FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2008

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Monte Carlo - 22,24,25 May 2008

The Monaco Grand Prix is the one race of the year that every driver dreams of winning. Like the Indy 500 or Le Mans, it stands alone, almost distinct from the sport from which it was born. A combination of precision driving, technical excellence and sheer bravery is required to win in Monte Carlo, facets which highlight the differences between the great and the good in Formula One.

The Armco barrier-lined circuit leaves no margin for error, demanding more concentration that any other Formula One track. Cars run with maximum downforce and brakes are worked hard. Overtaking is next to impossible so qualifying in Monaco is more critical than at any other Grand Prix.

The Portier corner is key to achieving a good lap time around Monaco. It is preceded by the Loews hairpin, the slowest corner in Formula One, and followed by the tunnel, one of the few flat-out sections of the track. Some great names have ended their races in the barriers here, most notably Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher.

To win in Monaco places a driver's name on a list that includes many of history's all-time greats. Both Graham Hill, the man nicknamed 'Mr Monaco', and Schumacher have won it five times, Alain Prost took four victories, whilst Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart each won here three times. But the record of wins in the Principality resides with the Senna, who won in Monte Carlo six times.

The race has been a regular fixture of the world championship since 1955, but in that time the circuit has changed remarkably little. Slight alterations were made for the 2003 event, in particular a new, gentler entry to the Rascasse corner, with even bigger changes in 2004, with a new pit complex and increased spectator capacity.


Circuit de Monaco
Automobile Club de Monaco
23 Boulevard Albert 1er
BP 464
98000 MC Monaco
T: (+377) 931 52600
F: (+377) 932 58008

*information provided by www.formula1.com (http://www.formula1.com)

Looking forward to it indeed. I'm thinking Hamilton will have at least a podium, and my hunch says he might even get 1st! :D

Looking forward to it too. Things are starting to heat up in town a bit, it's going to be absolutely manic.

Track is completely setup, "Speed City" is alive :).

Woo hoo race on my birthday! Now if only I could see it in person...

Don't be surprised if Renault & BMW ruin McLaren & Ferrari's qualifying :).

I seriously reckon both BMW & Renault will fuel light just to get the 'pole'.


Mark my words ...............

I have a feeling that Force India will have a good run at this track. Because it is a slower course, I think this will be more of a driver expertise track, and Giancarlo loves this track, and Sutil led Practice in a Spyker last year.

I do wonder how the Ferrari's will respond to a tight course. I believe last year they were just lost and could not describe the reason why. The car is vastly improved over last year as the results have dictated so my prediction will be the same for this race. A Ferrari 1-2 and Fernando Alonso getting a podium in a surprise finish for Renault.

Fun track, and an even more fun weekend. Monaco-500-600.

Kubica, Lewis and Kovy I'd say will be fighting for pole.
But as I've said. Monaco is going to be extremly unpredictable. But I'm sure the BMW and McLaren will see this as an opening to attack ferrari for the championship. Not only that. Rosberg was mighty fast here last year, and this year he could be more trouble.
But also. The younger drivers do tend to like this track, and when you consider Vettel for this weekend. New car, and a perfect track for him to show a preformance similar to the opening GP.

Ferrari is extremely good in this session. I reckon that Ferrari will get the podium.

Also i hope BMW to have a good race and maybe a podium.

Im with Nemphis here, pole is more important here than anywhere else. Barring anything happening in the pit stops if you get pole your almost guaranteed the win.

Can see an immense scrap for pole, could be an upset with both McLaren and Ferrari stuck behind some very light cars.

Should be an epic race, love this track and will be interesting to see the cars around here. No TC on a street circuit should be interesting to watch.

Can't wait, this is one of my favourite GPs, Racing through the city just makes this more entertaining for me

I can't wait for the high quality images to come from the weekend! I've been looking at the images on f1.com and they are really clear and great quality.

Apart from that, it'll either be snooze-fest, or a great race. There never seems to be any middle ground at Monaco. Hopefully Williams do well, their aero upgrades, including lengthened engine cover and probably smaller details I just can't see due to the livery colour, look pretty good, so we'll just have to see.

