Formula 1 can be rightfully described as the pinnacle of motor sport: the best drivers driving the best cars at the best race tracks in the world.
As is the case with drivers and cars that stand out: the Fangios; the Sennas and of course the Ferraris and McLarens. There are race tracks that evoke passion in Formula 1 and in Motorsport in general: Spa in Belgium; Monza in Italy; Hockenheim – Germany; Indianapolis and Daytona in the USA and Bathurst in Australia, for example. These are all special race tracks. But none of these makes the heart beat quite as fast or stir the passion for motor racing as the Monaco Grand Prix.
Think Monaco, think of Ayrton Senna and his victories ( 87- 89- 90 – 91 – 92 and 93) as well as his uncharacteristic failure in 1988. The battle with Nigel Mansell in 1992 stands out for me: Nigel Mansell, having the superior Williams, had to pit and came out behind Senna’s McLaren. Try as he might Mansell could not get past Senna. The battled raged for the remainder of the race until Senna took the chequered flag, the two drivers embracing at the end in sheer admiration of each other’s skill.
Think Jenson Button’s win in the Brawn where he screamed the now famous line “Monaco Baby Yeah” and then parked his car in the wrong place. I’ll never forget him running back towards the Prince’s box for the podium celebrations in his full race suit and helmet.
Just what makes this tiny principality provide so many memorable races in a track where it is nigh on impossible to overtake? Surely it just an expensive procession of very expensive race cars? Or is it the beautiful surroundings of Monte Carlo, the hills in the background, the sun sparkling on the waters of the Mediterranean? The sound that echoes around the principality? The tunnel, Where the sound is amplified and camera shots of light into darkness and back to light again thrill the armchair fan? This is one of the hardest things to explain to a non-F1 fan, some of whom wouldn’t agree anyway.
For me it’s the greatest test of a drivers ability. The F1 pilot can really make the difference here. Graham hill won at Monaco five times, earning him the nickname “Mr Monaco”. Only bettered by the late great Ayrton Senna’s Six wins, his balls-out attitude can pay dividends in qualifying, or backfire horrendously as a crash could leave you at the back of the grid with little chance of improving on race day.
Once you have that front row seat on the grid your job is all but done, a good getaway and slick pit stops is all that is needed to win from pole, barring human error:a crash could shuffle the pack nicely, throw in a safety car perhaps? Or maybe the daddy of all joker cards…
Rain! This once parade-like race can be turned on its head with a sprinkle of water. Water running like rivers across the track – the odd painted line becomes a hazard in its own right. Cars slipping and sliding into barriers, safety cars in and out of the pits, stops for wet tyres then again for intermediate or drys. Ooh the possibilities!
Once the the race is over the top three cars stop by the Prince’s box where he hands out the winners trophy and tries to duck out of the way before the champagne shower begins.
Monaco: glamorous; sunshine; beautiful people; where the rich and famous play hard and fast. It’s truly the jewel in the crown. For those of us lucky enough to have coverage of Free Practice sessions it’s worth remembering Free Practice one and two is on Thursday in Monaco. You have been warned.
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