop race again, unless the weather can throw a double-six for us.

[HustleRussell]

The BBC sounding very impressed with Riccardo

As much as I'd like him on the front row I imagine it'll be a Mercedes 1-2 with Hamilton on pole.

Based on recent form though that does not mean Hamilton will lead into Turn 1.

[Dr Z]

Interesting. Red Bull want to show that they have some pace. It's going to be a pain to read the long run data at this circuit as traffic/mistakes can have a bigger effect on lap times, but will have a go at it once I can get my hands on it later.

For qualifying, my prediction will be:

Mercedes
Red Bull
Ferrari
<gap>
McLaren
Force India
Torro Rosso
Williams/Haas/Renault
Sauber
Manor

[HustleRussell]

I'm not sure I fancy Force India over the Blue Charge.

[Vaud]

Only 4 seconds from front to back as well, which I think is quite impressive. It was nearly 6 last year.

[FourWheelDrift]

GP2 qualifying, Markalov decided to not bother going around St Devote and decided to cut the corner going nose first into the barrier, the armco bent into a right angle, breaking at one end. Marshals have a new gate access onto the track.

video on youtube no doubt soon.

Gosh that was quick - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EZm6TN81_4

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 26th May 16:03

[NJK44]

Dunno if it's been posted but has anyone seen Massa's helmet? Surely going down as one of the ugliest helmets in F1 history. Yuck.

[Roo]

FourWheelDrift said:

GP2 qualifying, Markalov decided to not bother going around St Devote and decided to cut the corner going nose first into the barrier, the armco bent into a right angle, breaking at one end. Marshals have a new gate access onto the track.

video on youtube no doubt soon.

Gosh that was quick - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EZm6TN81_4

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 26th May 16:03

Looks like it sheared the post out of the ground.

That'll take a bit of fixing if it has.

[Some Gump]

Good o see Danny Ric making use of that new Renault. I had been worried in P1 when Max V was so close - no where near the 3t-5t gap people were talking about that engine bringing.

No surprise at Benson's reporting though. 0.101 was dominating, but 0.6 is just leading the session. Not that the headline matters - it's only practice. Long run pace would be more interesting (which seems to be Ric - Ros by a tenth.)

Still narks that Benson's own personal fandom dominates the BBC output so far. Given that they clearly have long run pace data, why not show us all of it in a table or something? There's plenty of people in the UK that love the sport more than just avidly following the antics of 1 driver. Hell, there's 3 brits on that grid, and everyone's favourite punchbag Haryanto outpaced his "merc driver in waiting" teammate for the second time running. Then crashed. But so did Vettel, so I guess we can forgive him =)

I miss my sky subscription!