The Official 2018 Monaco Grand Prix Thread **SPOILERS**
Discussion
McLaren really have had a turgid time with drivers since HAM though haven’t they?
I mean, you could say that BUT was a success of sorts but the team seemed to make it clear they didn’t want to build itself around him and as fans I’m not sure we’ll ever find out quite why that was.
MAG, PER, both seem better drivers that VAN is now.
I’m thinking they’re still running with the misguided opinion that they’re a top team and thus can run with one star driver and another no2 when in actual fact they desperately need two solid drivers that can mop up midfield points.
I mean, you could say that BUT was a success of sorts but the team seemed to make it clear they didn’t want to build itself around him and as fans I’m not sure we’ll ever find out quite why that was.
MAG, PER, both seem better drivers that VAN is now.
I’m thinking they’re still running with the misguided opinion that they’re a top team and thus can run with one star driver and another no2 when in actual fact they desperately need two solid drivers that can mop up midfield points.
suffolk009 said:
McLaren have just hired Gil de Ferran as a motorsport advisor. I think an Indycar team is on the cards. Alonso to drive would seem to make sense. As I suggested elsewhere (maybe the silly season thread), if Alonso wins LeMans this year then I reckon he'll be off to Indycar full time.
I’ve called this for the last few months. Setting up an Indy program won’t be difficult, it’s a high chance that if it happens it’ll be a rebranded Andretti entry just like Alonso’s Indy 500 run. Don’t know why but I’m putting money on an Indy project announcement during the summer break and Alonso to announce he’s off to do a full a year in Indy come September
LaurasOtherHalf said:
I mean, you could say that BUT was a success of sorts but the team seemed to make it clear they didn’t want to build itself around him and as fans I’m not sure we’ll ever find out quite why that was.
I think that never they built a car around him because he has never been the best driver in the car. McLaren had a great point scorer as Button when their top drivers had lamentable races. I think that they had all the right data to decide it that way maybe?LaurasOtherHalf said:
MAG, PER, both seem better drivers that VAN is now.
It was always going to be tough for Vandoorne to shine in Alonso’s shadow and I’d love to know why he’s so far off this season but I think he will arrive at some point. He was super impressive on debut. I always got the impression that Button was either very fussy about the car or just didn’t give great technical input, or that his preferences were difficult to satisfy or wildly different from those of other drivers. I remember hearing a lot about push rods and pull rods front and rear as McLaren developed and reverted again and again during the Whitmarsh years.
DanielSan said:
I’ve called this for the last few months. Setting up an Indy program won’t be difficult, it’s a high chance that if it happens it’ll be a rebranded Andretti entry just like Alonso’s Indy 500 run.
Don’t know why but I’m putting money on an Indy project announcement during the summer break and Alonso to announce he’s off to do a full a year in Indy come September
This wouldn't surprise me. Alonso is without a doubt a mighty fast driver (still in the top 5 on the grid for race pace in my opinion), but for F1 he's in his twilight years and I'd wager even with his more moderate demeanour these days, he's a tricky character to take punt on in a different F1 team. Don’t know why but I’m putting money on an Indy project announcement during the summer break and Alonso to announce he’s off to do a full a year in Indy come September
Next stop, another race series and 'Indy' seems the obvious choice.
McLaren? They're like a football team after they've been relegated from the Premiership. Things keep going downwards until someone with some serious clout comes in and pulls it all back into shape again. It's a vicious circle when you're on a downward spiral. They need a brave big sponsor, big investment and a rethink.
Fire99 said:
McLaren? They're like a football team after they've been relegated from the Premiership. Things keep going downwards until someone with some serious clout comes in and pulls it all back into shape again. It's a vicious circle when you're on a downward spiral. They need a brave big sponsor, big investment and a rethink.
Yes you could be right. I see Williams and can't help wonder if they are the next big team to be 'in the relegation zone'. I doubt it though and they have been very poor at times in the past but come back.But, it takes time to come back and these stupidly complex engines and a bad decision to use Honda have totalled their team performance in the last few years. As said above, it's not a case of 'Stick in the new engine and we're sorted'. They are only into the first few races with a complete new engine system. It'll take at least the entire year to get anywhere near the top 3 teams IMO.In recent years with Honda RD was asked if this was the worst it had been for the team with two cars near the back and he replied 'I remember not qualifiying for a race'. They're at least midfielders, finishing races now and with way more points than last year.
