Symonds defends Heikki's progress

Renault's executive director of engineering Pat Symonds says people should not compare Heikki Kovalainen's progress with fellow rookie Lewis Hamilton's stunning achievements.

"It's an unfair comparison," he said in Renault's official podcast.

Symonds is convinced that Kovalainen would fare better if the car gave him more confidence.

"Perhaps the most important thing that you need to give a rookie is a car he can trust - a car that he can take to the limit and a bit beyond, and get it back," he said.

"And I think that's where we're probably letting Heikki down a little bit this year."

Read full story here

Ron Dennis lost no sleep over Monaco row

Ron Dennis almost certainly did not lose a wink of sleep over the three nights it took the FIA to conduct their investigation into Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix - just as he said he wouldn't.

Dennis and his McLaren team emerged with reputations intact after being cleared of issuing team orders which resulted in the one-two processional finish for Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton around the streets of Monte Carlo.

The 59-year-old insisted immediately after the race his conscience was clear, maintaining that his team "are scrupulously fair at all times".

Read full story here

Robert Kubica: We don’t want to stop at being ‘the third power’

Q: It was you first time in a Formula One car in Monaco. Racing there has produced many famous analogies - riding a bicycle in your bathroom, etc - but how would you describe it?

RK: I was not a complete Monaco virgin as I did the Friday sessions last year - and in ‘98 was racing a kart, although it was not the complete track that F1 uses - so I knew pretty well what to expect. I like street circuits – I’ve always performed well there and Monaco is a hell of a task. Of course they are not as safe as purpose-built tracks, but nothing can compare to the atmosphere. And with some more street circuits in the planning I am sure they will find the right balance between safety and urban character.

Read full story here

Rules Makeover Will Improve Spectacle, Mosley Says

Max Mosley believes that moves to improve the spectacle of Formula 1 should be focused around boosting overtaking rather than a radical overhaul of the race weekend.

Earlier this year, Renault team boss Flavio Briatore suggested a shake-up to F1’s format, with a GP2-type double header instead of the traditional single race (click here for story). Mosley says the FIA will consider all possibilities, but he reckons making passing easier should be the first priority, rather than changes to the established race format.

Read full story here

The English tradition of great expectations

by Cameron McMillan

It's not one of the first things you notice when you get to England.

Whether it's an indie band from Camden who are the next Arctic Monkeys, or a young West End actress who is the next Keira Knightley; they love to predict a future star. Usually you never hear about them again after they crumble under the huge expectations of the British public.

But this time the pundits just may have it right, because Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton looks the real deal.

The rise of Hamilton has come at the right time for England sports fans in desperate need of a national hero. The cricketers are trying to pick themselves up after losing the Ashes heavily followed by a poor performance at the World Cup, the footballers are dangerously close to not qualifing for the European Championships and the ?world champion' rugby team take up as many inches in the sports section as darts.

Read full story here

Formula 1 days at Magny Cours over

The French Grand Prix's days at Magny-Cours are numbered according to Bernie Ecclestone, who is now looking to run the event closer to Paris.

Problems with access to the track, accommodation in the area and the lack of business opportunities prompted the decision, with the Briton adding: "It's a little bit disappointing because we organised this Grand Prix but it never evolved in the way that we would have like it to."

Instead, Ecclestone dreams of seeing a race through the streets of the French capital, even if that idea is unlikely.

"Why not Disneyland? There are hotels, (and) you can get there by train. It would ideal."

Ecclestone also hinted that the sport's most glamorous event might be a little different in the future.

Read full story here

Hamilton sacrifices personal glory for team points

Lewis Hamilton sacrificed personal glory for team points at the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Formula One sensation from Tewin was second around the challenging Monte Carlo street circuit.

He crossed the line four seconds behind team-mate Fernando Alonso as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes claimed their second one-two finish of the season.

Read full story here

Adrian Sutil replacement for Ralf Schumacher?

Adrian Sutil has been touted as a possible replacement for the beleaguered Ralf Schumacher at Toyota.

Following a dismal weekend in Monaco, Schumacher has reputedly been given just two races to save his F1 career.

According to reports in the German press, the team have run out of patience with the 31-year-old and Sutil has been linked with a dramatic transfer from Spyker.

The unheralded Sutil has emerged as one of 2007's unlikely success stories.

Read full story here

The day EJ beat them all

Now take your mind back to the start of Spa in 1998. Damon Hill's third on the grid, and it's been raining since the morning warm-up...

Damon [Hill]’s clutch snatched at the start and he spun his rear wheels on the wet track. He had dropped from third to seventh by the time the leaders reached the first corner.

Disappointment had barely taken hold when there was another surprise.

