Monaco F1 Thread
05-21-2008, 05:28 PM
#1
Ironman 140.6
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Monaco F1 Thread
Wayne seems to be absent.......
Fernando Alonso says the memory of past Monaco shocks makes him optimistic that Renault can spring a surprise on the streets this weekend.
The former champion has won the last two Monte Carlo races, but wasn't expecting to get near the podium in normal circumstances this time as Renault currently trails Ferrari, McLaren and BMW.
However, Alonso reminded reporters in Monaco today that Renault had been in a similar position in 2004, yet came away victorious.
As Ferrari dominated that season, Alonso and his then-team-mate Jarno Trulli had invariably been on the fringe of the top six, but in Monte Carlo they ran one-two until Alonso crashed while lapping Ralf Schumacher, while Trulli hung on to win.
"Obviously we have some confidence that this track and this race will be good for us and a little opportunity to fight with the top teams," Alonso was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"In 2004, the Renault was not in a position to win races or to fight for podiums and we arrived in Monaco and Trulli won the race and I crashed in the tunnel when I was second.
"If I hadn't, it would have been a one-two in Monte Carlo so hopefully we can repeat this type of thing."
He admitted that Renault would have to rely on unusual circumstances to ****** another Monaco win.
"Seeing how we are this year, and how we are not at a good level to fight for victories, we cannot arrive here too optimistic," Alonso said.
"But strange things can happen, Monaco is a completely different race and you only win when you finish the race.
"We always have some surprises in Monaco, some cars that perform better here than (at) the normal tracks."
He expects his former team McLaren to retain the advantage it showed over Ferrari in Monaco in 2007, when Alonso and Lewis Hamilton proved utterly dominant.
"Regarding how the McLaren performed here last year, I think they are clearly the favourites for this year," said the Spaniard.
Fernando Alonso says the memory of past Monaco shocks makes him optimistic that Renault can spring a surprise on the streets this weekend.
The former champion has won the last two Monte Carlo races, but wasn't expecting to get near the podium in normal circumstances this time as Renault currently trails Ferrari, McLaren and BMW.
However, Alonso reminded reporters in Monaco today that Renault had been in a similar position in 2004, yet came away victorious.
As Ferrari dominated that season, Alonso and his then-team-mate Jarno Trulli had invariably been on the fringe of the top six, but in Monte Carlo they ran one-two until Alonso crashed while lapping Ralf Schumacher, while Trulli hung on to win.
"Obviously we have some confidence that this track and this race will be good for us and a little opportunity to fight with the top teams," Alonso was quoted as saying by Reuters.
"In 2004, the Renault was not in a position to win races or to fight for podiums and we arrived in Monaco and Trulli won the race and I crashed in the tunnel when I was second.
"If I hadn't, it would have been a one-two in Monte Carlo so hopefully we can repeat this type of thing."
He admitted that Renault would have to rely on unusual circumstances to ****** another Monaco win.
"Seeing how we are this year, and how we are not at a good level to fight for victories, we cannot arrive here too optimistic," Alonso said.
"But strange things can happen, Monaco is a completely different race and you only win when you finish the race.
"We always have some surprises in Monaco, some cars that perform better here than (at) the normal tracks."
He expects his former team McLaren to retain the advantage it showed over Ferrari in Monaco in 2007, when Alonso and Lewis Hamilton proved utterly dominant.
"Regarding how the McLaren performed here last year, I think they are clearly the favourites for this year," said the Spaniard.
05-21-2008, 05:30 PM
#2
Ironman 140.6
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Bernie Ecclestone says he has no intention of getting into a 'war' with FIA president Max Mosley over control of Formula 1 – but that he will fight his corner if necessary.
With the crucial meeting at which Mosley's future will be decided now less than a fortnight away, Mosley has sent a letter to the FIA member clubs in which he suggests that the governing body is currently at loggerheads with Ecclestone's organisation over the control of F1.
He warns that removing him from office would result in the FIA losing this battle.
Although the FIA is responsible for the F1 regulations and officiating, Ecclestone and CVC Capital Partners hold the commercial rights to the sport.
"The CRH [commercial rights holder] has also now asked for control over the F1 regulations and the right to sell the business to anyone – in effect to take over F1 completely," Mosley wrote.
"I do not believe the FIA should agree to this.
"To do so would be to abandon core elements of the FIA's patrimony including, for example, our ability to protect the traditional grands prix.
"We would also be weaker financially but, even more importantly, we would put at risk the viability of the FIA as the regulatory authority of international motorsport and lose a valuable communication platform for the wider interests of the organisation."
Ecclestone denies that such a battle is taking place, but has warned Mosley that he will stand his ground in the event of a conflict.