This is most definitely my favorite race of the F1 calendar. This is the
race where getting pole position is that more criucial. I'm hoping for a
Ferrari 1/2, but in this race anything can happen!

I can't wait for the high quality images to come from the weekend! I've been looking at the images on f1.com and they are really clear and great quality.

Apart from that, it'll either be snooze-fest, or a great race. There never seems to be any middle ground at Monaco. Hopefully Williams do well, their aero upgrades, including lengthened engine cover and probably smaller details I just can't see due to the livery colour, look pretty good, so we'll just have to see.

haha, I was the same. I was looking and thinking, "damn you dark blue !!!" I think they've messed with the nose abit, but apart from that, you just can't see.

The usual with Monaco is pole sitter is the winner. However, if teams such as Renault/BMW go super light to get pole, we could still see some upsets, because Mclaren/Ferrari are still faster. All cars have a longer wheelbase than last year (apparently why Ferari were slower) so it should be interesting to see what happens. I reckon Lewis should get pole rounf here though. If he can make that car dance like he did last year, we could be in for a special lap. Kuvica, Kovy and Lewis for pole I say though, but I'm just looking forward to this GP.

When I'm an engineer for Mclaren in about 6 years time :p, I'll send you all some pictures.

haha, I was the same. I was looking and thinking, "damn you dark blue !!!" I think they've messed with the nose abit, but apart from that, you just can't see.

The usual with Monaco is pole sitter is the winner. However, if teams such as Renault/BMW go super light to get pole, we could still see some upsets, because Mclaren/Ferrari are still faster. All cars have a longer wheelbase than last year (apparently why Ferari were slower) so it should be interesting to see what happens. I reckon Lewis should get pole rounf here though. If he can make that car dance like he did last year, we could be in for a special lap. Kuvica, Kovy and Lewis for pole I say though, but I'm just looking forward to this GP.

When I'm an engineer for Mclaren in about 6 years time :p, I'll send you all some pictures.
And when you do, I'd be jealous and I'll bug you for discount items. :D

haha, I was the same. I was looking and thinking, "damn you dark blue !!!" I think they've messed with the nose abit, but apart from that, you just can't see.

lol, curse them and their dark dark dark blue! It's seriously almost black!

But anyway, most of the teams just used high downforce wings, or made changes I couldn't tell. Honda was interesting in that they tried variations of their nose rabbit ears. On the first day they cut out large sections from the middle of each ear, then the next day they reverted back to solid ears, but put endplates on them.

I'm hoping for rain! Chances are, it won't, but still, it did last year.

It's been bad weather this weekend, and although rain would be great for the race (no traction control, anyone?) it would pretty much detroy all the social stuff around it.

I was down on the port last night and the teams are indeed there, unloading and preparing the pits...:p

Cool. I keep forgetting your down there at Monaco Breakfan.
Same here. Rain dammit, rain. It will be so awsome. But one thing is for sure, and thats first corner carnage. Cars switch places like mad of the start now, and into that first corner around monaco. Its just bound to go wrong

BMW mentioned a while back that their best chances of winning this year would be at Monaco or Hungary. I'm expecting them to definitely try and get Kubica on pole and Heidfeld close behind. If they want to win this year, this is the track to do so.

As for the rest of the field, I have a feeling McLaren will be the team to beat. I know the Ferraris are fast, but there is something about the McLarens on slower, twisty tracks that make them seem faster.

I'll go with the following results:

1st: Kubica
2nd: Hamilton
3rd: Raikkonen
4th: Kovalainen
5th: Massa
6th: Heidfeld
7th: Alonso
8th: Webber

Was just watching the news, latest weather previsions: RAIN. At least for thursday and friday- - weekend probably not.

I kid you not.

Just think what it would do to the "team strategies" if on saturday,
all the qualifying is done for dry conditions, and then wake up on
sunday morning with rain, and forecast calls for rain ending later on
in the afternoon.

Here are my results:

1. Raikkonen
2. Hamilton
3. Massa
4. Alonso
5. Kubica
6. Webber
7. Kovalainen
8. Heidfeld

It will be dry and sunny. It never rains. :(

My prediction:

1. Hamilton
2. Raikkonen
3. Kubica
4. Massa
5. Kovy
6. Heidfeld
7. Rosberg
8. Alonso

lol, curse them and their dark dark dark blue! It's seriously almost black!

