Monaco Grand Prix

Over the Monaco weekend there were many talks about the budget cap for 2010. All the teams are at least in agreement with the cap on spending but how it's done appears to be the issue. Reading between the lines it now transpires the budget cap won't be applied in full until 2011 with reductions in 2010.

The breakaway series appears to have gone away so at least we are sure of F1 continuing in its present form as all we armchair spectators want it to. My concern is all the changes are going to water down the sport and the politics are getting worse which I am sure the sport does not need.

With a further meeting, 27 May, it will be interesting to see which of the teams lodge their 2010 entry as the only team to enter at this point is Williams.

Anyway, back to the race. It was an interesting race with mixed strategies which always make it interesting. Jenson shot off pole into Ste Devote and never really got challenged from there. In the meanwhile Rubens had a great start and beat Kimi into the first corner and he never really relinquished that position either.

After a shakedown the Ferrari's gathered behind the Brawn's and again were never really challenged finishing three (Kimi) and four (Felipe). They have closed the gap on Brawn and the best showing of their season so far. The cars looked sharper, more driveable and definitely much more on the pace.

Lewis struggled all day from his lowly grid position, made even worse by a gearbox change. He finished a lowly 12th and again nil points. Heikki on the other hand had a strong start faded to 7th and then hit the wall at the swimming pool, knocked off the nose and out he went, an incident very similar to Fernando's accident during quali.

Behind the Ferrari's Mark (Webber) drove a great race to finish 5th followed by a resurgent Nico who finished in his grid position of 6th. Fernando said his car felt better as the race went on to come in 7th and the last point scorer was Sebastien (Bourdais) earning a point for Toro Rosso.

Nelson Piquet was enjoying a good race until Sebastien (Buemi) decided to push him off the circuit into the armco at Ste Devote, so both were out.

Vettel started on super softs and was soon presenting a mobile chicane for many stuck behind him. Eventually he had to come in early as the tyres were shot. A lot of the teams were surprised how quickly the super softs went off and caused some strategy changes for the teams.

Vettell eventually attacked the armco at Ste Devote and his race was run. BMW continued their bad luck season with Heidfeld complaining the car wasn't quick enough and Kubica pulled out with brake problems.

So the race finished with Jenson (First) and Rubens (Second) and another Brawn 1,2. A rather amusing finish as Jenson decided he would ignore Monaco protocol and drive into the customary pit lane rather than the Monaco scenario of driving to the finishing lane and parking in front of the royal box.

Even after 78 laps around the streets of Monaco he was seen running to the start/finish lane which caused a little hilarity but confirms his fitness level.

So a Brawn 1,2 a Ferrari 3,4 followed by Red Bull, Williams, Renault and the last point to Toro Rosso.

Can anyone catch Jenson who now leads the championship by 16 points from Rubens on 35 and then the luckless Vettel at Monaco who has only 23 points. The constructors championship is obviously led by Brawn on a massive 86 points with their nearest rival (Red Bull) on a lowly 42.5.

One has to say it is not over yet but his points lead after 6 of 17 races is huge and it will take some failures from Brawn to water down such a massive lead. The reliability of the Brawn's to date has been exemplary to date and lets hope for Jenson and Rubens that continues.

So off we go to Turkey and what a thriller that will be with Ferrari coming back, Red Bull still improving, Williams getting nearer and let us all hope Mclaren find the downforce which is so sadly lacking so far this season.

Monaco Quali

Well here we are at the glitz and glamour of Monaco for the most evocative race on the F1 calendar. This street circuit is one of the most challenging for the drivers with close barriers, the tunnel where vision coming out is an issue and the challenge of overtaking.

It looked like Lewis was going to be on top of the list except he dropped it going into Mirabeau on the bump and swiped the rear left corner. So that was him down to 16th and taking no part in the qualifying hour.

Up at the sharp end it was destined to be a fight between the Brawn's, Red Bull's and Heikki in the remaining Mclaren with Fernando in there and fighting with his Renault. Jenson seemed to be taking things very slowly and didn't really figure in the early running. So, in quali 1 we lost Lewis, both Toyota's and both BMW's. One has to ask where are BMW as their season has been miserable to date and one suggests drastic changes have to be made and quickly.

