Tag: Monaco Grand Prix

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F1 2024 Season

What we learnt from the Monaco Grand Prix

It has always been important to put in a good qualifying session in Monaco. The circuit is one of the hardest on the calendar for overtaking, the chance of gaining positions is slim to none. For the first time in Formula 1 history, the top 10 finished the race where they qualified. This had previously only ever been the top six.

We also saw a new race winner of the season. Charles Leclerc suffered and lost many chances of a home race win, which some people call the ‘Monaco curse’. He was finally able to lift the curse and became the first Monagasque to win a Monaco Grand Prix since the start of the F1 world championship. 

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With a strong finish from both Ferrari drivers (P1 and P3) and McLaren drivers (P2 and P4), Red Bull’s dominance seems to be coming to an end. There are now only 24 points between first and second in the Constructors’ championship. Red Bull should be feeling the pressure. After a challenging win in Imola for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez finishing in P8, to a P6 and DNF in Monaco, the reigning champions have a long fight on their hands to keep their P1 place in the championship.

We have also learnt that after a messy start to the race, Esteban Ocon’s position at Alpine is under threat. After an unnecessary incident between him and teammate, Pierre Gasly, Alpine Team Principal, Bruno Famin has said that there will be consequences for his actions. Ocon is rumoured to be benched for the Canadian Grand Prix, while others suggest his time at Alpine may be coming to an end with his contract being up at the end of the season.

Image Credit: @F1 on Twitter

McLaren paid tribute to the late Ayrton Senna, the driver who holds the most wins in Monaco, with a special livery and colour scheme for their helmets, race suits, and garage.

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The lap one incident involving Perez, Kevin Magnussen, and Nico Hulkenberg highlights that the dangers of the Monaco Circuit still persist to this day.

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We can also say that without the volunteers and marshals at the races, the drivers and sport would not be safe. Despite a long wait, the marshals did an incredible job at making sure Perez, Magnussen, and Hulkenberg were okay. They also recovered the cars, cleared the track, and fixed the barriers.

Written by Chloe.

Featured Image Credit: imengine

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F1 2024 Season

2024 Monaco Grand Prix

Fans woke up on Sunday for the race with Leclerc on pole and the Ferrari of his teammate, Carlos Sainz in P3. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri joined Leclerc on the front row, vying for his first grand prix win at this historic circuit. The second McLaren of Lando Norris and George Russell of Mercedes rounded out the top five.

Lap one saw a great start from Leclerc, with Piastri and Sainz following closely behind. During the battle for second on the opening lap, Sainz pulled to the side of the track following an issue with his car after contact with Piastri in the first corner. He triggered a yellow flag in the first two sectors which was immediately followed by a red flag.

The red flag was due to a large crash between both Haas cars and the Red Bull of Sergio Perez. In this temporary stop in the race, Sainz limped back to the pits having kept his car running. There was also a smaller incident between the two Alpine cars just before the red flag came out, causing Esteban Ocon retired from the race.

Image Credit: RacingNews365

The race resumed again at 15:44 local time, reverting to grid order for the restart. This meant that Sainz began the race again in P3. The restart was clean and uneventful, with Leclerc getting away from Piastri and Sainz.

From the first lap of the restart, Leclerc began to pull away from his competitors. The chase ensued with Piastri on the tail of Leclerc, however for much of the race he was unable to catch the Ferrari.

Battles took place lower in the racing order, including between Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the race for fifth place. As well as this, the RB of Yuki Tsunoda spent the Grand Prix fending off the Williams of Alex Albon as they fought for eighth position.

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After 78 laps, Charles Leclerc drove exceptionally well to win his home race – a very popular win throughout the paddock and principality. Driver of the day was awarded to Leclerc as well, while Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes achieved the fastest lap of the race, gaining an additional championship point for himself.

Written by Alexandra.

