Grand Prix de Monaco 2005

[Blake]

This year marks the 52nd running of this prestigeous Grand Prix. This race has the most laps of any GP (78), yet it still manages to be the shortest GP at 260 kms total.

After Kimi showed blistering pace on the way to an easy victory at Spain the championship has somewhat changed, no longer is the impression that Alonso's main challenge will come from a red car, rather a black and silver one.

Michael is pretty much out of the game, and this race will be make or break for the scarlet clad Ferrari outfit.

BAR will once again not be competing ().

The Williams car may be better suited to the slow Monaco GP, where aerodynamic drag is not such an issue.

A friend came up with a very interesting theory which I thought you might all like to read:

1992 - Michael Schumacher wins his 1st race
2003 - Fernando Alonso wins his 1st race
1993 - Michael Schumacher finishes 4th in the championship
2004 - Fernando Alonso finishes 4th in the championship
1994 - Michael schumacher win the championship despite everyone expecting the established master (Senna) to do so
2005 - ...

Blake

 

[[FPV]Rusty]

interesting theory. well on its way to fruition

Williams need a good performance from both drivers, this is the best chance they have of getting alot of points and maknig ground on the other teams

prediction-
1.Fisi <-gut feeling
2.M.Schumacher <-Monaco takes skill, and you dont need hte best car to win
3.Heidfeld
4.Raikonnen
5.Alonso
6.Webber <-Although I've predicted this, ive had a thought, if he can qualify as well as he has a few times and actaully get a reasonable start, he maybe able to hold position better in the race than usual, considering the diffuculty of passing on Monaco, but i'd put money on Webber losing spots in the pits.

 

[Blake]

Yeah, your prediction for Webber is pretty good, however, if he gets a good grid position I don't think he can hold it unless he fuels late.

I think Kimi will win.

Blake

 

[snypa]

Monaco is the most unpredictable race, so I won't risk myself to make some prediction.
But we can state that :
- a good qualyfing lap is the key on this track. That's why I'm afraid Ferrari will struggle, because of their actual tires problems, and their positions for the first qualyfing lap (Michael should start 4th or 5th I guess).
- Lots of classic parameters don't count as much as in other races : aerodynamic abilities or power aren't that important, on the other side, mechanical grip and chassis agility are the keys.
- the driver can have a great imput on the result. Some of them love Monaco, others hate it
- Usually a few cars at the end of the race, due to crashes, failures (gear box).

I really think that everything can happen there.

 

[Blake]

Many drivers score points here if they keep out of trouble, that is key in this race, staying out of the wall.

Blake

 

[Mclaren_Man]

Well renault have really good traction out of the slower corners (mechanical grip) so i wouldn't write them off at all. Mclarens grip is more aero but i still expect them to be strong contenders. Schumachers bad result in Spain will come back and bite him on the a** in quali.

My prediction:
19. C.Albers
20.P.Freisacher

 

[Solid Lifters]

Last year's Monaco was one of the more memorable races of the season. Too bad it wasn't for fantastic racing. But then again, that's Monaco for you. Shumi crashed on the SC lap when he brake checked Montoya causing Montoya to crash into him, which he then crashed into the wall. How about Bar's engine blowing up and Sato causing a three car pile up? Good times.

I say the Renault's will place first and second. I think Fisi and Alonso will really make this a fantastic race for Renault. Remember who won last year at Monaco? The Renaults and their traction from the start and low speeds I feel will dominate.

 

[Blake]

Thursday practice 1
1. J. Montoya - 1:17.152
2. F. Alonso - 1:17.301
3. C. Klien - 1:17.511
4. M. Schumacher - 1:17.640
5. G. Fisichella - 1:17.869
6. A. Wurz - 1:18.059
7. M. Webber - 1:18.244
8. R. Schumacher - 1:18.482
9. D. Coulthard - 1:18.669
10. R. Barrichello - 1:18.838
11. N. Heidfeld - 1:18.859
12. K. Räikkönen - 1:19.055
13. J. Trulli - 1:19.255
14. J. Villeneuve - 1:19.755
15. V. Liuzzi - 1:19.844
16. F. Massa - 1:20.180
17. R. Zonta - 1:20.979
18. R. Doornbos - 1:21.511
19. P. Friesacher - 1:21.968
20. T. Monteiro - 1:22.388
21. N. Karthikeyan - 1:23.521
22. C. Albers - 1:25.664

Blake

 

[Ev0]

Wow, great time from Klien there! But of course, this is practice, and therefore means nothing in the end.

But, I'm predicting a victory for Alonso. This is the track that requires the most driver skill, and right now Alonso is arguably the best driver in F1. I can only see Kimi and Michael giving him a good challenge for the race. But of course, as has been said before, this is Monaco; anything can happen.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Well, I guess I don't need to stay up anymore to watch it. The Speed Channel was too damn busy showing infommercials to air the practice session live. But they did plan to show it at 5:00AM. Now, instead of watching it, I'll go take a nap for three hours. Ah, sleep! That's where I'm a Viking! 👍

 

[Omnis]

goooooooooo albers! hahahaha.

i want to see trulli get some revenge this weekend. however, i feel alonso or kimi have strong chances.

