Monaco approaches...
Discussion
I don't wish this to be the main Monaco GP thread, I'll leave that to Piginapoke as ever.
But tonight with an old Santa Pod drag buddy, we got chatting about what makes the Monaco GP so special.
We concluded that the typical F1 fan response is to roll their eyes and demonstrate they really understand the sport by explaining that it's totally hopeless for modern F1, no overtaking and a complete waste of time in general.
We further concluded, that because it's totally unsuitable it's hilarious, and we can all look forward to something weird happening, safe in the knowledge that if there is an incident, it's VERY unlikely to result in driver injury as realistically, they aren't going that fast in the first place. The Monaco GP is hated by the teams, but loved by the fans (often secretly) because it's so likely there will be drama at some point.
This year, the midfield is very tight, so there is bound to be some contact at some point. Mercedes will probably qualify front row and if so, doubt we'll see anything interesting at the sharp end. Max could upset that, yet to be seen how good the RB is at Monaco this year. Ferrari, frankly have no chance here. I fully expect RB (Max..) to out qualify them, and that's pretty much the end of their hopes. Assuming Max doesn't crash out in quali again this year.
So... What's your predictions for Monaco 2019?
But tonight with an old Santa Pod drag buddy, we got chatting about what makes the Monaco GP so special.
We concluded that the typical F1 fan response is to roll their eyes and demonstrate they really understand the sport by explaining that it's totally hopeless for modern F1, no overtaking and a complete waste of time in general.
We further concluded, that because it's totally unsuitable it's hilarious, and we can all look forward to something weird happening, safe in the knowledge that if there is an incident, it's VERY unlikely to result in driver injury as realistically, they aren't going that fast in the first place. The Monaco GP is hated by the teams, but loved by the fans (often secretly) because it's so likely there will be drama at some point.
This year, the midfield is very tight, so there is bound to be some contact at some point. Mercedes will probably qualify front row and if so, doubt we'll see anything interesting at the sharp end. Max could upset that, yet to be seen how good the RB is at Monaco this year. Ferrari, frankly have no chance here. I fully expect RB (Max..) to out qualify them, and that's pretty much the end of their hopes. Assuming Max doesn't crash out in quali again this year.
So... What's your predictions for Monaco 2019?
I know Monaco has some issues as a race, but I still believe that it's the best race to watch to truly see how skilled the drivers are. Threading the car around the streets as the speeds they do is amazing to behold. It's one of the races I'd love to attend one day to really get a feel for the speed and skills, even if Monaco itself is definately not to my taste.
While the race can be dull I have to say that of all the GPs I've been to watching the qualifying laps round Monaco is the most jaw-dropping thing I've ever seen in F1. The speed and proximity to the barriers and walls has to be seen in the flesh to be believed.... TV slows it all down and makes it look pedestrian.
Monaco is totally unsuitable for modern F1 - and has been since about 1980. Despite that it has often turned up interesting "races" and surprising results. Unfortunately, with current rules about racing in rain and safety cars, some of the unpredictability has been ironed out of the event - which is a shame.
But you never know.
But you never know.
I wonder how they're going to cope with the increadibly low out-lap speeds they have this year on such a narrow circuit. Surely it's going to be almost impossible to get out of the way at some points on the track?
The race at Monarco has been a joke since they really got wings working in the early 70s. I don't see a reason to believe this year will be any different.
The race at Monarco has been a joke since they really got wings working in the early 70s. I don't see a reason to believe this year will be any different.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 15th May 08:04
TheDeuce said:
We further concluded, that because it's totally unsuitable it's hilarious, and we can all look forward to something weird happening, safe in the knowledge that if there is an incident, it's VERY unlikely to result in driver injury as realistically, they aren't going that fast in the first place.
How fast do they get up to, I assume the tunnel and the start/finish straight aren't too slow?Fire's the thing that would worry me most at a lot of tracks. Maybe it's just me but I feel like we're seeing more brakes catch fire than we used to and with halos and batteries around too it's, well, enough to make Hulkenberg not want to hang around at Abu Dhabi.
I think that qualifying is the real highlight of the weekend - they should award the points for that.
I have not been since 1979 the great memory was really the Renault 5 and F3 races. Watching qualifying from the palace ramparts and listening to the engine notes are they powered through La Rascasse was the best bit of F1.
For the glitz, Prince Rainier driving the circuit in his Corniche before the start, Alan Jones climbing through our grandstand when his Williams stopped and being stood next to Patrese on the pit straight, unable to change the lens on my SLR to take a photograph.
But I would not pay for the privilege of attending now.
EFA Having just seen the video that Eric posted, I now realise it was the 1980 race that we saw. The crash was at St Devote and we were at the swimming pool. Just looking at the results, 7 cars did not qualify including Watson in a McLaren and Tiff Needell in the Ensign and only 9 cars finished.
