Despite the glitz and glamour surrounding the Monaco Grand Prix, this afternoon’s race threatened to be a processional affair characterised by the lack of overtaking for which Monaco has become synonymous. That was until the last ten laps when, on worn tyres, the Formula One drivers showed exactly why they are the best in the world.
‘Today we had a really mixed bag of luck,’ said Mike Copson of Shell Global Solutions. ‘Were Michael not to have hit the Minardi and Rubens not to have stalled, the result could have been quite different. After all, Michael did set the fastest lap of the race. Three points and both cars home is a start though but we will always want more. The new fuel performed very well and we all enjoyed the last few laps, real edge-of-the seat stuff!’ Â
The men who raced the 78 laps to take the points today deserve the accolades they will receive as they steered their Formula One cars around the principality’s narrow streets. Raikkonen drove to his first win in Monaco and was followed home by Heidfeld and Webber after Championship-leader Alonso’s demise in the dying laps. For Ferrari, the team’s run of bad luck continues as both men were caught out in front of a stalled Minardi at around one third race distance. Both Ferraris finished the race, but despite storming drives, they could only claim three points. Â
Qualifying in Monaco has always been crucial and this morning’s session was no exception. Raikkonen grabbed the pole from Alonso with the last lap of the session as both men took the front row ahead of Webber and Fisichella. Ferrari suffered from slower laps yesterday as although their pace was improved today, they could manage no better than eighth and tenth. Â
As the grid climbed the hill for the first time they settled into a rhythm they would struggle to break until Albers’ Minardi spun at Mirabeau, blocking the track. Coulthard was first to arrive at the blind corner but could not slow enough to avoid hitting the stranded car. Neither could Michael Schumacher who lost his front wing in the process. Cars parked up behind the Minardi until the safety car was deployed for five laps in order to clear up the mess. Drivers dived for the pits (including both Renaults) and Michael Schumacher had to pit for a new nose, putting him in 13th place, a lap down on the leader.
When the safety car came in again, normal service was resumed as cars formed the long Monagasque snake pattern once again. Â
On lap 45 Barrichello pitted for the first time. A stall on the exit though and a subsequent penalty for speeding in the pit lane on the way out shuffled the second Ferrari down the pack too. Â
Raikkonen forged on but by lap 64, six cars were queued behind Fisichella. On the approach to the hairpin, Trulli lunged with his Toyota, pushing both wide. Montoya needed no further excuse to pass, as did Ralf Schumacher and both Ferrari cars by the exit of the tunnel. In three corners, Fisichella had lost five places. Â
Ahead, Alonso was holding up the Williams boys but lap by lap they hustled the Renault hard. Heidfeld made a brave move out of the tunnel into the chicane for position that he somehow made stick and was followed two laps later by team mate Webber (despite both cars having overshot the chicane the previous lap). Alonso’s day was not over though as Montoya had his sights set on the Renault too. He closed in to chase the Renault over the line, as did Ralf Schumacher with both Ferrari’s chasing him. Alonso held on from Montoya and Ralf just managed to hold off the Ferraris but Michael did manage to pass Rubens at the chicane on the last lap for seventh place. Â
Nurburgring is next, perhaps the exact opposite of the Monaco race, but either way with BAR due to come back and five highly competitive teams fighting for position, the race will be interesting to say to least.