 

[Blake]

Thursday practice 2
1. F. Alonso - 1:15.835
2. A. Wurz - 1:15.912
3. D. Coulthard - 1:16.184
4. G. Fischella - 1:16.519
5. J. Montoya - 1:16.534
6. K. Raikkonen - 1:16.558
7. V. Luizzi - 1:16.540
8. F. Massa - 1:16.914
9. R. Schumacher - 1:16.917
10. R. Zonta - 1:17.046
11. M. Schumacher - 1:17.170
12. M. Webber - 1:17.442
13. J. Trulli - 1:17.487
14. J. Villeneuve - 1:17.506
15. R. Barrichello - 1:17.633
16. N. Heidfeld - 1:17.667
17. C. Klien - 1:18.815
18. R. Doornbos - 1:19.526
19. P. Friesacher - 1:19.587
20. T. Monteiro - 1:20.284
21. N. Karthikeyan - 1:21.879
22. C. Albers - 1:22.162

Blake

 

[[FPV]Rusty]

Interesting to see Red Bull post strong tiems in both sessions, Klien in one, Coulthard in two

 

[ExigeEvan]

Don't Renault normally do well around Monaco?

Weird how schumcher dropped 7 positions in different practice sessions.

 

[Beelzebub]

can schuey match senna's wins?

 

[Blake]

Well Schuey still went faster in the 2nd session than he did in the first, but the times were much faster overall in the 2nd session. And yes Beelzebub If Michael wins this weekend he matches Senna for Monaco wins.

Blake

 

[livemusic]

Good time for Massa and Zonta there. 👍

 

[kensei]

Short and sweet here...my prediction (I've been pretty good so far this season too)

Alonso
Kimi
JPM
DC
Fisi
Trulli
MS

 

[Blake]

Damn Monaco, it's strange having a day between practice and qualifying where nothing happens....tick, tock....

Blake

 

[Mclaren_Man]

No surprises there with the renaults, I reckon by the time rubber is layed down and if it stays nice and sunny, 1st quali times might get down into the low 1.14's maybe even 13's. Renault's traction is just too good either of them has a good chance of winning, maybe even a one-two.

 

[snypa]

Once again Ralf is lucky.....see under

Ralf Schumacher received a 0,5 second penalty after using an unmarked tyre during Thursday's free practice session, announced the FIA.

The Toyota driver's 0,5 sec. penalty will be added to his qualifying performance for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

Michelin immediately admitted making two "regrettable" mistakes. The first one was the lack of marking on the left front tyre during the moulding process at the factory and the second mistake was made by a Michelin technician, who noticed the problem and asked for the tyre to be removed from Schumacher's car... without advising the FIA of the situation.

The tyre in question - used by Ralf Schumacher on Thursday - had the same compound as the other tyres except that it was not properly marked.

Michelin "accepts the decision of the FIA stewards" and admitted its full responsibility in the incident.

Toyota also accepted the penalty and will not appeal the decision, according to a team's spokesperson.

 

[Anakin]

the red bull racers look sweet, star wars livery

my prediction


Alonso
Kimi
Coulthard

 

[Blake]

Are you kidding? They look like those stupid Star Wars pens from the 80s!

Blake

 

[Omnis]

star wars red bull? jesus H. christ! H is for Holy crap. go red bull! lol.

seriously though...what's the story with this Scott Speed kid? his name is certainly a trip...but obviously he's no alonso. (not now anyway.) if he can help bring more F1 awareness to america, then i'm all for his success.

 

[Blake]

Go McLaren! Montoya again fastest in 1st practice. Looks like a tight battle between McLaren and Renault.

Blake

 

[Blake]

Session 2 - Fisi fastest (1'13.988 ), followed by Alonso.

Session Red Flagged with 30 seconds to go because of a minor collision between JV, DC and RSC.

Blake

 

[Blake]

What a lap by Kimi! 1:13.644, 0.481 up on Alonso!

They can safely put another lap or two of fuel in with that sort of pace.

Ralf crashed into the wall at tabac, red flagged the session for a good 10 minutes, screwed up Trulli's lap.

Blake

 

[Jacks]

What a lap by Kimi! 1:13.644, 0.481 up on Alonso!

They can safely put another lap or two of fuel in with that sort of pace.

Ralf crashed into the wall at tabac, red flagged the session for a good 10 minutes, screwed up Trulli's lap.

Blake

I think Trulli screwed his own lap up to be honest, there wasn't even much sand on the racing line. Plus the track temperature increased by 4 degrees in the red flag period so he should have had even more grip. He was slower than webber even before the sand and concrete powder at tabac. He didn't look comfortable with the car at all.

The lap by kimi was incredible!!, especially watching from the on board camera (I was sure he was going to crash) 👍.

 

[mipuumal]

Go Kimi!

Here's my prediction for the race:

1. Kimi
2. Fisichella
3. Montoya
4. Trulli
5. Webber (still can't break that fifth place curse)
6. Michael Schumacher
7. Jacques Villeneuve
8. David Coulthard

 

[Jacks]

Go Kimi!

Here's my prediction for the race:

1. Kimi
2. Fisichella
3. Montoya
4. Trulli
5. Webber (still can't break that fifth place curse)
6. Michael Schumacher
7. Jacques Villeneuve
8. David Coulthard

I agree with you except Schumacher, Villeneuve and Fisichella

1. Kimi
2. Alonso
3. Montoya (unless he gets penalised for causing the crash in practice)
4. Trulli
5. Webber
6. David Coulthard
7. Fisichella
8. Hiedfeld

The ferrari are looking way too slow this weekend and being monaco there isn't going to be much overtaking. Also the McLarens are very fast but i do think montoya should be penalised for the crash he caused in practice.