"I sincerely hope that it isn't a declaration of war because, if that's what the message should be, then we'll have to defend ourselves,” Ecclestone told the Times newspaper.
“That is what anyone would do.
"I don't believe that's what Max wanted the letter to say.
"I don't want to have a war with Max.
"I hope he doesn't want one with me.”
Mosley also intimated that the furore over the News of the World's allegations about his sexual practices was linked to this wider political battle.
"I have been determined to fight for the rights and role of the FIA in F1 and it is possibly for this reason that the media have been encouraged by those who have an interest in undermining my presidency," he wrote.
"I believe, therefore, that whatever the Extraordinary General Assembly decides, it should not reward those who have deliberately set out to destabilise the FIA at such a crucial time in its history."
But Ecclestone rejected this suggestion and insisted the only issue at stake was Mosley's personal suitability for the presidency in the wake of the scandal.
“This whole business is really about what was printed in the News of the World and whether this in any way damaged the FIA clubs or the FIA – that's all,” he said.
“It's nothing to do with anything else and I don't quite know why he's come out and said these things.
"I am sorry if the press have reported things which he doesn't like, but we certainly don't have any influence over the FIA.
“I think the General Assembly of the FIA was called for one reason only: to decide whether or not they think Max is the right person to be their president."
The meeting – which will table a vote of confidence in Mosley – takes place in Paris on 3 June.
The FIA has published the full transcript of Mosley's letter on its website; click here to read it.
With the crucial meeting at which Mosley's future will be decided now less than a fortnight away, Mosley has sent a letter to the FIA member clubs in which he suggests that the governing body is currently at loggerheads with Ecclestone's organisation over the control of F1.
He warns that removing him from office would result in the FIA losing this battle.
Although the FIA is responsible for the F1 regulations and officiating, Ecclestone and CVC Capital Partners hold the commercial rights to the sport.
"The CRH [commercial rights holder] has also now asked for control over the F1 regulations and the right to sell the business to anyone – in effect to take over F1 completely," Mosley wrote.
"I do not believe the FIA should agree to this.
"To do so would be to abandon core elements of the FIA's patrimony including, for example, our ability to protect the traditional grands prix.
"We would also be weaker financially but, even more importantly, we would put at risk the viability of the FIA as the regulatory authority of international motorsport and lose a valuable communication platform for the wider interests of the organisation."
Ecclestone denies that such a battle is taking place, but has warned Mosley that he will stand his ground in the event of a conflict.
"I sincerely hope that it isn't a declaration of war because, if that's what the message should be, then we'll have to defend ourselves,” Ecclestone told the Times newspaper.
“That is what anyone would do.
"I don't believe that's what Max wanted the letter to say.
"I don't want to have a war with Max.
"I hope he doesn't want one with me.”
Mosley also intimated that the furore over the News of the World's allegations about his sexual practices was linked to this wider political battle.
"I have been determined to fight for the rights and role of the FIA in F1 and it is possibly for this reason that the media have been encouraged by those who have an interest in undermining my presidency," he wrote.
"I believe, therefore, that whatever the Extraordinary General Assembly decides, it should not reward those who have deliberately set out to destabilise the FIA at such a crucial time in its history."
But Ecclestone rejected this suggestion and insisted the only issue at stake was Mosley's personal suitability for the presidency in the wake of the scandal.
“This whole business is really about what was printed in the News of the World and whether this in any way damaged the FIA clubs or the FIA – that's all,” he said.
“It's nothing to do with anything else and I don't quite know why he's come out and said these things.
"I am sorry if the press have reported things which he doesn't like, but we certainly don't have any influence over the FIA.
“I think the General Assembly of the FIA was called for one reason only: to decide whether or not they think Max is the right person to be their president."
The meeting – which will table a vote of confidence in Mosley – takes place in Paris on 3 June.
The FIA has published the full transcript of Mosley's letter on its website; click here to read it.
05-21-2008, 05:34 PM
#3
Ironman 140.6
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From ITV.com
Lewis Hamilton says a Monaco Grand Prix victory would be one of the highlights of his career, and that he is determined to achieve it this weekend.
The McLaren star has an enviable record around the legendary street circuit - having been unbeatable there in his junior career, and finishing a close second to his then-team-mate Fernando Alonso in his first Formula 1 appearance at the track in 2007.
"It would be a dream for me to win here," Lewis told reporters in the Monaco paddock.
"I am pushing very hard to make sure we do it this weekend."
He admitted he had to remember that he was in a close title fight at present and that every point counted, rather than planning a 'win or bust' charge in Monaco.
"You have to score points, that's the key," Hamilton said.
"As a team we want to score as many points as possible.
"But for me, I want to win the race."
