[Soadiassy]

It's not like Q1 is all that critical anyway, you only need to put it in the top 17, in other words be the second slowest of the established teams cars all things being normal, if you're not capable of that, even in tight circumstances, then tough. And Q2 onwards the slowest cars won't be there!

[HonjUopu]

This reminds me the talks about a two-tier championship last year. Now if this split qualifying would have happened, that would have been a real two-tier competition! If a car of a top team crashes, breaks down or opts for a completely wrong strategy (like we saw in the qualifying for the Malaysian GP!), a backmarker car deserves to beat them. We can't eliminate that possibility.

[Byxtysaaqwuz]

I been there, no need to change anything.

[soonahonsefalh]

Its Monaco and part of its challenge and history is dealing with the backmarkers.

Also I thought F1 was a sport where everyone gets an equal shot (Well I know thats not always the case) but if a Lotus or Virgin driver has a good day in a mixed Qualifying he may be able to get upto 15th or 16th ahead of a more established runner even more so if it rains.

So for me all cars should go out and set as many laps as they want.

Like others have said its only 6 seconds different. We have had plenty of cars lapping Monaco slower than that over the years.
I am hoping the slower cars may be able to close the time gap around the streets and spring a suprise or two.

The teams and drivers just need to get on with it. IMO

[soonahonsefalh]

I imagine the new teams all have been looking at Monaco as their best oppotunity this season to get a point.

How many races in Monaco finish with less than 11 finishers? Answer a fair few especially if it rains.

So if they can lap reliably and we have a similar race to 95, 96, 97, 99, 00, 01 or 04. They have a realistic chance for a point.

Although from what I saw of the handling of the Hispania in the Spain weekend it wont be long before Senna and Chandhok are in the wall.

[vipdumpp]

My favorite grand prix and track is the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. I LOVE!!! that place - it was where my alltime favorite driver, Jody Scheckter won the grand prix and the world title, driving a Ferrari [that is racing driver heaven, hein?], but my other track is Monte Carlo :-]

Never mind downforce - an essential requirement at Monte Carlo in order to maintain stability - it will be the drivers that are usually best able to keep off the walls that will WIN.

Hamilton and Vettel tend to bang the walls. Jenson, Alonso andone of the Monte Carlo greats, Schumacher, do not.

It will be apt for Schumi to make this his first podium finish. I will be disappointed if Jenson does not finish AT LEAST on the podium. I expect him to win.

Webber is an outlier for this grand prix. Where does one place him expecially after Catalunya. Like Massa we will only know when we discover WHICH Mark has arrived at Monte Carlo.

[Cofeeman]

Hamilton and Vettel tend to bang the walls. Jenson, Alonso andone of the Monte Carlo greats, Schumacher, do not.

Hamilton has crashed at Monaco once and so has Alonso. Even the great Schumacher has crashed there. Come to think of it hasn't Jenson had a crash there where he was nearly very badly injured? Button also crashed out of the 2002 race, and the following year did not start due to a crash the previous day. All apart from Vettel are Monaco winners I must remind you..

So no Vettel and Hamilton don't tend to bang the walls, just like Jenson is not prone to forgetting to brake coming out of the tunnel.

[Pataacculakp]

Thank goodness common sense has prevailed. Monaco IS special, and the whole ethos of the place is its uniqueness and tightness.

If you are not man enough to race around Monaco without assistance and make the space or get past the slower cars, then you should bugger off and go fishing......

[jstizzle]

Monaco is a special track. One that will play more toward teams with superior mechanical grip,
and less to cars with superior down force. No one will be using their "Blown Rear Wing/F-duct"
It's all about qualifying, and being able to not lose time in the really slow parts, yet being able to take Sainte Devote, and Casino "balls out" 70 times in the race.
This could be a good track for Kubinski, to pull off a real shocker .
(although if "The Boss" can take advantage of his late braking style without binning it in quali he may be in for an easy Sunday cruise)
Actually I think any pilot of the top five teams has a fighting chance for glory this Sunday.
I'll even throw in Sutil, and Alguersuari.
Damn I love F1 on back to back weekends

[Master_B]

Totally agree. Which is a rare thing, admittedly.