Into quali 2 and the fight continued at the head of the field with Rosberg now putting in some scintillating laps and we were in for a showdown. There were no surprises in the top 10 as we lost the Toro Rosso's, Force India's and Nelson in his Renault.

So let battle commence as the last 15 minutes started. Again Jenson wasn't showing his hand as Rubens led the pack with Kimi in close pursuit. What was Jenson doing floundering around but he obviously had the game in hand. At the last minute he threw in a lap that was to put him on pole and where he got that from no one knows.

So the finishing order in the top 6 was Jenson, Kimi, Rubens, Sebastian (Vettel), Felipe and Nico showing good form in the Williams. Heikki showed well in front of Mark, Fernando and Kazuki.

So lets hope for a good race with plenty of the usual Monaco excitement.

F1 Barcelona - The Race

Sorry the post is late but life has been hectic over the past 2 weeks. So off we went to Barcelona for the first European race of the season. The front end of the grid is becoming the form cars for 2009 with Red Bull, Torro Rosso with a Ferrari for a change up at the front.

Albeit concerned about the KERS cars off the grid the 2 Brawn's were off but this time Rubens went into turn 1 in the lead closely followed by Jenson. Then came carnage behind them as Trulli went off onto the grass and came back across the track in front of Sutil and Bourdais ran into, or climbed over the back of Buemi. So we lost 2 Torro Rosso's, a Toyota and a Force India.

This brought the safety car out whilst they cleared up the debri. Then a pattern started to emerge as Rubens was off away at the front followed by Jenson, Vettel, Webber and Massa. It seemed they were all on 3 stoppers which Ross Brawn had confirmed was the quickest strategy.

With plenty of scraps down through the field the first pit stops arrived and in they swooped. All done and status quo resumed. Barrichello, Button, Vettel, Webber, Massa and the rest. Apart from a few scraps in the mid field the status quo remained until the second tyre stops.

The pace that Rubens had been running now seemed to go away on the third set of tyres and in the meantime Brawn had swapped Jenson to a 2 stop strategy rather then Rubens' 3 which went down like a lead brick with Rubens. However, the 2 stop strategy was still the right one.

So now Jenson took over the lead hotly pursued by Mark, Rubens, Felipe and Sebastian who was, for him frustratingly stuck behind the Ferrari. Unfortunately Lewis had a bad afternoon and really wasn't at the sharp end all day.

Nick (Heidfeld) and Nico (Rosberg) were always in the points and drove a good race throughout. In the heat of battle Kimi went missing with electrical problems so off to the garage for his shorts and an ice cream, Kovalinen only lasted 7 laps for the gremlins took over so that made the 6 retirements of the day joining the first 4 on lap 1.

So the run to the flag was on and after Mark's (Webber) final pit stop Rubens took over P2 and was never to lose it behind Jenson.

Felipe had fuel problems in the latter stages i.e. lack of and was told by the pits to slow down so as not to run out prior to the end. It appears the refuelling rig, banned for 2010 didn't dispense the correct amount of fuel and to bring him in for it would have taken any chance away. As it was he finished 6th after letting Sebastian and Fernando through.

That was at least a pleasant sight for Sebastian as he had been looking at the Ferrari double diffuser all afternoon so can tell the pits all about it, ha ha.

So yet another 1,2 for Brawn and Jenson's 4th win of the season, the 2 Red Bull's took 3rd and 4th with Fernando, Felipe, Nick and Nico making up the top 8 points positions. Rubens recorded the fastest lap at an average speed of 202.484 so at least something for his day out at the office.

So now it's off to Monaco for all the razzle dazzle and what hopefully will be a thrilling race. So many thrills with La Rascasse, Lowes, the tunnel and the swimming pool complex at what should be a great event as usual.

I remember watching a program about Jackie Stewart saying that when he came out of the tunnel into the then different chicane he could smell the grass every time he went past, wow. There was evidently a patch of grass on the harbour side to the left of the first part of the chicane and he could smell it with each circuit.

Monaco here we come.

F1 Barcelona Quali

Quali was always going to be a tight affair here and it turned out 1.7 seconds beyween pole and 20th. It was also to be a race which could tell us who has season pace and who hasn't after the first 4 fly away races.

