Mean machines in Monaco
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED WITH NEW GENERATION OF CARS
This weekend the F1 world will take up residence in Monte Carlo for the Monaco Grand Prix, often titled the “jewel in the crown”. I have said before that it is probably my least favourite race on the calendar. On occasion it has produced some excitement, but generally it is a parade from lights to flag. However, with the new generation of cars perhaps we can expect some action this Sunday.
Drivers such as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen have thrown caution to the winds in the past with some very brave moves. A few have come off, and some have ended in disaster.
Monaco is the type of circuit that can level the playing field and results can often go against the normal run of events.
The race for the driver’s title is warming up with just six points separating Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, while 12 points separate the Brackley and Maranello teams in the Constructor’s championship.
Ferrari has not won at Monaco since Michael Schumacher’s victory in 2001 – a 16-year drought they would love to end this Sunday.
Mercedes have recently made it their own, with victories every year since 2013, three for reigning champion Nico Rosberg and one to Hamilton.
It will be interesting to watch the return of Jenson Button, standing in for Fernando Alonso for this race.
Button has not turned a wheel in anger in the MCL32, so the practice sessions will be a real eye opener for the recently retired exworld champion.
The Monaco circuit is not the easiest at any time and with wider cars and complex aerodynamic effects he will have his work cut out for him.
Alonso will be otherwise engaged this weekend as he attempts to win the legendary Indy 500.
Driving the Andretti Autosport McLaren-Honda IndyCar, with its Dallara IR-12 chassis and Honda 2.2-litre twin-turbo engine delivering around 560 kW will prove a very different experience to F1.
After disastrous seasons with the Woking team the opportunity to drive a McLaren that is not going to self destruct must be a pleasure for the Spaniard.
Not surprisingly the double world champion has taken to it like a duck to water. Recording times within the top 10 during all the practice sessions and shoot outs, Alonso went on to qualify fifth, the middle of the second row, for the race itself.
This was even more impressive when it was discovered that his new engine was not delivering the power of his previous power plant. This weekend is a real baptism of fire but I will not be at all surprised if the name Alonso appears in the top three on Sunday afternoon.
Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, told the official F1 website that: “We are a bit in noman’s land, as we are trying to start playing with the big boys.”
Once again the engine is the issue. Renault have targeted an upgrade for Azerbaijan but the first units will go to the works Renault, so Red Bull have to wait for the third engine before receiving the long awaited improvement.
Horner went on.”There seems to be some healthy discussions going on between Ross Brawn, the FIA and different engine manufacturers, F1 desperately needs the engine issue being addressed. It is the key to the future, from a cost point of view, from a performance point of view, and from a sound and entertainment point of view.
“I am sure the commercial rights holder would like to have a competitive, independent engine, because that would not give so much power to the manufacturers.
“If they said ‘we are leaving’ then we would be left standing in the rain without engines.”
A good point, but the chance of any progress in this matter is a long way down the line.
Ross Brawn, technical director of FOM has been revealed as the man who persuaded the Strategy Group to allow all teams to attend the meetings, rather than the previous top echelons only.
This is a far more democratic situation that will hopefully result in a more transparent agenda for the group.
Brawn also announced that the Formula 1 motorsport division has appointed Jason Somerville as head of aerodynamics and Craig Wilson as head of vehicle performance.
Both have a wealth of experience, Somerville with the victorious BMW Le Mans team as well as Toyota, Lotus- Renault and Williams F1.
Wilson has been involved with F1 for many years with teams such as BAR, Honda, Brawn and Williams.
On August 1 this year the group will be joined by Nigel Kerr as financial director.
Kerr is another who has deep roots in the sport, running financial operations and strategies for BAR, Honda and Brawn, assisting in its eventual sale to Mercedes.
Let’s hope these new appointees will be able to put in place strategies and regulations to ensure the continued participation of existing teams and encourage the entry of new teams in F1.
We are a bit in no-man’s land, as we are trying to start playing with the big boys. Christian Horner Red Bull team principal