Official 2019 Monaco Grand Prix Thread ***SPOILERS***
Discussion
If ever a weekend is all about qualifying, it’s Monaco. Ferrari seem to be facing up to the fact that they have taken a wrong turn in the concept of SF90, but at Monaco that issue will be minimised. Expect CLC to be bang on it this weekend, is my tip.
Before we all moan about the lack of racing and no overtaking and it’s like riding a bicycle in your lounge etc., watch this 1990 onboard clip with Ayrton at his finest; it's a magical place:
https://youtu.be/auXfAHHNSFo
Date(s): Thursday 23 May- Sunday 26 May 2019
UK Broadcast Timings (and local time)
All sessions are live on Sky F1; only highlights are shown on Channel 4:
Live timing for all sessions available here:
https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html
Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:
https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-c...
Weather forecast:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2993458
Tyre Choices:
2018 Qualifying Result:
2018 Race Result:
2018 race highlights:
https://youtu.be/0lj6Q9gN4RQ
Daniel Ricciardo drove a masterful race to fend off Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari and win the Monaco Grand Prix in a stricken Red Bull.
The Australian dominated the weekend and led from pole but shortly after his only pit stop suffered a power loss at one-third distance.
Ricciardo managed to hold off Vettel for the remaining 50 laps, as Lewis Hamilton took third in his Mercedes.
Before we all moan about the lack of racing and no overtaking and it’s like riding a bicycle in your lounge etc., watch this 1990 onboard clip with Ayrton at his finest; it's a magical place:
https://youtu.be/auXfAHHNSFo
Date(s): Thursday 23 May- Sunday 26 May 2019
UK Broadcast Timings (and local time)
All sessions are live on Sky F1; only highlights are shown on Channel 4:
Live timing for all sessions available here:
https://www.formula1.com/en/f1-live.html
Lap times, PU component use, technical reports and Stewards' decisions for the weekend will appear here:
https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-c...
Weather forecast:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2993458
Tyre Choices:
2018 Qualifying Result:
2018 Race Result:
2018 race highlights:
https://youtu.be/0lj6Q9gN4RQ
Daniel Ricciardo drove a masterful race to fend off Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari and win the Monaco Grand Prix in a stricken Red Bull.
The Australian dominated the weekend and led from pole but shortly after his only pit stop suffered a power loss at one-third distance.
Ricciardo managed to hold off Vettel for the remaining 50 laps, as Lewis Hamilton took third in his Mercedes.
Edited by Piginapoke on Thursday 16th May 21:03
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Can't wait, one of my favourite weekends of the year whether attending of simply viewing on TV.
Could it be a chance for Honda's first Hybrid win?
Definitely a chance. Maybe their best chance.Could it be a chance for Honda's first Hybrid win?
A lot stands in the way however. Mercedes are rumoured to have as good a setup for this kind of track, so I suppose this race will prove that theory one way or another. Either way, the Mercedes are not going to be easy to beat.
The other issue, is that Max would need to qualify P1 to stand a good chance of winning the race. That means pushing as hard as he ever has in qualifying. He did that here previously... Didn't end well. When Hamilton pushes to the limit he goes to 99.99%. When Max pushes he gets to 101% which is a little risky to say the least.
Ferrari really aren't likely to be in the mix, so I expect an RB vs Merc headline battle to evolve, probably even ahead of quali.
All of the above is dependant on relatively smooth running. Monaco has been fairly calm the last couple of seasons, but it remains a fact that the track is tight and the most subtle driver error on lap one could take out or set back any number of cars. We know that it's highly likely that at corner one two mercs and one red bull will have to find a way to fit through.. The drivers are excellent so they probably will. It'll be a tense moment though! Many a clenched arse on the pit wall
And just after my previous post above, I settle down with a glass of wine, and read this:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.verstap...
Two thoughts occur:
1) If he's right that his RB is off Mercedes even in Monaco, one can only imagine how dimly he must view Ferrari's chances. Cars he has beaten or split each race so far. He currently holds more points than either Ferrari driver (if only there were two of him...).
2) If he's right, then a quick briefing from Toto about not wiping each others cars out, and it will be another 1-2 Mercedes. I do genuinely believe that if the two Merc drivers are told to not fight corner one, to allow the car that gets there first comfortable space, both would obey. They both generally understand the need to protect their teams interests alongside their own.
Maybe... Max is just playing the Mercedes card and downplaying his chances... Although factually what he says is correct, the Mercedes, on top of all their other positive points this year, do go round slow and medium corners with sort of adhesive traction normally associated with a Limpet.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.verstap...