Slower cars have always been part of the challenge of qualifying....or were when it was a recognised part of the skill set of a driver to find the space needed.

Quite right - as long as somebody doesn't stop and block the track near the end of quals.

[Byxtysaaqwuz]

A perfect lap at Monaco needs a driver who can be on 101 percent, and not a tiny bit over that.

Therefore Jenson or Seb.

[dexterljohnthefinanceguy]

A perfect lap at Monaco needs a driver who can be on 101 percent, and not a tiny bit over that.

Therefore Jenson or Seb.

I hope that Michael will stun all, but realistically it will be again a RBR 1-2.

[remstaling]

I hope that Michael will stun all, but realistically it will be again a RBR 1-2.

I don't know about a RBR 1-2. I think the McLaren will be suited well to Monaco actually.

I think from RBR Webber will be better suited to Monaco than Vettel. All that said, Schumacher is someone you just can't write off this weekend.

Unfortunately by the end of the first lap most of the work for the race will have been done. All the excitement will be before the race, not during it.

[vipdumpp]

Hamilton has crashed at Monaco once and so has Alonso. Even the great Schumacher has crashed there. Come to think of it hasn't Jenson had a crash there where he was nearly very badly injured? Button also crashed out of the 2002 race, and the following year did not start due to a crash the previous day. All apart from Vettel are Monaco winners I must remind you..

So no Vettel and Hamilton don't tend to bang the walls, just like Jenson is not prone to forgetting to brake coming out of the tunnel.

In 2008, Lewis banged the wall and had to pit for a new wheel - it was only because of the safety car that the difference was neutralized and he was able to continue and win. And then there was the 2009 Q1 nonsense.

Vettel does tend to crash at vital moments similar to Hamilton - Monte Carlo 2009.

In 2002 at Saint Devote, Jense was overtaking Panis who did not see him, kept to the normal line and collided with Button.

2003 he touched the barrier exiting the tunnel and had a very big accident.

My point is TENDENCY. Jenson has participated at Monte Carlo many more times than either Vettel or Hamilton so his ratio of scenery meetings is much lower.

Hamilton's is pretty high as is Vettel's.

[vipdumpp]

A perfect lap at Monaco needs a driver who can be on 101 percent, and not a tiny bit over that.

Therefore Jenson or Seb.

I suggest you include Schumi there - never underestimate Schumacher at Monte Carlo

[jstizzle]

Here ya''awl boys go writing Ferrari off again!
Running max wing at Monaco may help their down force issues,
and help heat the tires for the quali runs!

[remstaling]

I suggest you include Schumi there - never underestimate Schumacher at Monte Carlo

....and is why I've already given some of my Webber winnings on Betfair to a Schumacher win at 20/1!

[Futfwrca]

Hamilton and Vettel tend to bang the walls. Jenson, Alonso andone of the Monte Carlo greats, Schumacher, do not.

Button doesnt bang wall? So I guess it was a dream that button put it in the wall at monaco in 2003, quite funny huh

[dexterljohnthefinanceguy]

I don't know about a RBR 1-2. I think the McLaren will be suited well to Monaco actually.

I think from RBR Webber will be better suited to Monaco than Vettel. All that said, Schumacher is someone you just can't write off this weekend.

Unfortunately by the end of the first lap most of the work for the race will have been done. All the excitement will be before the race, not during it.

I disagree. We may see safety cars and bizarre crashes, which will "spice up the show" lol.

[Cofeeman]

My point is TENDENCY. Jenson has participated at Monte Carlo many more times than either Vettel or Hamilton so his ratio of scenery meetings is much lower.

Hamilton's is pretty high as is Vettel's.

This will be Jenson's 9th Monaco and Lewis's 4th, so its a weak comparison IMO. Lewis touched the barrier in 2008 but its hardly a crash and afterall he has finished every Monaco race in his F1 career to date, unlike Jenson. They've also both had a win and a second place finish so there's nothing between them in terms of points scored (Old points accepted). Come to think of it, considering Lewis has only participated in 3 Monaco's so far, a first and a second place is not bad. I think Jenson needs to brush up on his skills and even more so considering he lives there.. lol