The 2013 Magical Monaco Grand Prix Thread

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 25 May 2013, 13:03

Is Rosberg the New Vettel?

pablo_h · Post by **pablo_h** » 25 May 2013, 13:04

East Londoner wrote:Oh no. Please, not a Red Bull front lock-out.

mercedes lockout and massive train for 8 laps

TheBigJ · Post by **TheBigJ** » 25 May 2013, 13:05

Hamilton to hold the pack up?

girry · Post by **girry** » 25 May 2013, 13:10

Let me tell you all that VDG would have been into Q3 had he completed his lap 10 seconds earlier and earned a chance to have a last blast in drier conditions! Screw you all gloryhunters who jumped to Marussia's ship, this is gonna be another Caterham season!

Fair play on Vergne too.

Post by **Ataxia** » 25 May 2013, 13:24

Didn't Di Resta just look amazingly Scottish in the press pit? White baseball cap and white shell jacket. Next thing you know, he'll be interviewed with a knife in his boot and a bottle of Buckfast in one hand...

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 25 May 2013, 13:27

Ataxia wrote:Didn't Di Resta just look amazingly Scottish in the press pit? White baseball cap and white shell jacket. Next thing you know, he'll be interviewed with a knife in his boot and a bottle of Buckfast in one hand...

Sutil vs di Resta in a barroom brawl? Sounds like a moneymaker to me :lol:

S951 · Post by **S951** » 25 May 2013, 14:29

vdg was impressive was pretty good to see him nearly make it into the top 10

Post by **Ataxia** » 25 May 2013, 14:35

Wizzie wrote:
Ataxia wrote:Didn't Di Resta just look amazingly Scottish in the press pit? White baseball cap and white shell jacket. Next thing you know, he'll be interviewed with a knife in his boot and a bottle of Buckfast in one hand...

Sutil vs di Resta in a barroom brawl? Sounds like a moneymaker to me

Wee Mental Pauly vs. The Mincer.

Get your tickets now!

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 25 May 2013, 14:39

Wizzie wrote:Sutil vs di Resta in a barroom brawl? Sounds like a moneymaker to me

Hamilton as referee :lol:

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 25 May 2013, 14:40

And just when Sutil looks like he's won in comes Raikkonen to take him out :lol:

Boomstick · Post by **Boomstick** » 25 May 2013, 15:31

Kimi-ICE wrote:And just when Sutil looks like he's won in comes Raikkonen to take him out

You sure? I mean there is a open Bar....

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 25 May 2013, 17:29

Just been prowling the results on the F1 Website and i found that Mark Webber in the Red Bull of all things was fastest through the speed trap. Of course that's helped by the fact that Monaco isn't as punishing on lack of speed as most places but still a pleasant surprise

rachel1990 · Post by **rachel1990** » 25 May 2013, 17:36

Kimi-ICE wrote:Just been prowling the results on the F1 Website and i found that Mark Webber in the Red Bull of all things was fastest through the speed trap. Of course that's helped by the fact that Monaco isn't as punishing on lack of speed as most places but still a pleasant surprise

I think almost everyone would prefer a Webber victory to a Vettel one.

Saying that though I would like Mercedes to win because there race pace in practice seemed quite good.

Just as long as its not Vettel. Please.

Backmarker · Post by **Backmarker** » 25 May 2013, 17:51

I missed quali due to being at a friend's stag-do, but it seems that every website has the same error in the results - they're all showing Giedo van der Garde as having qualified 15th. Must be a mistake, but odd that all the websites would make exactly the same error

AndreaModa · Post by **AndreaModa** » 25 May 2013, 18:14

Amazing job by van der Garde, it'll be interesting to see how he goes tomorrow and whether he can hold his position, and maybe even make some up?

I feel really sorry for Bianchi though because I bet he was eyeing up a similar result to what Guido managed.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 25 May 2013, 18:33

Jocke1 wrote:
eurobrun wrote:How come GVDG is actually competent all of the sudden?

Not all of a sudden, I called it already during FP2.
Jocke1 wrote:I'm watching Practice 2 right now and GVDG is on fire! Not literally.

I don't know why, but I saw something in his driving early that session. I knew he would be on it this weekend.

Giedo knew it as well:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6108&p=239256#p237621

Next up we go to Monaco, a track I know well and one where I was on the podium twice last year in GP2, and in Formula Renault 3.5, so another qualifying performance like I had in Spain, and a race like I had until retiring today, and I think we can do well.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 25 May 2013, 20:41

Some people just don't want to let it go:

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 25 May 2013, 20:45

Jocke1 wrote:Some people just don't want to let it go:

That's not a surprise. I remember in the race last year where Crofty said to Brundle about Ferrari possibly asking Alonso to move aside for Massa before using that brilliant phrase "Felipe is faster than you". I'm surprised everyone let go of Crashgate very quickly though.