The television pictures showed mounting chaos as David Coulthard spun at the exit of the corner and car after car seemed to pile into the McLaren.

Wheels and bits of bodywork flew in all directions, leaving the organisers with no alternative but to stop the race. Damon was going to get a second chance – provided his car had not been damaged.

Read full story here

Govt denies budget for night grand prix

The Victorian government has scoffed at concerns that an increase in its tourism budget is evidence of its secret preparation for a night-time Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

Greens and Liberal MPs used a parliamentary committee on Thursday morning to quiz Tourism Minister Tim Holding on the government's intentions for the race and highlighted an increase in money spent on tourism from $53.7 million in 2005-06 to a target of $70.3 million for 2007-08.

Read full story here

McLaren's "Team Orders" to be investigated by FIA

The FIA has announced that it has launched an investigation into incidents involving the McLaren Mercedes team at the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix, in light of a possible breach of the International Sporting Code. This is based on claims made mainly in the media that the team played its race strategy in such a way as to help Fernando Alonso to win the race, rather than Lewis Hamilton.

The FIA will now review all the available evidence, including any radio calls between the cars and the pits and whatever other data is available. The FIA says it is simply doing its job and if that makes it unpopular that is an unfortunate part of the role of being the regulator. The FIA says that the rules were changed in 2002 after the mess in Austria when Rubens Barrichello backed off to allow Michael Schumacher to win the race.

Read full story here

FIA new rule package to be complete by 2011

The FIA has sent out a new briefing note to the Formula 1 Manufacturers’ Advisory Committee regarding the technical plans for Formula 1 in 2011 and beyond. The package was dreamed up by Tony Purnell and Peter Wright and reviewed by Professor Neville Jackson, the Technical Director of the Ricardo company. The FIA is working with Ricardo to run simulations and to review strategy in the light of Ricardo's experience in mainstream automotive research and development. The document we have obtained says that discussions are still going on and that a Power-train Working Group will be formed to assist the FIA in detailing the technical regulations. The aim is to have to 2011 regulations settled by the end of the year.

The FIA says that the changes are needed because they need to lower costs in F1 and to react to public concern about the environment. Research and development relevant only to Formula 1 will be discouraged, whereas that which has relevance to road car development will be encouraged. The FIA says it will overtly encourage energy-efficient power-train development and contrain many other areas of the cars. It will also reduce waste by requiring parts to be used at more races.

Read full story here

Did McLaren Favour Alonso Over Hamilton at the Monaco GP?

In the aftermath of a processional race in which the two McLaren drivers finished first and second with ease, but without fighting each other, Dennis said that McLaren did not favour the 25-year-old Spaniard against the 22-year-old British rookie.

He spoke out after being questioned strongly on the team's strategy and team orders, particularly as Alonso, on pole position, began the race in a car that carried five laps less fuel than Hamilton.

This meant that Alonso was not only in a lighter car for qualifying on Saturday, but also in a lighter, faster car for the first part of the race.

Hamilton accepted this after the race with a long face when he said: "I am in car number two so I am the number two driver."

Read full story here

Gambling, Luck and the Formula 1 race in Monaco

Gambling will only get you so far. It is nice to win but a lot of the time luck has nothing to do with it. You win by working at it, doing the homework and not because the cards fell in your favour.

Monaco is a city built on a casino, on the foundation that luck can bring you everything you need. But on Sunday in Monte Carlo luck had nothing to with it. McLaren won the event because the team has worked for it. T

he fact that Fernando Alonso took victory in the event meant that Lewis Hamilton was second. He seemed happy with that. When you are in your fifth Grand Prix and have finished on the podium in all five, you are still excited to be there but there was something about the smiles and the body language involved that hinted that Lewis would have been happier to have won.

Everyone likes to win but there are times when luck has nothing to do with it.

Read full story here

Formula One and fashion unite for charity

Formula One racing and fashion is a synergy that has worked smoothly for years, especially at the ultra-glamorous Monaco Grand Prix. On Friday evening they officially came together in the name of charity, for ‘Grand Prix and Fashion Unite’, to raise money for top model Tereza Maxova’s foundation for children in need.

The fashion: Tereza Maxova send out an SOS to her colleagues from the catwalk business and the likes of Petra Nemcova, Mari Tool and Jessica Sjöö came to her rescue to present evening dresses to die for by Isabell Kristensen. A special surprise was Petra Ecclestone, daughter of Bernie, who made a very personal donation by joining the professional models on stage. She blended in so perfectly that the rumour of the evening was that this could perhaps be the start of a new top modelling career.

Read full story here

F1 race in the US?

Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) owner Eddie Gossage has approached Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone about the possibility of staging a night race in the United States.

