16/05/2010
NEWS STORY
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We got through qualifying and even the two GP2 races without any major incidents so hopefully everyone will be paying careful attention this afternoon, especially on the first run to Ste Devote, a corner that has seen many a driver come to grief over the years.
Starting from pole and third - and on the clean side of the track - the Red Bulls would appear to have the advantage, and no doubt Sebastian has already been told to ride shotgun for his Australian teammate at the start, focussing on Kubica first and then Massa.
Yesterday's pole winning lap saw another sublime performance from Mark Webber, who appears to be enjoying a Riccardo Patrese style Indian summer to his career, indeed, the popular Australian is now widely tipped as championship winning material. If he can make full use of his grid place and give a performance even 90 percent of what we witnessed in Barcelona last week, Mark must surely be on the verge of adding another 25 points to his tally.
Kubica will be delighted simply to be starting from the front row, and would surely be delighted to be in second at the end of the race, admitting that a win must be beyond all expectations. However, Monaco is a circuit where anything can, and usually does, happen. Overtaking is notoriously difficult here therefore the right start, the right strategy and perfect a pitstop could swing things in the Pole's favour.
As we said, we expect Sebastian to be riding shotgun this afternoon, however, if the opportunity arises he is certain to take full advantage. Monaco isn't a place to take unnecessary risks therefore the German would be best advised to take what he can this afternoon and concentrate in getting his championship bid back on track in Turkey and beyond.
With his teammate starting from the pitlane, Felipe Massa has an opportunity to make his mark this afternoon. However, despite qualifying fourth, the Brazilian still appears to be lacking something this season, still failing to convince.
Still smarting from his wheel rim failure in Spain, Lewis Hamilton will be keen to make up for it this afternoon, on a circuit he clearly loves and at which he is a proven winner - as are Schumacher, Alonso, Button and Jarno Trulli. However, the restrictions of this track combined with the shortcomings of the MP4-25 suggest that the 2008 champion will be best served focussing on a podium finish as opposed to an outright win.
Nico Rosberg appeared to have recovered following a disappointing outing in Spain, and while the romantic in us would dearly love to see the youngster take his maiden win at this particular track it seems most unlikely. In addition to having to deal with Hamilton ahead of him, the Mercedes driver will be fully aware of the threat posed by his illustrious teammate who still has a point to prove.
Jenson Button has struggled all weekend, and his only real hope this afternoon is a change in the weather of the over exuberance of his rivals. In reality however, it looks as though the reining champion has a long afternoon ahead of him.
Another strong performance sees Rubens Barrichello start from ninth, the Brazilian veteran continuing to confound his critics and embarrass his precocious young teammate. Meanwhile, with an eye on Paul di Resta, who waits patiently at the back of the force India garage, Tonio Liuzzi did well to qualify tenth.
Barring a major incident, the 'big four' should lock out the majority of the points this afternoon, and after Kubica has taken his share it will likely remain for Williams, Force India and Toro Rosso to fight for the scraps.
Lotus continues to be the best of the newbies but need to make serious progress if it is to join battle with Sauber and Toro Rosso, while Virgin will de delighted to get both cars home today as it did in Spain.
On a circuit inexorably linked to his legendary Uncle, Bruno Senna will want merely to get to the chequered flag without incident, as will his teammate, both of whom continue to impress in terms of sheer spirit and enthusiasm in spite of the obvious frustration.
As the first drivers begin to make their way to the grid, conditions are ideal, clear blue sky and bright sunshine.
With fifteen minutes before the race gets underway, Fernando Alonso makes his way down the pitlane and parks in front of the lights, the Spaniard not taking part in yesterday's qualifying session after crashing in free practice and seriously damaging his chassis.
The Spaniard's obvious strategy today will be to get into the points, anything else being a bonus.
As the field prepares to head off on the warm up lap, the air temperature is 22 degrees C, while the track temperature is 40 degrees. Even though the Principality enjoys its own micro-climate, rain is not expected this afternoon.
They head off on the warm up lap, everyone getting away except for Alonso who waits patiently in the pitlane on a brand new set of super-soft (option) tyres.
Great starts from Webber and Vettel, with Kubica dropping to third ahead of Massa. All get through Ste Devote without any problems. A great start also from Barrichello who is sixth through Casino Square.
The Safety Car is deployed as Hulkenberg crashes heavily in the tunnel. Meanwhile, Alonso pits for a set of medium (prime) tyres. Replay of Hulkenberg's accident doesn't really tell us anything other than that the German ran into the outside wall halfway through the tunnel.
At the end of lap 1, behind the Safety Car, it's: Webber, Vettel, Kubica, Massa, Hamilton, Barrichello, Schumacher, Rosberg, Liuzzi and Sutil.
It's all over for Button on lap 3, the McLaren stopping just after Ste Devote after what appears to be an engine failure. A dejected Hulkenberg walks back to the pits.
Still behind the Safety Car, Webber complains about the amount of debris in the tunnel.
Hamilton asks his crew if his front wing and tyre are OK, they tell him that everything looks fine.