Post by **mario** » 25 May 2013, 21:15

Kimi-ICE wrote:Just been prowling the results on the F1 Website and i found that Mark Webber in the Red Bull of all things was fastest through the speed trap. Of course that's helped by the fact that Monaco isn't as punishing on lack of speed as most places but still a pleasant surprise

It's interesting that Webber wasn't topping the speed trap in the third sector either - he's recorded as being 9th fastest when he crossed the finish line, about 2kph slower than Perez (who was fastest in that sector), but ended up about 1.5kph faster than Perez in the main speed trap. Perhaps it is down to his 7th gear ratio giving him slightly better acceleration (i.e. his top speed is marginally lower than his rivals, but he gets there slightly quicker)?

went · Post by **went** » 25 May 2013, 21:20

GwilymJJames wrote:ROSBERGFINISHESP7LOL

If we do get this tomorrow, we can wrap Reject(s) of the Season up already.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 25 May 2013, 22:28

I honestly feel that van der Garde qualifying 15th is the greatest Reject-related happening since Indy 2004 (not much can top that).

It was marvelous but surreal seing GvdG being celebrated as a King in the pits afterwards:
http://youtu.be/MRP8Ad1S1ew

(apparently the video is not allowed in Germany)

They were all jubilant and ecstatic like they had just scored a point! Which they didn't. But they just might. Tomorrow.
Hopefully.

Nessafox · Post by **Nessafox** » 25 May 2013, 23:18

So either GVDG has talent after all, or the Caterham is actually a decent car and Pic is just not that good after all?
But then again GVDG has centuries of experience in lower formulae, so he should know some circuits very good, even if it is different type of car. I will only be convinced when he starts to perform on tracks that are new to him.
But who knows, maybe in the end of the seasons it turns out that actually Chilton is the real deal. 8-)

WaffleCat · Post by **WaffleCat** » 25 May 2013, 23:38

Jocke1 wrote:I honestly feel that van der Garde qualifying 15th is the greatest Reject-related happening since Indy 2004 (not much can top that).

I found something that can top that,although it comes from a reject team than a reject himself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZroTtC-FFcE&feature=player_detailpage#t=173s

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 26 May 2013, 06:07

I think we've broke this year's GP post number, if we only consider the ones posted before the race. And if it rains today too, well...

Onxy Wrecked · Post by **Onxy Wrecked** » 26 May 2013, 06:13

This wrote:So either GVDG has talent after all, or the Caterham is actually a decent car and Pic is just not that good after all?
But then again GVDG has centuries of experience in lower formulae, so he should know some circuits very good, even if it is different type of car. I will only be convinced when he starts to perform on tracks that are new to him.
But who knows, maybe in the end of the seasons it turns out that actually Chilton is the real deal.

We've seen Pic charge from last to 15th in the Caterham so don't take him too lightly. GVDG has talent and the Caterham is decent. Combine the two and Chilton is forever last place.

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 26 May 2013, 08:29

Anyone know the weather reports for today's race?

GwilymJJames · Post by **GwilymJJames** » 26 May 2013, 08:32

Kimi-ICE wrote:Anyone know the weather reports for today's race?

Dry and sunny.

---

It's all kicking off...

Autosport wrote:Mercedes is at the centre of a growing controversy ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix after it emerged the team had conducted a 'secret' 1000 kilometre tyre test at Barcelona after the last race.

The Brackley-based outfit has struggled to work out why its race form is no match for its qualifying efforts this season, having now secured four consecutive pole positions but struggled in the races.

AUTOSPORT can reveal that rival outfits have been left deeply unhappy that Mercedes was given a golden chance to boost its understanding of the issue with a private test at Barcelona last week.

Although in-season testing is banned, it is understood that Mercedes was requested by Pirelli to help work through the issues that the Italian tyre manufacturer has experienced in the last few races.

According to sources at Mercedes, the test was allowed because Pirelli can call upon one outfit for a private test to help it with products if circumstances dictate.

Mercedes is adamant that its running at Barcelona was totally within the regulations, but high-level sources have revealed that other teams are not convinced and the matter has now been taken up with the FIA.

Isn't there meant to be a Pirelli test car for this exact reason?

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 26 May 2013, 08:38

GwilymJJames wrote:Isn't there meant to be a Pirelli test car for this exact reason?

Well, when you have a choice between the Renault R30 and the HRT F111, I'd probably take this year's Merc over those two any day.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 26 May 2013, 08:41

WaffleCat wrote:
Jocke1 wrote:I honestly feel that van der Garde qualifying 15th is the greatest Reject-related happening since Indy 2004 (not much can top that).

I found something that can top that,although it comes from a reject team than a reject himself...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZroTtC-FFcE&feature=player_detailpage#t=173s

I love that, too. I remember smiling from ear to ear when that happened.

Jocke1 · Post by **Jocke1** » 26 May 2013, 08:48

Jocke1 wrote:It's incredible how high the cranes are lifting the cars (Bianchi's just now in Q1 and Grosjean's yesterday).
I just envision the kind of catastrophe it would be if some cable would snap and give way at that altitude.
I've never seen this before in previous years, why are they lifting so high?