But anyway, most of the teams just used high downforce wings, or made changes I couldn't tell. Honda was interesting in that they tried variations of their nose rabbit ears. On the first day they cut out large sections from the middle of each ear, then the next day they reverted back to solid ears, but put endplates on them.

I don't get the endplates to be honest. Reading the F1 site technical area, it said the ears were to direct air around the car, towards the side pods, instead of up and over. Sooo, putting endplates on it could lead to direction being much more straight forward ? Again however, that might work in Monaco, where you want more air at the back, pushing down.

I don't get the endplates to be honest. Reading the F1 site technical area, it said the ears were to direct air around the car, towards the side pods, instead of up and over. Sooo, putting endplates on it could lead to direction being much more straight forward ? Again however, that might work in Monaco, where you want more air at the back, pushing down.

It think the rabbit ears were more for directing air horizontally rather than around, but as for reasons for putting on endplates, I'm not sure. It might be a case of the team ensuring that the air off the ears is more straight than otherwise due to the greater directional changes at Monaco.

In Monaco, it's all about the acceleration and tight cornering. So whoever has a shorter wheelbase car has an advantage. Plus it's doesn't have a really long straight, speed is not a matter so I'm not surprise if the little teams such as RedBull, Toro Rosso, Force India can perform just as good as the higher end team.

It will be dry and sunny. It never rains. :(

Well, it did last year.

And it's been raining this last weekend...

Quick! breakFan! Get into a light aircraft and seed those clouds! :D

^Update: The sky is still grey.

Trucks are still unloading, all the teams are indeed present. City is getting busier, stands are up, it's all going down soon ladies and gentleman.

^Update: The sky is still grey.

Trucks are still unloading, all the teams are indeed present. City is getting busier, stands are up, it's all going down soon ladies and gentleman.

I'm hoping for a good weekend for Kimi, regardless of weather (although it would be fun to see rain...). Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch it because we're going to our summer house for the weekend to open the house for the summer...
:(

@BreakFan: If you could get some pics of the Ferrari boys, I would be your ETERNAL best friend...
:D

^Update: The sky is still grey.

Trucks are still unloading, all the teams are indeed present. City is getting busier, stands are up, it's all going down soon ladies and gentleman.
Lucky guy!

:smt022

breakfan, have you taken any pics of it all yet? And I take it you are watching the race, right?

My tech teacher is going over there watch it, lucky him lol.

No, no pics (there's not that much happening yet) and chances there won't be any.

I work during the Grand Prix doing a taxying service on boats, and even though I get to watch the race from one of the yachts (cloesest boat to the road at the chicane, after the tunnel), I don't usually have the opportunity to take pictures.

Go Butto...

Oh, never mind. What's the point.

I miss Sato, and I miss winning.

Time to go back to routing on the Realtime Acura team in the WCT series (the Honda team that wins)!

Go Butto...

Oh, never mind. What's the point.

Because the RA108 looks awesome!

Heck, Williams' last win was in 2004, that was almost 4 years ago. Button got heaps of podiums in 04, and since then Williams have had only a handful of podiums (most of which were gifted, I admit), and more crap races that I'd like to remember.

So, quit yer whinin'! The only way for Honda is up as far as I can see.

Because the RA108 looks awesome!

Heck, Williams' last win was in 2004, that was almost 4 years ago. Button got heaps of podiums in 04, and since then Williams have had only a handful of podiums (most of which were gifted, I admit), and more crap races that I'd like to remember.

So, quit yer whinin'! The only way for Honda is up as far as I can see.

Fair enough! Truth to be told, I think JB is a heckuva guy for keeping his hopes up despite the bad luck this year and last, and I do admire the teams unwillingness to give up. If nothing else, Honda getting into F1 again has made me a pseudo-fan of the series (I had never kept up with it at all until their grand return) and it's been interesting to watch all the teams regardless of how much I like or dislike them.