These were this good old days we all loved for close racing
I have not been since 1979 the great memory was really the Renault 5 and F3 races. Watching qualifying from the palace ramparts and listening to the engine notes are they powered through La Rascasse was the best bit of F1.
For the glitz, Prince Rainier driving the circuit in his Corniche before the start, Alan Jones climbing through our grandstand when his Williams stopped and being stood next to Patrese on the pit straight, unable to change the lens on my SLR to take a photograph.
But I would not pay for the privilege of attending now.
EFA Having just seen the video that Eric posted, I now realise it was the 1980 race that we saw. The crash was at St Devote and we were at the swimming pool. Just looking at the results, 7 cars did not qualify including Watson in a McLaren and Tiff Needell in the Ensign and only 9 cars finished.
These were this good old days we all loved for close racing
Edited by rdjohn on Wednesday 15th May 12:53
Eric Mc said:
The track is actually quite a bit narrower than it used to be in some places - and that doesn't help - especially with the monster cars they have at the moment.
Indeed; the wheelbase of the Mercedes is 4 FEET longer (1.2m for our younger readers) than the typical 60s and early 70s F1 cars. MotorSport's season preview last year showed that the current cars are slower round the Station Hairpin (or whatever it's called these days) than 20 years ago. I remember 1980 for this -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjKGGU2hSLU
And 1982, the race nobody wanted to win -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tea-fDaMVDk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjKGGU2hSLU
And 1982, the race nobody wanted to win -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tea-fDaMVDk
I don't think Mercedes will dominate (might be the only race this year they don't!)
The last couple of years has shown that its longer wheelbase puts them at a slight disadvantage.
I fully expect to see Max on pole (that's assuming he dosen't bin it at the swimming pool chicanes again)
The last couple of years has shown that its longer wheelbase puts them at a slight disadvantage.
I fully expect to see Max on pole (that's assuming he dosen't bin it at the swimming pool chicanes again)
768 said:
How fast do they get up to, I assume the tunnel and the start/finish straight aren't too slow?
Fire's the thing that would worry me most at a lot of tracks. Maybe it's just me but I feel like we're seeing more brakes catch fire than we used to and with halos and batteries around too it's, well, enough to make Hulkenberg not want to hang around at Abu Dhabi.
The brakes are designed in the knowledge that their operating temperature is so high that quickly stopping will result in some flames.Fire's the thing that would worry me most at a lot of tracks. Maybe it's just me but I feel like we're seeing more brakes catch fire than we used to and with halos and batteries around too it's, well, enough to make Hulkenberg not want to hang around at Abu Dhabi.
It is unsettling to see a bloke in a car that's on fire. But the fact we can see it, along with thousands of people at the event, is why it's not really a danger. There is a lot of generally non flammable car between the brakes and the fuel/driver, and there is always a team of Marshall's with fire extinguishers very close by.
The dangers of fire used to be far greater.
As for speed, of course the answer is 'bloody fast', they're still F1 cars! The chicane after the tunnel is the place to have the fastest accident. It's a far cry from taking a turn flat out at nearly 200mph and binning it at other more suitable tracks though.
I like it as a spectacle to watch on tv, the setting, the glamour, much more interesting than a boring old airfield in the middle of nowhere, visually speaking.
The race itself is usually a procession, unless the weather stirs things up, and then it can turn into complete drama.
I'd love to go one day. I've seen F1 at a few different circuits, but you can never really get properly close to the cars at full chat. I'm less inclined to bother now though, the modern era of F1 doesn't motivate me enough to spend £££ in order to attend a race.
The race itself is usually a procession, unless the weather stirs things up, and then it can turn into complete drama.
I'd love to go one day. I've seen F1 at a few different circuits, but you can never really get properly close to the cars at full chat. I'm less inclined to bother now though, the modern era of F1 doesn't motivate me enough to spend £££ in order to attend a race.
Gary29 said:
I like it as a spectacle to watch on tv, the setting, the glamour, much more interesting than a boring old airfield in the middle of nowhere, visually speaking.
The race itself is usually a procession, unless the weather stirs things up, and then it can turn into complete drama.
I'd love to go one day. I've seen F1 at a few different circuits, but you can never really get properly close to the cars at full chat. I'm less inclined to bother now though, the modern era of F1 doesn't motivate me enough to spend £££ in order to attend a race.
I'm going to the classic next year - very good value by all accounts.The race itself is usually a procession, unless the weather stirs things up, and then it can turn into complete drama.
I'd love to go one day. I've seen F1 at a few different circuits, but you can never really get properly close to the cars at full chat. I'm less inclined to bother now though, the modern era of F1 doesn't motivate me enough to spend £££ in order to attend a race.
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