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 26 May 2013, 09:10

Here's some interesting news down at Toro Rosso

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107672

Post by **mario** » 26 May 2013, 09:54

GwilymJJames wrote:
Kimi-ICE wrote:Anyone know the weather reports for today's race?

Dry and sunny.

---

It's all kicking off...

Autosport wrote:Mercedes is at the centre of a growing controversy ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix after it emerged the team had conducted a 'secret' 1000 kilometre tyre test at Barcelona after the last race.

The Brackley-based outfit has struggled to work out why its race form is no match for its qualifying efforts this season, having now secured four consecutive pole positions but struggled in the races.

AUTOSPORT can reveal that rival outfits have been left deeply unhappy that Mercedes was given a golden chance to boost its understanding of the issue with a private test at Barcelona last week.

Although in-season testing is banned, it is understood that Mercedes was requested by Pirelli to help work through the issues that the Italian tyre manufacturer has experienced in the last few races.

According to sources at Mercedes, the test was allowed because Pirelli can call upon one outfit for a private test to help it with products if circumstances dictate.

Mercedes is adamant that its running at Barcelona was totally within the regulations, but high-level sources have revealed that other teams are not convinced and the matter has now been taken up with the FIA.

Isn't there meant to be a Pirelli test car for this exact reason?

You almost feel that this could be a separate discussion thread in its own right because I am sure that this is likely to rumble on for some time.

Now, Pirelli have been complaining that they are being actively hindered by the teams in a number of ways because of their restrictions on testing and their refusal to provide a representative test car - the R30 they've used in the past is increasingly obsolete due to the rapidly changing regulations and the lack of in season testing prevents Pirelli from testing modifications to the tyres (and even then, the decision to use the R30 met with a lot of resistance from the other teams). Using the F111 is also out of the question since Pirelli only own the chassis of that car - Cosworth has retained the engines and Williams has retained the gearboxes, so it'd require a fair amount of work to get it into a usable state.
What also surprises me is the fact that this test was able to go ahead at all and remain secret for over a week - after all, holding a three day test session is hardly a subtle event, since it effectively requires almost as many personnel as an actual race (it is compulsory to have full medical crews and marshals present).

Anyway, it is understandable why their rivals are likely to be very angry at this move by Pirelli and Mercedes - Ferrari, for example, have long chaffed at the tight restrictions on in season testing, so the idea of another team getting an extra 1000km of testing must be infuriating. Equally, the claim by Pirelli and Mercedes that they are allowed to select a single team for a one off in season private test on, presumably, safety grounds is surprising - I am not aware of any formal directive or regulation that allows this sort of test to take place, nor have we heard of such tests occurring in the past.
Then again, it would seem to be the case that the FIA were informed about the test in advance, suggesting that they quietly approved of the idea - there is also a whisper from some quarters that Mercedes might not have been the only outfit who have carried out such a test (Joe Saward has suggested that Ferrari might have also conducted a private test with Pirelli in Bahrain after that race). If that is true, then it makes the situation even more interesting...

Kimi-ICE wrote:Here's some interesting news down at Toro Rosso

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107672

On engine related details, there are a number of journalists that believe the news of a Williams-Mercedes deal for 2014 to 2016 is imminent too - especially given that both Lauda and Andy Cowell (the latter being in charge of Mercedes's powertrain division) were seen in the Williams motorhome this weekend.

Post by **Londoner** » 26 May 2013, 11:25

And this is about to get ugly.

TomWazzleshaw · Post by **TomWazzleshaw** » 26 May 2013, 11:28

After seeing that side-by-side comparison between Rosberg and Hamilton on Sky just then, I'm absolutely convinced that Nico would be close to leading the championship right now if he didn't have that Merc to work with. He's in the form of his life right now.

Alextrax52 · Post by **Alextrax52** » 26 May 2013, 11:29

East Londoner wrote:And this is about to get ugly.

I think it will do. For the 2nd year in a row a top team is embroiled in controversy at Monaco after Red Bull supposed illegal hole last year

JJMonty · Post by **JJMonty** » 26 May 2013, 11:55

Well... Keke is positive of Nico's outcome....

Brundle's grid walk - interviewing Keke

'can nico win today?'

'no'

brundle just cracks up laughing and walks off

Short and sweet!

Shizuka · Post by **Shizuka** » 26 May 2013, 11:55

Good lord, that Masters of Monaco spot on Sky was terrible - Lauda and Alonso in particular looked ugly...

S951 · Post by **S951** » 26 May 2013, 11:59

really excited about this

shame about the protests though

TheBigJ · Post by **TheBigJ** » 26 May 2013, 12:00

Is there any race chat anymore?

Post by **Londoner** » 26 May 2013, 12:01

TheBigJ wrote:Is there any race chat anymore?

Here