Aside from that, I'm actually sort of hopeful for this race in particular. Monaco doesn't have any huge technical sections--which are the Honda's big achilles heel this season--and they should run well with the new aero upgrades they just put on the car.

And you are right, the RA108 is one of the finer looking cars on the field. That championship white looks good on anything. :D

Go Butto...

Oh, never mind. What's the point.

I miss Sato, and I miss winning.

Time to go back to routing on the Realtime Acura team in the WCT series (the Honda team that wins)!

Well you should watch the BTCC then - the Civics own in that and they look kick arse!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/images/2007/03/21/btcc_mattneal_honda_320x240.jpg

Back to the F1, I'm more excited about Monaco than basically anything else right now. God bless Autocars sport section!

Hehe! I just woke up to the sound of Formula Renaults... !

Formula One cars go out in 1hour and ten minutes :D.

And there's no sign of rain, BTW.

EDIT: Latest weather predictions: rain for the weekend. Right now, the weather is holding up. Starting 10 minutes!

^^ Ah, you're very lucky :p
Practice so far goes;
Kimi, Hammy, Heikki, Massa, Rosberg, Kubica, Alonso, Barrichello, Webber, Fisi, Glock, Button, Bourdais, Heidfeld, Nakajima, Trulli, Sutil, Piquet, Vettel.

On the weather situation;
"Weekend weather update - rain on the cards in Monte Carlo?

Welcome to the sixth round of the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship, the Monaco Grand Prix on the streets of Monte Carlo.

On the weather front there is good news and bad; it will be cloudy again for Thursday’s opening practice sessions, but with an ambient temperature high of 21 rather than the previously forecast 16 degrees Celsius. Likewise, it will be cloudy but warmer, at 20 and 21 degrees respectively, on Saturday and Sunday. On Friday, however, Monaco’s so-called ‘day of rest’, there may be thunderstorms in both morning and afternoon, as the temperature drops between 17 and 19 degrees.

The race runs over 78 laps or 260.520 kilometres (161.887 miles) and will start at 1400 hours local time, which is 1200 hrs GMT."

Second practice:

Hammy: 1:15.140
Rosberg: +.393
Kimi: + .432
Massa: + .729
Kovy: + .741
Kubica: + 1.156

Hammy looking strong here again. Hope he can continue his form into quali and the race!

Oooooooooh yeah!

Rosberg P2!

I know it's only FP2, but I get a chance to go yay!

Just shows how much Practices mean... :p

Just shows how much Practices mean... :p

Quiet you! lol

I really believe Williams have made a jump forward, no matter how small it may be. Hopefully they can keep it up!

Notice that the Monaco GP is really hard when it comes to overtake an opponnent. So if Rosberg keeps this place then he will have a good race and he might take points. It's just an opinion i have.

Been watching the Porsche Supercup and that's quite fun too. There was a nice big crash that spilt petrol all over St. Devote corner so that spiced things up a bit.

I hope I get to see the race!

Just shows how much Practices mean... :p
You watch him grab pole now!!!

Seems like the McLaren is pretty handy around the twisty street circuit. Quali should be interesting, think a few will run very light and go for pole to maximise their points.

Edit: Oooh, 500th post lol

Well I'm personally going to tip Rubens for a top 10 position and some point too.
He was consistently in the top 10 throughtout both pratice seesions, and by that, I mean not just the last minute quick runs.

Also. McLaren are ahead, end off. Lewis will walk away with pole in my opinion. The Mclaren car just looks effortless around Monaco. So certainly a McLaren 1-2.
Also, BMW were fast in practice. That may not seem like much, but they're never fast in practice. So what does that mean. Are they secretly going to go for pole position. Since if anyone else can take pole, I'd bet on Kubica.

Also. Great job from Nico. I was watching the practice session, and he was really pushing hard. But where he'll end up tommorrow is still a mystrey. Lets just hope its a position worthy of his skills.

You watch him grab pole now!!!

Seems like the McLaren is pretty handy around the twisty street circuit. Quali should be interesting, think a few will run very light and go for pole to maximise their points.

Edit: Oooh, 500th post lol
Welcome to the Plus Section. :D



Hopefully, Hammy and Kovi can keep up on quali and show those ferraris whose boss!