I have to mention the total cock up once again by Ferrari leaving Raikonnen at the rear of the grid and not progressing to Q2. It appears that Kimi has taken responsibility for the grid position and one has to question his commitment to his team.

He says "I wasn't really keen on going out again, I thought we had done enough", well as far as I am concerned he should vacate his seat and give it to someone who does have the commitment.

It was always going to be a fight between Brawn, Red Bull and Toyota which has been the pattern from the start of the season. However, Massa has at last found some pace and he will be in perfect position to use his KERS for the start and if he can get into Turn 1 in front Barcelona is a circuit where he can dictate the pace.

Jenson came out on top and took pole with Sebastian Vettel hot on his heals. But what about fuel, Vettel it appears has 2 more laps of fuel than Jenson which could make all the difference throughout the race. Rubens and Felipe followed in 3rd and 4th with Mark and Timo taking row 3. Jarno and Fernando took row 4 with Nico and Kubica rounding out the top 5 rows.

Kubica has at last found some pace in difference to his team mate Heidfeld who finished down in 13th. This was at least a better showing than Bahrain where they took the lowly positions. What about Mclaren? Lewis finished 14th with Heiki not even making Q2. The Mclaren just doesn't seem to have enough downforce to make a challenge and we will have to wait to see if they can find it.

It looks as though Lewis won't be able to fight to retain his world champion status this year as races come and go without points. Let's hope KERS can help in through the race, it will be interesting.

So I am ready for the start and hope it's a great race to herald the teams back to Europe.

Formula 1 Back in Europe

Firstly I would like to pass on my commiserations to Max Mosley after the recent loss of his oldest son, Alexander. Irrelevant of the circumstances it must be a hard time for Max and our thoughts are with him during these difficult times.

Well here we go, the F1 circus comes to Europe for the first time in 09 with this weekends Barcelona GP. The big question on everyone's mind is whether the big four of previous years can come to terms with Brawn, Toyota and Red Bull.

Mclaren seemed to be pinning the breakaway 3 last time out in Bahrain albeit their overall race pace wasn't a match for Brawn, Red Bull and Toyota. They still need more mechanical grip and one cannot believe they are not on the case for this weekend. Whilst they say upgrades have been fitted already I am sure they will find more.

Ferrari have been in the doldrums all season and only narrowly missed its worst start to a GP season with Kimi's 6th in Bahrain. They relied on the success of banning the new diffusers and once that failed they were faced with a complete rebuild. They are to introduce a new update package in Spain which will include a new wing package and of course the thing tried to ban, the new diffuser.

BMW have had a miserable start to 2009 finishing at the back in Bahrain. It is supposedly introducing a major aero update although it states its double decker diffuser won't be available for the weekend. They need a breath of fresh air from somewhere as Heiidfeld and Kubica are not happy with their lot.

Renault will also bring a new aero package to Barcelona along with all the others. After an interim diffuser in China, remember it was flown across in Falvio's jet, it expects further aero parts to be available for Spain.

So, the fight back starts albeit the first 4 races have been and gone. Brawn, Toyota and Red Bull will also be bringing improvements to their cars in Spain so it will have to be a mighty leap from the big 4 of yesteryear to put them in front.

Ross Brawn's pedigree in recent years with Ferrari proves he is a whilly old fox and since the start of the season he has proved he hasn't lost anything after his sabbatical.

We all want to see the 7 teams fighting for supremacy and at least if the big 4 narrow the gap then we are in for some thrilling races for the rest of the season. As the grid is covered by a mere 2 seconds now quali should be very interesting spectacle.

I must also mention the other teams who are sometimes forgotten. I think we all had high hopes for Williams as both Rosberg and Nakajima have the equipment to get it done but almost flatter to deceive. Toro Rosso who have the car to fight at the front albeit Bourdais, who's position is in question, doesn't match Buemi's pace, so far anyway and we are all willing Force India to show progress, not for us but for them.

The next 3 races in Spain, Monaco and Turkey will lay down the gauntlet and by Britain we should know who's got what and why. Lets hope all these bits bring the cars closer together and that we can have some great racing amongst the top teams.