Featured Image Credit: RacingNews365

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F1 2024 Season

What to expect from Monaco

Monaco key info 
  • 3.337km long track.
  • Snakes through the harbour of Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco.
  • 2024 will be Monaco’s 81st race.
  • The first F1 Grand Prix was held in 1950.
  • 78 laps around the streets of Monte Carlo.
  • In the 2003 race, there were no overtakes.
Expectations from the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix

It’s safe to say the McLarens have been looking on top form in the most recent races. Lando Norris also achieved P3 in the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. Therefore, papaya fans are looking at a hopeful race. McLaren are also bringing a special livery for Monaco, dedicated to the late Ayrton Senna – King of Monaco – 30 years after his passing.

Image Credit: @EstagiariodaF1 on Twitter

Max Verstappen claimed Monaco is not a track that is well suited to the RB20 due to its twists and turns. This means there will be less expectation for Red Bull dominance from both Verstappen and Sergio Perez. However, Perez is in need of a good race after a few mishaps in previous races, so supporters of the Mexican will hope for the best!

Monaco has always been a special track for Ferrari driver, Charles Leclerc. He will be racing around the streets he walked to school on and flying past his local shop for 78 laps. Unfortunately, his record at Monaco has not been positive, with only one P6 finish out of four race starts around Monte Carlo. Fans of the Monegasque will be hoping that 2024’s race will yield better results for the young driver. 

Previous Monaco Grands Prix

Some of the most memorable Monaco Grand Prix moments are:

  1. Redemption Day → At the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo raced to victory and proved doubters wrong. Following the race, he celebrated with a glamorous belly flop into the famous Red Bull swimming pool.
Image Credit: @ESPNF1 on Twitter
  1. Diamond Gate → In 2004, Christian Klein’s Jaguar was equipped with a $250,000 diamond in partnership with the newly released film ‘Oceans Twelve’. After a first lap crash, the diamonds vanished never to be seen again…
  1. Kimi Raikkonen’s extraordinary exit → The 2006 Monaco Grand Prix saw Raikkonen’s McLaren blow up in smoke. He had a very calm reaction and walked straight to his yacht, harboured just metres from the flame engulfed car. 

Written by Frankie.

Featured Image Credit: @TodayF1History on Twitter

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Flashback Friday

Flashback Friday: Monaco 2003

The Fastest Sector returns with another Flashback Friday. Here’s a brief look back at the 2003 Monaco Grand Prix.

It is the 1st June 2003 at the Circuit de Monaco. F1 is on round seven of the 2003 Formula One Championship.

Going into this weekend, the McLaren of Kimi Raikkonen led the Drivers’ Championship, followed by the Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. Holding second and third place in the Driver Standings, Ferrari was leading the Constructors’ Championship Standings, but by only one point over the McLaren team.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

The drivers competed over 78 laps of the 3.3km street circuit. The race itself therefore was 260.5km long. The race conditions were favourable, with sun and some clouds later on in the race.

After uneventful practice sessions, qualifying took place. Ralf Schumacher in the Williams took pole, with championship leader, Raikkonen following. Schumacher’s teammate, Juan-Pablo Montoya completed the top three. The Ferraris only managed fifth and seventh place this qualifying session.

The Williams of Ralf Schumacher held the lead for the initial 20 laps of the race. The following 10 laps was the pit stop window for many drivers, causing the lead to frequently change. First, Montoya took the lead for two laps, followed by Raikkonen leading for another two laps, then the Renault of Jarno Trulli for the following two as well. Laps 27 to 30 were led by the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher.

By lap 31, Montoya had regained the lead, which he lost briefly to Raikonnen and Michael Schumacher after he pitted. He then led comfortably from lap 59 to the end of the race. The podium saw Michael Schumacher in third position, Raikonnen in second, and Montoya on the top step.

Image Credit: motorsport.com

This did not alter the top two positions of the Drivers’ Championship standings, but caused Fernando Alonso to take third position. As well as this, McLaren bested Ferrari to take first place in the Constructors’ Championship.

The McLaren of Raikonnen achieved the fastest lap of the race on lap 49. Interestingly, there were no on-track overtakes recorded during this race. This is a very rare occurrence in Formula One.

What races would you like to see us cover next on Flashback Friday? Leave your comments below.

Written by Alexandra.

Featured Image Credit: Rainer Schlegelmilch on motorsportimages.com