With Formula One planning an inaugural night race in Singapore next year, Gossage said he had sent Ecclestone an invitation to attend a night-time oval Indy car race at TMS on June 9, the day before the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

TMS staged the first-ever night-time Indy car race in 1997.

"I think it would be of great interest to Mr. Ecclestone and his staff to visit Texas Motor Speedway and get an opportunity to witness and evaluate open-wheel cars running at high speeds under the lights," Gossage told reporters.

Read full story here

Fernando Alonso Claims Victory at Monaco F1 Race

FERNANDO ALONSO

"This win means a lot to me and our World Championship Campaign. It’s a very nice surprise to see how the team’s hard work during the last couple of weeks has made our car so competitive. I have never had the experience of being more than one minute ahead of the competition which probably makes this one of my best victories. I didn’t get off the line brilliantly from pole position, but as there is such a short run to the first corner I was pretty sure that I would be able to keep the lead. However, as I was able to save fuel in my first stint I was able to stay out for two more laps than originally planned. After that the race was pretty quiet with only the backmarkers causing a few problems especially shortly before my second pitstop when I lost a lot of time. I will enjoy this victory and look forward to the races in North America."

Read full story here

Mark Webber and Red Bull F1 Team hopes things will work out at Monaco

Australian Mark Webber is confident Red Bull will be one of Formula One's most respected teams by the end of the year.

Webber feels that Red Bull has overcome a tough start to the season and is now starting to show some potential.

Teammate David Coulthard shrugged off the loss of third gear at the Spanish Grand Prix 11 days ago to finish fifth and score the team's first points for the season.

Unfortunately unreliability continued to haunt Webber as he retired with a hydraulics problem that had also wrecked his qualifying performance.

Ahead of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, Webber said there had been an upsurge in morale, which he hopes will lead to respectability.

Glamourous New Face of The 2007 Formula 1 British Grand Prix - Gemma Atkinson

Gemma, the successful model and former Hollyoaks star, is all geared up to set pulses racing as all eyes start to focus on this year’s British Grand Prix, taking place on 6-8 July.

In her role as the Female Face of the British Grand Prix, F1 fan Gemma will add an extra touch of glamour to the intensity and excitement of the country’s most breathtaking sporting event.

Etihad Aldar Spyker Formula One Team helped set the scene by supplying a F1 caras Gemma was officially unveiled as the Female Face of the 2007 FORMULA 1™ Santander British Grand Prix.

Read full story here

Alonso fastest at Monaco Practice as Hamilton crashes in practice

McLaren’s Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton crashed in Monaco Grand Prix practice yesterday in the first mishap of an otherwise sensational debut season.

The team blamed driver error for the accident with 22-year-old Hamilton braking late and spearing into the tyre wall at Sainte Devote, the first turn at the end of the pit straight, with half an hour remaining of the afternoon session.

Double champion Alonso, two points adrift of Hamilton in the overall standings after four races, was quickest in both sessions and the only driver to lap the tight and twisty street circuit in under one minute 16 seconds.

The Spaniard’s best lap in the afternoon was 1:15.940 after 1:16.973 in the morning.

Alas! Paris Hilton unavailable for Monaco F1 race

To the dismay of Formula 1 fans worldwide, the American socialite and wearer of funny sunglasses, Paris Hilton, will not be able to make it to this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix.

Miss Hilton, was due to visit F1’s most glamorous event as a guest of the Spyker F1 team, to promote fizzy white wine, Rich Prosecco.

Sadly, an impending spell in the clink for ‘drink driving related issues’ means that poor old Paris will not be able to attend Sunday’s race.

Read full story here

Hamilton handed £5,000 diamond ring as an SIP – Super Important Person

If Lewis Hamilton had any lingering doubts about his permanent residency on Planet F1, they ended yesterday as he was ­handed a £5,000 diamond ring as an SIP – super important person – on board a magnificent yacht in Monaco harbour.
Under his arm, with Monaco 07 emblazoned on the side in white diamonds, was his distinctive ­yellow racing helmet which he will wear this weekend for what many believe will be a crowning parade on the streets of this royal tax haven.Nearby, a woman with neck muscles presumably as strong as Hamilton’s, posed with a £60million diamond necklace, the Ponahalo, expected to be the world’s most expensive piece of jewellery when hosts Steinmetz sell it.

Read full story here

Lewis Hamilton hints taking attacking approach at Monaco F1 GP

Lewis Hamilton has hinted at an aggressive approach when it comes to qualifying for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix.

Around the tight, twisty Monte Carlo street circuit, where overtaking is virtually impossible, it is crucial to claim pole position.