Circuit de Catalunya has a track length of 2.892 miles and with 66 race laps the distance will be 190 miles. The track consists of 16 corners and as the teams do a lot of testing here they should be familiar with the intricacies of the place. There is one thing for certain, downforce is needed here in abundance for the high speed corners.

News stories of the week.

At a World Motor Sport Council meeting last week Tyre Warmers and Refuelling will be outlawed from 2010. This Green incentive will of course encourage engine builders to improve fuel economy all adding to reducing costs in the longer term. The short term cost saving will of course mean teams will not have to carry around expensive refuelling rigs.

As we all by now Mclaren escaped a race ban but have a suspended ban hanging over its head, let's hope they can now keep it clean.

Cost capping has been very much at the front of everyone's mind of late and it appears £40 million is now the target figure. This whole question is very complex and we will have to wait developments as the story roles on.

Whilst F1 doesn't like being mentioned in the same article as A1, I have to mention the achievements of Adam Carroll after winning the A1 champ. His last outing at Brands, the last of the season after Mexico was ruled out because of Swine Flue, saw him with 2 poles and 2 wins outfoxing Switzerland to land the crown. Well done Adam.

Well that's all for now and I look forward to blogging over the weekend.

Ayrton Senna Anniversary

Last Friday (1 May) is the 15th Anniversary of the death of what maybe the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, Ayrton Senna da Silva. This Brazilian was to make a mark in F1 that was difficult to emulate even by the great Michael Schumacher with whom he is always compared.

As with most of the F1 drivers Ayrton came from Kart Racing, onto Formula 3 and eventually onto F1 in 1994 with the Toleman team. He moved to Lotus in 1985 and had 3 seasons with them with differing results although many podiums.

Then he moved to Mclaren in 1988 and won his first world championship. That was to be followed by a further 2 in 1990 and 1991. He left Mclaren and moved to Williams in 1994 in controversial circumstances between himself and Alain Prost.

The first 2 races of the season were not good for him, in fact his worst start to a season. Onward he went to San Marino where on Friday, during the afternoon qualifying session, Senna's protege, the then F1 newcomer Rubens Barrichello, was involved in a serious accident that prevented him from competing in the race. The next day Austrian driver Roland Ratzenberger was killed in qualifying. but unfortunately was killed in at the San Marino GP in that year.

Having put the car on pole the drivers were put behind the safety car after a huge pile up at the start. Senna then set the pace with his now great rival Michael Schumacher behind him. As Senna entered the Tamburello corner at 137mph his Williams left the track and hit the retaining wall. After being airlifted to hospital he was pronounced dead later in the day.

Ayrton Senna is the last driver to die at the wheel of an F1 car, a testament to the pressure he started towards driver safety.

During his career he had 3 world championships, 41 races, 80 podiums, scored 610 points and has 65 poles. One wonders what would have happened had he been around more in the early years of Michael Schumacher's career, all we can do is ponder the thought.

Mclaren suspended ban

The FIA's World Motor Sport Council met on the 29th to discuss the Australian lie-gate affair after the first meeting of the season. At the council meeting on the 29th Mclaren were given a 3 race suspended ban in light of the ‘open and honest way’ in which team principal Martin Whitmarsh addressed the Council on Wednesday, and will only be applied if further evidence emerges, or there is another breach of the International Sporting Code.

I think the events of Melbourne 2009 have been well publicised but the implications of Mclaren's actions went through the Formula 1 fraternity like a hot knife through butter.

Post the stewards meeting in Melbourne, team manager Dave Ryan was suspended and Lewis was placed in a very tenuous position. He apologised for his actions during the week leading up to Malaysia but this has damaged his career for certain.

A little like Michael Schumacher, unfortunately we only remember the bad times and don't reflect on the good. A similar issue will apply to Lewis and we will await with baited breath for the end of the season. Lewis says his allegiance stays with Mclaren but I am not whether his father Anthony agrees, we will see.

We also saw the move away from the Formula 1 team of Ron Dennis to concentrate on the development of the new road car. Ron has been a huge part of the success of F1 and whilst he had moved sideways at the beginning of the season passing the reins to Martin Whitmarsh I personally find it sad we don't see him anymore.

Let us all hope this is the end of the legal ramblings to the start of the 2009 season and let's get back to racing without the umbrella.