The Safety Car pulls off at the end of lap 6, Webber gets another clear start with teammate Vettel riding shotgun.
Webber posts fastest lap (20.410) as Barrichello falls 1.5s behind Hamilton, the Brazilian clearly holding up the Mercedes duo.
Alonso, having passed the Hispanias, is not finding di Grassi quite so obliging, the Virgin driver refusing to give way.
As Webber posts another fastest lap (19.625), the cameras focus on the battle between di Grassi and Alonso for nineteenth. In his efforts to hold the Ferrari at bay the Virgin driver, who is also battling for position with Trulli, locks up at various corners.
Alonso finally makes a bold move on the Virgin at the Nouvelle Chicane after di Grassi made a mistake in the tunnel. Out front, Webber leads Vettel by 2.1s while Barrichello is now 3.2s down on Hamilton.
Next time around, Alonso makes a similar move on Trulli, passing the Lotus to take eighteenth. "Well done, well done," the Spaniard is told, "we're looking good on this strategy".
As Webber posts another fastest lap (17.979), Alonso is all over Glock who is 1.6s down on Kovalainen. Vettel is now 4.8s down on the race leader, with Kubica just 1.4s behind.
On lap 15, Alonso makes his move on Glock at the Nouvelle Chicane - where else? - the Spaniard is really on a mission and all fired up.
Webber is in an entirely separate race, the Australian now 6s clear of his teammate and lapping around 0.8s quicker. Barrichello still keeping Schumacher and Rosberg at bay. Elsewhere, Alonso passes Kovalainen, you know where.
At the end of lap 17, Hamilton is the first of the big guns to pit. 5.4s later he's heading down the pitlane, rejoining in fifteenth ahead of his old teammate, Fernando Alonso.
Next time around, the Mercedes crew is in the pitlane but neither driver stops. Hamilton, 1.9s ahead of Alonso, goes quickest in the first sector.
At the end of lap 19, Massa pits, as do Barrichello, Schumacher and Liuzzi. During the stops, Schumacher passes his former Ferrari teammate, Barrichello, rejoining in fourteenth, behind Alonso.
Next time around, Buemi pits, as Rosberg posts a new fastest lap, the Mercedes driver crossing the line at 17.538.
At the end of lap 21, Kubica pits as does teammate Petrov and Alguersuari. The Pole rejoins in fifth, a great stop by the French team.
Vettel pits at the end of lap 22, as does Sutil, the Red Bull driver rejoins in third.
At the end of lap 23, Webber pits, the Australian rejoining still leading, ahead of Rosberg, who has yet to stop. de la Rosa clearly has a problem the Spaniard having spent several minutes in the pits.
Consequently, after 24 laps, Webber leads Rosberg, with Vettel third, ahead of Kubica, Kobayashi, Massa, Hamilton, Alonso, Schumacher and Sutil. Of the leading ten, Rosberg and Kobayashi have yet to stop.
As Kobayashi falls 6s behind Kubica, the drivers behind are clearly very frustrated. Massa eventually makes a brave move on the Japanese driver who subsequently pulls to the side of the track allowing Hamilton, Alonso and Schumacher to pass the Sauber.
Rosberg pits at the end of lap 28, the German rejoining behind his Mercedes teammate who is 1.1s down on Alonso.
di Grassi stops on track, the second of the Virgins to retire this afternoon, while Kovalainen has a long, long pit stop. Replay shows Alguersuari making a pig's ear of Ste Devote and having to take to the escape road.
As Petrov pits again, the Safety Car is deployed after Barrichello crashes at the run up to Casino Square. The replay shows some sort of failure at the left-rear of the car which caused the Brazilian to lose control. A rotten day for the Grove outfit.
The Barrichello incident comes just after Webber had posted a new fastest alp (17.372), the Australian now having to do it all over again once the Safety Car pulls off.
At the end of lap 33, the Safety Car duly pulls off, and once again Webber holds on to his lead.
Replay shows Barrichello throwing his steering wheel out of his car after his accident and another car running over it. The Brazilian should be heavily penalised for that.
Vettel has been given two bites of the cheery this afternoon but Webber still leads and has already pulled out 2.2s over his Red Bull teammate. Kubica is third, 1.4s behind the German and 1.2s ahead of Massa. Hamilton remains fourth, ahead of Alonso, Schumacher, Rosberg, Sutil and Liuzzi.
Told to watch his brakes, Lewis is none too happy. "We're only halfway through the race, what do you want me to do, race of look after the car?" Good point.
On lap 39, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (17.330) as he maintains a 2.3s gap to the leader. Both Hispanias still running and ahead of Jarno Trulli.
Next time around it is Kubica who goes quickest, the Pole posting 17.036 as he closes to within 1s of Vettel. Game on!
Webber responds to his rivals, the Australian posting a 16.828 on lap 41, the first driver to dip into the 1:16s. In tenth, Liuzzi has the two Toro Rossos running right behind.
At the end of lap 43 the Safety Car is deployed for the third time. As we check the field to see who has crashed, or at least spun, it is revealed that a drain cover is loose at Turn 3 (Massenet). However, after a quick check it is decided to let the race resume.
A big lock-up for Kubica at the re-start, as Massa and Hamilton close in.
On lap 47, Massa makes a mistake at Nouvelle Chicane which sees him cut the corner. He's allowed to do this once, next time there will be a penalty. The Brazilian's error gives Kubica some welcome breathing space.
On lap 49, Webber posts a new fastest lap (16.505), as he (once again) builds a 3.1s cushion.
As Webber posts another fastest lap (16.310), Massa is told that his tyre degradation is zero. The Brazilian responds by going quickest in the first sector of his next lap.
Webber really is at one with his car this afternoon, the Australian posting yet another fastest lap, the Red Bull driver crossing the line at 15.999.
With 20 laps remaining, it's: Webber, Vettel, Kubica, Massa, Hamilton, Alonso, Schumacher, Rosberg, Sutil, Liuzzi, Buemi, Alguersuari, Petrov, Kovalainen, Senna, Chandhok and Trulli.
At the end of lap 61, Senna and Kovalainen both pit. It's another long stop for the Finn while Senna's race appears to be over.
Vettel loses time in traffic which allows Webber to pull further away and Kubica to close in. Indeed, Webber posts yet another fastest lap (15.796).
With 14 laps remaining, Webber - who now has a 6.6s lead - is told to start looking after the car, paying special attention to the brakes.
As Webber eases off, albeit just a little, Vettel, Kubica and Massa all dip into the 1:15s
At the end of lap 71, Vettel posts a new fastest lap (15.192) as he ups the pressure on his teammate while extending the gap over Kubica to 2s.
Chandhok and Trulli collide at Rascasse on lap 75, the Italian going over the top of the Hispania. Other than the fact that the Indian driver is totally unscathed, what is also amazing is that Webber - who was running right behind the warring duo - was not involved and safely made his way past the carnage.
The Safety Car is deployed for the fourth time as Petrov makes his third pitstop of the afternoon. Mixed fortunes for Renault today, for as the Russian climbs from his car teammate Kubica looks set to take a fine third place.
The Safety Car remains on track for the final lap, a somewhat disappointing and anti-climatic end to a great performance from Webber. That said, the Safety Car pulls off into the pits at the end of lap 78 leaving Webber to lead the field through Rascasse and up to the flag. While Vettel holds off Kubica, Schumacher makes a late, highly opportunistic move on Alonso and takes fifth at the death. However, hardly have the drivers climbed out of their cars before the Race Stewards - led by old for Damon Hill - are investigating.
Webber wins the 2010 Monaco GP, ahead of Vettel, Kubica, Massa, Hamilton, Schumacher, Alonso, Rosberg, Sutil, Liuzzi, Buemi and Alguersuari.
Another superb win for Webber and his team, which puts the Australian joint leader in the Drivers' Championship along with his Red Bull teammate. Only a couple of months ago there was talk of Webber retiring at season end, now there is every chance that he'll be back and quite possibly defending the title.
A strong performance from Vettel also, who will be keen to kick-start his title bid in Istanbul. The German has been excellent thus far this year, but over the course of the last week or so he has been overshadowed by a teammate who is clearly at the top of his game.
Robert Kubica can hold his head high as he leaves the Principality, the Pole having been consistent throughout the weekend. No disrespect intended towards Renault, but one has to wonder what the youngster could do with a winning car beneath him. Given the circumstances, this has been an epic weekend for the Pole.
Felipe Massa did all he needed to know, and surely the Brazilian will have allowed himself a wry smile when Schumacher overtook his teammate. The 2008 runner-up now has to hope that as F1 heads to the more open circuits his team can make some progress and close the gap to Red Bull.
A quiet afternoon for Lewis Hamilton but at least he went the distance without any major problems and thereby added another handfuls of points to his tally.
Whether Schumacher is awarded sixth place remains to be seen, however, it was a typically opportunist move which caught Alonso totally off guard. Stefan Domenicali's subsequent claim that the Spaniard had been told not to race after the Safety Car had pulled off somewhat contradicted by the fact the driver got totally out of shape as he tried to keep his German rival at bay.
Like Hamilton, Nico Rosberg had a quiet afternoon, the German finishing behind his teammate for the second successive race. That said, we're sure Mercedes will be working overtime in the two weeks before Turkey, ensuring that Nico is able to rediscover the form that previously had him second in the championship.
With both cars finishing in the points there is sure to be a party on Vijay Mallya's yacht tonight, the Force India's finally discovering some form on a high downforce track. The Silverstone outfit continues to make the sort of progress that should embarrass some of its rivals.
While the Stewards investigate Schumacher's move on Alonso it is to be hoped that Barrichello will receive some sort of punishment for his tantrum with the steering wheel. On the other hand, let's be thankful that despite a number of significant accidents there no injuries.
An incident filled race, which, despite four Safety Car periods, failed to take away from a remarkable performance by the race winner. A truly superb driver from Mr Webber.