Gazzetta dello Sport wrote:Bizzarri breaks down - both mechanically and emotionally - losing Monaco podiumIt seemed written in the stars. One of the biggest upsets of F1RWRS history was on the cards, a rookie driver with the minnow Revolution team that had recorded 40 DNPQs and 5 DNQs in their last 54 appearances. They'd already upset the odds with fifth at Zandvoort, but with Marco Bizzarri at the helm, it seemed the tiny Japanese outfit were about to take one almighty scalp.
Fastest in pre-qualifying, the Italian rookie then skilfully threaded his bright red machine through the Monaco armco to an astounding ninth on the grid. Minnows qualifying high up the grid isn't new in F1RWRS, but staying there is a trick few small teams can pull off.
This was no ordinary race however. Chaos at the first turn eliminated several key contenders and demoted others down the order. Despite the first turn madness, Bizzarri kept a cool head and moved up to seventh. And as the race progressed, he picked off drivers ahead one by one, a combination of smart strategy and sensible driving. This was no sit at the back of the field and wait for the rest to take care of themselves job - he was in the thick of it, and he was slowly climbing his way to the uncharted heights of the podium.
With less than 20 laps to go of the marathon 96 lap event, Bizzarri was battling tooth and nail with Aeroracing stalwart Kay Lon for the final podium place. And tragedy struck. A seized transmission ground his car to a halt, trickling desperately down the short run between Casino Square and Mirabeau. The dream was over. The car had broken down. Followed by the driver.
Bizzarri, likely well aware this race would have been a career defining performance, was shell-shocked. His masterful driving all weekend had been reduced to another retirement on the scoresheet. The best drive of his career had amounted to nothing. He clambered out of his stricken Revolution, kneeled next to the cockpit, and broke down in tears. The marshals had to coax him away from the car and behind the barriers, to allow the smoking red car to be craned out of the way.
Bizzarri's manager, former F1RWRS racer Giovanni Roda, offered praise and sympathy to his compatriot, having watched the race on television in China in between his driving duties at Zhuhai with Maserati.
"Today, Marco finally matured as a driver," he commented. "There was always a little uncertainty in his driving and approach in the past, but today he looked like a veteran of the sport - almost as good as me! His driving was spot on, precise, done with the right mix of speed, aggression and patience. There is no doubt he deserved to finish on the podium today. I am heartbroken for Marco."
Watch video of Bizzarri's tragic retirement and reaction 