Derek Smith said:
Could this be an exciting Monaco GP, despite the good weather forecast?
The top six are all in with a shout. If the two RBs are on the front row then we might only have a top four, but still.
Timing of the pit stops will be critical. Does that mean that the Mercs, at least, will be shod in ultras for Q2 and struggling to get through?
I think it will be a big surprise if there is anything but a Red Bull on pole. Given there's nothing much separating the two RB drivers on 1-lap pace, it might as well be an RB front row. If Dan manages to beat Max on Saturday and manages to lead into T1 then we could see some fireworks. I don't think these two guys have ever started on the front row before.The top six are all in with a shout. If the two RBs are on the front row then we might only have a top four, but still.
Timing of the pit stops will be critical. Does that mean that the Mercs, at least, will be shod in ultras for Q2 and struggling to get through?
A lot will depend on how close the midfield is on race pace. From the long runs, it seemed that the midfield is around 1 sec per lap slower, which means, the leading car will most likely drive at a pace that would open up a pit stop gap of 20 seconds around their planned pit stop window.
If the leading midfield car is embroiled in an under/overcut fight with another midfield car, or they can't look after the hypersofts as much as the lead cars, they will pit out of the way of the lead cars much sooner and thus open up an opportunity for Merc/Ferrari cars to try an undercut. The RB cars have the pace to win but it's not easy as driving off into the distance around Monaco. If anything, the guy who is leading has the most difficult job as he doesn't have as much time to react to others' strategies as the race evolves.
Obviously an untimely safety car that allows some cars to lose less time on a pit stop could also turn the race on its head.
Dr Z said:
I think it will be a big surprise if there is anything but a Red Bull on pole.
I predicted a Verstappen pole before testing began but Ricciardo is looking pretty handy too. However who knows how much Ferrari and Mercedes have in the bag. It's going to be a close run thing IMO. I theorised that Mercedes may be the third best car, however Hamilton might have one of his miraculous qually performances. Raikkonen was pole last year. Seb goes well on street circuits. The only driver I haven't mentioned of the top three teams is Bottas, so it could well be him!
Dr Z said:
I think it will be a big surprise if there is anything but a Red Bull on pole. Given there's nothing much separating the two RB drivers on 1-lap pace, it might as well be an RB front row. If Dan manages to beat Max on Saturday and manages to lead into T1 then we could see some fireworks. I don't think these two guys have ever started on the front row before.
A lot will depend on how close the midfield is on race pace. From the long runs, it seemed that the midfield is around 1 sec per lap slower, which means, the leading car will most likely drive at a pace that would open up a pit stop gap of 20 seconds around their planned pit stop window.
If the leading midfield car is embroiled in an under/overcut fight with another midfield car, or they can't look after the hypersofts as much as the lead cars, they will pit out of the way of the lead cars much sooner and thus open up an opportunity for Merc/Ferrari cars to try an undercut. The RB cars have the pace to win but it's not easy as driving off into the distance around Monaco. If anything, the guy who is leading has the most difficult job as he doesn't have as much time to react to others' strategies as the race evolves.
Obviously an untimely safety car that allows some cars to lose less time on a pit stop could also turn the race on its head.
If we do get an all RB front row, I'd like to be a fly on the wall as Mr. Horner explains to DR and MV his expectations for etiquette at the first corner, first lap and then entire race. If the Red Bulls come together at this race I can see one of them being put on the side lines for Canada to think about what they've done.A lot will depend on how close the midfield is on race pace. From the long runs, it seemed that the midfield is around 1 sec per lap slower, which means, the leading car will most likely drive at a pace that would open up a pit stop gap of 20 seconds around their planned pit stop window.
If the leading midfield car is embroiled in an under/overcut fight with another midfield car, or they can't look after the hypersofts as much as the lead cars, they will pit out of the way of the lead cars much sooner and thus open up an opportunity for Merc/Ferrari cars to try an undercut. The RB cars have the pace to win but it's not easy as driving off into the distance around Monaco. If anything, the guy who is leading has the most difficult job as he doesn't have as much time to react to others' strategies as the race evolves.
Obviously an untimely safety car that allows some cars to lose less time on a pit stop could also turn the race on its head.