Two thoughts occur:
1) If he's right that his RB is off Mercedes even in Monaco, one can only imagine how dimly he must view Ferrari's chances. Cars he has beaten or split each race so far. He currently holds more points than either Ferrari driver (if only there were two of him...).
2) If he's right, then a quick briefing from Toto about not wiping each others cars out, and it will be another 1-2 Mercedes. I do genuinely believe that if the two Merc drivers are told to not fight corner one, to allow the car that gets there first comfortable space, both would obey. They both generally understand the need to protect their teams interests alongside their own.
Maybe... Max is just playing the Mercedes card and downplaying his chances... Although factually what he says is correct, the Mercedes, on top of all their other positive points this year, do go round slow and medium corners with sort of adhesive traction normally associated with a Limpet.
768 said:
If Merc can manage another 1-2 at Monaco... that's going to be some serious pressure to continue that run.
Surely if they manage that, then the pressure to a large extent is off?Maybe I have misunderstood.
EDIT: On the other hand if they can do it at Monaco, then there is semi -realistic chance of doing it all season, so I suppose there would be that goal/pressure. I can hardly believe I'm suggesting one team taking all 1-2's in a season - but probably no more so than I would have believed they would already have 5 before the season began.
Edited by TheDeuce on Thursday 16th May 22:40
Deesee said:
Merc 1/2 quali, 1/2 race.
Rear wheel steering, the one thing they have and no one else does, huge advantage in the slow/medium corners.
Probably will happen, barring any Monaco style unexpected incidents.Rear wheel steering, the one thing they have and no one else does, huge advantage in the slow/medium corners.
But... Who will be the third driver on the podium? I think max, seems much more likely than either Ferrari here. That's quite exciting as he's already ahead of either Ferrari driver in terms of points. Be nice to see that lead stretch out a little, he deserves it.
TheDeuce said:
Probably will happen, barring any Monaco style unexpected incidents.
But... Who will be the third driver on the podium? I think max, seems much more likely than either Ferrari here. That's quite exciting as he's already ahead of either Ferrari driver in terms of points. Be nice to see that lead stretch out a little, he deserves it.
I like what Max is doing so far, good clean racing, taking well measured overtakes for position, if the Honda can prove to be reliable he should have a good season.But... Who will be the third driver on the podium? I think max, seems much more likely than either Ferrari here. That's quite exciting as he's already ahead of either Ferrari driver in terms of points. Be nice to see that lead stretch out a little, he deserves it.
Deesee said:
I like what Max is doing so far, good clean racing, taking well measured overtakes for position, if the Honda can prove to be reliable he should have a good season.
By rights, if the PU does hold up, he should be 3rd this year. Which given that Mercedes seem to already be a foregone conclusion, would be in my eyes about as impressive as being world champion, were it any other year and Mercedes not totally dominant.This season the pundits remain fixated on some Ferrari v Mercedes battle, I don't think red bulls advancement gets the attention it deserves. Probably because Gasly hasn't bought home the points needed for the team to be a serious threat to Ferrari. However... As a team, and in Max, they are being more impressive than Ferrari so far. For me that's far more exciting than a Mercedes v Ferrari story - I feel I'm already able to skip to the end of that story!
For the sake of variety, it would be good to see Max give the Mercs a hard time in Monaco. We cant rely on Ferrari to spring a surprise, as they simply have nothing to offer this year based on current performances. I hoped they'd produce a car capable of being quick enough that any strategy blunders would be negated by having enough raw pace to keep ahead of Mercedes. Instead, the car has a minute operating window, and they're struggling to understand this year's tyres.
Couple their lack of consistent race pace, and both drivers making errors, I honestly cant see them winning a race this year unless both Mercs, and Verstappen are a DNF. Red Bull look more likely to pinch a win from Merc at this stage; Mercedes haven't been faultless, but they've not needed to be, it's been quite routine for them so far.
Speaking of Max, he's been driving brilliantly thus far - perhaps not as dynamite as in previous years, but he's showed a level head and a maturity that I didn't think he possessed. Banking the points and not making errors - he might not have quite the car he wants under him, but he's getting 100% out of it.
Couple their lack of consistent race pace, and both drivers making errors, I honestly cant see them winning a race this year unless both Mercs, and Verstappen are a DNF. Red Bull look more likely to pinch a win from Merc at this stage; Mercedes haven't been faultless, but they've not needed to be, it's been quite routine for them so far.
Speaking of Max, he's been driving brilliantly thus far - perhaps not as dynamite as in previous years, but he's showed a level head and a maturity that I didn't think he possessed. Banking the points and not making errors - he might not have quite the car he wants under him, but he's getting 100% out of it.
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