Hamilton's second place - behind Felipe Massa but ahead of his main title rival Kimi Raikkonen - brought him back into title contention just as Ferrari looked to be edging away.
A Monaco victory would be another boost to his championship hopes, but Lewis denied this was a make-or-break weekend.
"I don't see it as vital for the title challenge that we win, but for sure it would help," he said.
Last year he inadvertently triggered an investigation into whether McLaren had employed illegal team orders in Monaco, after expressing his disappointment that his strategy had been adjusted during the race.
The team insisted it was just trying to cover the possibility of a safety car emerging, and Hamilton said that in hindsight he fully understood that decision.
"At the time I wanted to win because it is one of the most special races there is," he said.
"Looking back, I don't have any regrets, and the team did the right thing."
Lewis Hamilton says a Monaco Grand Prix victory would be one of the highlights of his career, and that he is determined to achieve it this weekend.
The McLaren star has an enviable record around the legendary street circuit - having been unbeatable there in his junior career, and finishing a close second to his then-team-mate Fernando Alonso in his first Formula 1 appearance at the track in 2007.
"It would be a dream for me to win here," Lewis told reporters in the Monaco paddock.
"I am pushing very hard to make sure we do it this weekend."
He admitted he had to remember that he was in a close title fight at present and that every point counted, rather than planning a 'win or bust' charge in Monaco.
"You have to score points, that's the key," Hamilton said.
"As a team we want to score as many points as possible.
"But for me, I want to win the race."
Hamilton's second place - behind Felipe Massa but ahead of his main title rival Kimi Raikkonen - brought him back into title contention just as Ferrari looked to be edging away.
A Monaco victory would be another boost to his championship hopes, but Lewis denied this was a make-or-break weekend.
"I don't see it as vital for the title challenge that we win, but for sure it would help," he said.
Last year he inadvertently triggered an investigation into whether McLaren had employed illegal team orders in Monaco, after expressing his disappointment that his strategy had been adjusted during the race.
The team insisted it was just trying to cover the possibility of a safety car emerging, and Hamilton said that in hindsight he fully understood that decision.
"At the time I wanted to win because it is one of the most special races there is," he said.
"Looking back, I don't have any regrets, and the team did the right thing."
05-21-2008, 05:41 PM
#4
Ironman 140.6
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Weather forecast
Monaco Forecast....
Is rain in the cards......
Friday - 70 deg, 20% chance of rain
Saturday 67 deg, 60% chance of rain
Sunday 66 deg, 60% chance of rain
Is rain in the cards......
Friday - 70 deg, 20% chance of rain
Saturday 67 deg, 60% chance of rain
Sunday 66 deg, 60% chance of rain
05-21-2008, 06:43 PM
#6
Nordschleife Master
05-21-2008, 07:30 PM
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Just a reminder that practice is tomorrow morning (Thursday) and not Friday due to the wacky Monaco schedule.
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05-21-2008, 08:19 PM
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So many Amigos in one thread at the same time....and no sign of Sir A. Wayne.....if Rennlist had a grassy knoll, I'm pretty sure he'd be there......watching, waiting.
Please Sir A. Wayne, step back away from the edge....it's OK that Alonso sucks.....really......we still love you (although I can't speak for VR)
Please Sir A. Wayne, step back away from the edge....it's OK that Alonso sucks.....really......we still love you (although I can't speak for VR)
05-21-2008, 09:36 PM
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So many Amigos in one thread at the same time....and no sign of Sir A. Wayne.....if Rennlist had a grassy knoll, I'm pretty sure he'd be there......watching, waiting.
Please Sir A. Wayne, step back away from the edge....it's OK that Alonso sucks.....really......we still love you (although I can't speak for VR)
Please Sir A. Wayne, step back away from the edge....it's OK that Alonso sucks.....really......we still love you (although I can't speak for VR)
Seems kind of quiet without him.
4 pages max. -- Unless Alonso's's shaking hands with the prince after Sunday...
05-22-2008, 06:13 AM
#11
Three Wheelin'
I hope to have some good Saturday/Sunday pics to post this weekend. I brought the 500mm lense this year.
Sitting in the Port this year instead of Casino. Was really hoping for warmer sunny weather so we had other things to view when the cars weren't running.
Sitting in the Port this year instead of Casino. Was really hoping for warmer sunny weather so we had other things to view when the cars weren't running.
05-22-2008, 07:13 AM
#12
Race Car
05-22-2008, 08:03 AM
#14
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If Feminine Alonso wins, the next thing you'll know Sir A. Wayne will be explaining the math whereby she can clinch this year's WDC and Renault clinches the Constructor's championship.
Actually, I sort of miss those days.