Vocal Minority said:
There'll be one safety car - at least.
Reckon? Going for a lap 1 turn 1-3 incident involving Max
1 Haas to break down
1 Haas to cause a safety car or vsc
Sroitkon to stuff it into the well somewhere around the swimming pool
Force India to bang a wheel
Hartley to retire with a failure in either car or his driving
VladD said:
Dr Z said:
I think it will be a big surprise if there is anything but a Red Bull on pole. Given there's nothing much separating the two RB drivers on 1-lap pace, it might as well be an RB front row. If Dan manages to beat Max on Saturday and manages to lead into T1 then we could see some fireworks. I don't think these two guys have ever started on the front row before.
A lot will depend on how close the midfield is on race pace. From the long runs, it seemed that the midfield is around 1 sec per lap slower, which means, the leading car will most likely drive at a pace that would open up a pit stop gap of 20 seconds around their planned pit stop window.
If the leading midfield car is embroiled in an under/overcut fight with another midfield car, or they can't look after the hypersofts as much as the lead cars, they will pit out of the way of the lead cars much sooner and thus open up an opportunity for Merc/Ferrari cars to try an undercut. The RB cars have the pace to win but it's not easy as driving off into the distance around Monaco. If anything, the guy who is leading has the most difficult job as he doesn't have as much time to react to others' strategies as the race evolves.
Obviously an untimely safety car that allows some cars to lose less time on a pit stop could also turn the race on its head.
If we do get an all RB front row, I'd like to be a fly on the wall as Mr. Horner explains to DR and MV his expectations for etiquette at the first corner, first lap and then entire race. If the Red Bulls come together at this race I can see one of them being put on the side lines for Canada to think about what they've done.A lot will depend on how close the midfield is on race pace. From the long runs, it seemed that the midfield is around 1 sec per lap slower, which means, the leading car will most likely drive at a pace that would open up a pit stop gap of 20 seconds around their planned pit stop window.
If the leading midfield car is embroiled in an under/overcut fight with another midfield car, or they can't look after the hypersofts as much as the lead cars, they will pit out of the way of the lead cars much sooner and thus open up an opportunity for Merc/Ferrari cars to try an undercut. The RB cars have the pace to win but it's not easy as driving off into the distance around Monaco. If anything, the guy who is leading has the most difficult job as he doesn't have as much time to react to others' strategies as the race evolves.
Obviously an untimely safety car that allows some cars to lose less time on a pit stop could also turn the race on its head.
VladD said:
If we do get an all RB front row, I'd like to be a fly on the wall as Mr. Horner explains to DR and MV his expectations for etiquette at the first corner, first lap and then entire race. If the Red Bulls come together at this race I can see one of them being put on the side lines for Canada to think about what they've done.
It is no good talking to Verstappen. He's got that attitude that so many top F1 drivers have of everyone else's fault but mine. He'll do whatever it was he was going to do regardless of what Horner says. It's Ricc who's in the difficult position. If Verstappen goes for it, should he back off? Every bone in his body will be telling him not to. If he does he'll be criticised as 2nd string. If a rash results then both will be blamed.
Derek Smith said:
It is no good talking to Verstappen. He's got that attitude that so many top F1 drivers have of everyone else's fault but mine. He'll do whatever it was he was going to do regardless of what Horner says.
It's Ricc who's in the difficult position. If Verstappen goes for it, should he back off? Every bone in his body will be telling him not to. If he does he'll be criticised as 2nd string. If a rash results then both will be blamed.
I don't think Ricc can back down for the reasons you've stated and Max has had enough warnings now that the onus will be more on him to avoid contact. Having said that I can see Max trying a late braking manoeuvre coming out of the tunnel during one of the early laps and it all going horribly wrong.It's Ricc who's in the difficult position. If Verstappen goes for it, should he back off? Every bone in his body will be telling him not to. If he does he'll be criticised as 2nd string. If a rash results then both will be blamed.
Ricciardo's lap record on board - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7_W8QB9mYM
McLaren faltering, looking to branch out?
perhaps some WEC?
probably Indy...
and if Zac has anything to do with it.... definitely with Alonso..
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2018/05/brown-w...
perhaps some WEC?
probably Indy...
and if Zac has anything to do with it.... definitely with Alonso..
https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2018/05/brown-w...
Gassing Station | Formula 1 | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff