Following on from the win for Fernando Alonso and Ferrari in Spain, is there anyone willing to hazard a guess for the winner at Monaco this weekend? With the limitation in passing opportunities round the Monegasque houses, pole position becomes very important. The most critical part of this Grand Prix will then happen on the Saturday. And that’s qualifying. He who is on pole, has a greater than 75 percent chance of winning. So who will be on P1?
Mercedes has built cars that are very fast over one lap (Qualifying), resulting in two pole positions, but their cars cannot keep up the pace and fall back, as could be seen in Spain, with Rosberg ending down in 6th and Hamilton 12th. I predict a lot of cars tripping over Mercedes by one third through the race!
Tight squeeze in Monaco.
However, Monaco is the Grand Prix to be seen at this weekend (as opposed to a Grand Prix to see motor racing at). It is not the GP to go to, unless watching B List ‘super-stars’ is your idea of fun. This may, of course just be jealousy on my part, not even making the D List… The harbor will be bollard to bollard expensive yachts and the villa car parks will have all the Lambo’s, Ferrari’s, Bentleys and Maserati’s you would ever wish for. If you go for the atmosphere, then this is the GP for you. If you go for GP racing, forget it and go to Spa. Monaco has been processional for the past decade.
I will be watching the dedicated F1 channel, with no adverts, during the race, from my perch in front of the big screen at Jameson’s Irish Pub, Soi AR, going there at 6 p.m. for a meal and a beer before the race at 7 p.m. Why don’t you join me?
Qualifying is at 7 p.m. on the Saturday 25 May, with the race at 7 p.m. on Sunday 26.
