You are here: Home / @The Apex / Racing / FIA Formula One World Championship / 2006 Season / Action Packed, Unpredictable Weekend in Monte Carlo

Action Packed, Unpredictable Weekend in Monte Carlo

The outcome of the Monte Carlo Grand Prix could not at any point be taken for granted. However, after 78 gripping laps where the skills, determination and frustrations of the drivers were evident throughout, it was Fernando Alonso who was able to stand on the top step of the Monaco podium for the first time in his career.

Juan Pablo Montoya held second place and David Coulthard came third, in doing so clinching Red Bull Racing's first ever podium.

Schumacher put on a robust performance, setting the race lap record and battling hard throughout the duration to cross the line in fifth place. Felipe Massa finished just outside the points in ninth place.

A top grid position on the narrow Monaco street circuit is considered a key target for a driver over the Grand Prix season. This year, the crucial pole position was seized by Fernando Alonso, followed by Mark Webber and Kimi Raikkonen.

Ferrari had a frustrating afternoon in qualifying. Following an on-track incident involving Michael Schumacher and subsequent investigation by the stewards, Schumacher was relegated to the back of the grid and started from the pit lane. Felipe Massa was left disappointed when he hit the barrier approaching Casino Square and began from last place.

There is no room for error at turn one of the Monaco Grand Prix. When the lights faded, the drivers made a relatively clean getaway with the exception of the Midlands.

Most drivers held position, however it was not long before Raikkonen made an impressive pass on Webber in lap two, setting his sights on the Spaniard ahead of him.

Following the first round of pit stops the race became a four-way battle with Alonso under constant pressure from his competitors - Raikkonen, Webber and Montoya, respectively. The four remained in each others' slip streams as they navigated their way through the streets.

One would be forgiven for thinking this would be the case until the final lap. Nevertheless, by the halfway stage of the race, the unusually low attrition rate was not to last long. Within laps, the competition lost its second and third place men, transforming the outcome of the race as well as the mid-field battle for points.

Both Webber and Raikkonen had suffered engine problems - flames emanating from the rear of their cars - with the Cosworth of Webber causing the safety car to be deployed. They were shortly joined by Rosberg, Trulli and a number of other disappointed drivers who had been in contention for points and even podiums.

These pieces fell into place for Alonso, who then maintained a comfortable, pressure-free lead for the remainder of the race.

Michael Schumacher, faced with the tough challenge of cutting through the field on one of the most difficult overtaking circuits, had put in a fine drive, gaining six places within the first lap. With four laps to go he also set the fastest lap of the race, finally rising from P22 to finish in fifth place.

Mike Copson Shell's Technical Manager, after the race added: "It's evidently a tough race for the cars in many respects and a particularly hard environment for the gear boxes, which do tend to suffer under the elevated temperatures. But the Shell Spirax package performed well and the gearboxes came through flawlessly."

The result means that Scuderia Ferrari maintains second place in the Constructors' Championship with 63 points to Renault's 91. Michael Schumacher now has 43 points, retaining second place in the Drivers' Championship.

England's Silverstone plays host to the eighth round of the season, on June 11.