May 28 2011

F1: Monaco Qualifying

I’m sorry, I’m just not as enthused about Monaco as everyone else.  It’s a short, twisty, narrow course without many opportunities for overtaking.

Those who do like it for reasons other than tradition and glamor, point out that these are just the qualities that make it a great equalizer where more horsepower and superior aerodynamics don’t count for as much to which my reply is- so you’re relying on sheer dumb luck then?

Partisans of McLaren are much encouraged by the tight finish at Catalunya.  People who root for Scuderia Marlboro UPC are encouraged by…

Not much actually.  Their best news is that the rumors flying around Hamilton last week are now swirling around Button.  Otherwise while their team chief is professionally optimistic, Alonso is entirely unhappy with their performance so far and is demanding a faster car.

Moving back to McLaren, the Marlboro Scuderia may be picking up damaged goods (assuming either McLaren driver is insane enough to switch).  Button had a near collision with a forklift as they were setting up their palatial compound and Hamilton is very, very, unhappy with Scuderia Toro Rosso (the Red Bull team with the less reliable and powerful Ferrari engines) and/or Mercedes depending on who you read.

In other off track news, despite Bernie’s naturally dictatorial nature it seems unlikely the Bahrain Grand Prix will be rescheduled.  This has less to do with the protests of human rights organizations or any sympathy for the serfs and is more about scheduling and transportation.  In a story straight out of the PR department, Formula One gets to claim to be environmentally friendly by transferring KERS technology from the Nissan Leaf.  Team Lotus gets to keep their name.

Oh, you want racing news.  Have I mentioned it’s all about the tires?  Pirelli is debuting new Super Softs this weekend which will be mixed with the softs to ensure pit stops and simulate excitement.  Vettel says the Super Softs are good for 23 laps though so who knows?

My prediction?  Yet another snooze fest made exciting by flaming chunks of twisted metal which will be made more numerous by the frequent appearance of the safety car.

As usual, surprising developments below.

31 comments

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    • on 05/28/2011 at 13:40
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:04
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    Backmarkers using the Super Soft.  Big mistake.  Save them for the race.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:06
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    Will they turn a lap?  Will they race?

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:17
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:20
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    Forced everyone onto Super Softs.

    HRT did not urn a lap and are likely not to start.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:22
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:28
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    Kovalienen

    Trulli

    Alguersuari

    Glock

    d’Ambrosio

    Plus the 2 HRTs which will probably not start.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:29
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:33
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    Not surprising.  This is a slow track and you need all the down force you can get.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:34
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    but they seem to be chewing the Super Softs like Chiclets.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:44
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    Petrov not so much.

    That’s a surprise actually.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:44
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:49
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    Petrov

    Barichello

    Kobayashi

    di Resta

    Sutil

    Heidfeld

    Buemi

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:50
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:51
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    Did I mention it’s hard to tell who’s used how much tire?

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:52
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:54
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:54
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:55
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:56
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:56
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:57
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    At least unused ones.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 14:58
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    Red flag.

    Hard.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 15:03
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    Hamilton, among others, has yet to post a time.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 15:05
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    Not much time at all.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 15:18
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    Now we’re repairing the track

    • on 05/28/2011 at 15:31
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    Now they’re recycling Sam Posey’s piece from Formula One Debrief.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 15:35
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    • on 05/28/2011 at 15:37
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    You’d think they’d be saving their tires.

    • on 05/28/2011 at 15:39
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    Vettel pole.

    I’ll sort it out tomorrow.

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