Hamilton has yet to achieve such a feat so far in his debut season as the championship leader has adopted a more considered strategy.

That was certainly the case in the last race in Barcelona where the 22-year-old opted for a slightly heavier fuel load than team-mate Fernando Alonso who pushed for pole.

The Spaniard failed in his bid, having to settle for second behind Ferrari's Felipe Massa who went on to win the race.

Read full story here

14th Formula One race at Monaco and David Coulthard still nervous

David Coulthard has revealed he still feels nervous ahead of every Monaco GP - even though this will be his 14th race around the famed circuit.

The Red Bull Racing star is a two-time winner of the event, taking the chequered flag in 2000 and 2002 with McLaren.

Last year the 36-year-old claimed his only podium to date with Red Bull by finishing third, at the end of which he adorned a Superman cape to mark his heroic achievement.

Like no other race, though, this is the one that gives Coulthard a buzz. He said: "This is the biggest challenge for a driver.

Read full story here

Jarno Trulli And Toyota Looking For Happier Times at The Monaco F1 Grand Prix After Woeful Weekend

Jarno Trulli is hoping to erase the memory of his pain in Spain by rekindling far happier times around the streets of Monaco.

Trulli was forced to retire from the Spanish Grand Prix with a fuel-line fault at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya 10 days ago as Toyota endured a woeful weekend.

The team's 100% reliability record this year was wrecked as Trulli departed the scene, followed later by team-mate Ralf Schumacher, resulting in Toyota's first point-less grand prix of 2007.

Trulli is now looking to turn back the clock to 2004 when he scored his maiden Formula One victory in Monte Carlo after qualifying on pole for Renault.

Read full article here

Report: Australian Formula One Grand prix cost 'outweighs benefit'

The cost of the staging the Australian Formula One Grand Prix outweighs its benefit to Victorians, a report to the state government has found.

The Victorian Auditor General's report into State Investment in Major Events found the social cost of staging the 2005 Grand Prix was $69.8 million.

The cost to the community through government agency costs, loss of the use of the Albert Park Lake area, traffic diversion and noise was estimated to be $1.7 million.

Costs to the community did not include losses by local traders.

However, the report says the race may cause some households to spend in different areas.
"The grand prix is likely to increase local spending in Victoria because of the extra spending by interstate and overseas visitors rather than reduce it, " the report says.

Read full article here

Nick Heidfeld Looking Forward to "the Stars, Starlets And Parties" of Monaco Grand Prix F1 Race

Nick Heidfeld returns to one of his former haunts this week eager to put into perspective "the stars, starlets and parties" that turn the Monaco Grand Prix into a celebrity event.

For glitz and glamour, the blue-riband event of the Formula One calendar is virtually unparalleled in sporting terms.

Yet behind the diamonds and Dior there is still a motor-race that unfolds around the streets of the Principality.

Heidfeld knows Monte Carlo only too well, not only in race terms but also as he lived in the French enclave for many years.

"I had a lot of fun there, " recalled the BMW Sauber driver who has made a strong, steady start to the season.

Read full article here

Malaysia must be prepared to stage Formula One races at night says Bernie Ecclestone

Malaysia must be prepared to stage Formula One races at night to stay on the FIA's F1 calendar or even harbour any hope of an extension of the Malaysian Grand Prix contract that expires in 2010.

This was among a number of conditions, or rather terms, put forward by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone with regards to talks of an extension of the contract for staging the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Sepang International Circuit (SIC) chairman Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir said: "The FIA wants us to be prepared to stage night races as well as carry out some upgrading works at the circuit.

"We are actually studying what kind of light that would be suitable, the security aspects, which will certainly be our top priority, and a few other things before anything can be firmed up."

Read full article here

Kimi Raikkonen: "I’d like to be at the top of the championship table"

After making a flying start to his new career at Ferrari by winning on his debut in Australia, the Finn has lost ground in recent races.

Raikkonen’s optimism, however, could be ill-founded as British sensation Hamilton is showing no signs of slowing down.

He was outgunned by the two McLarens of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in Malaysia, and since then has lost the initiative to Brazilian team-mate Felipe Massa, who won in both Bahrain and Spain.

To make matters even worse for Raikkonen, he failed to score any points in Barcelona as his Ferrari suffered a rare mechanical glitch.

However, he claimed that looking back at failure isn’t his style. "I’m not the type to go over what has happened and I’m not about to start now, " he explained. "That was part of racing and it is impossible to change what took place. Points have been lost and there is nothing to be gained in going back – we will only know the full effect of this retirement at the end of the season. Of course, I’d like to be at the top of the championship table, but there are still 13 races to go and I am only eight points behind (series leader) Hamilton. "

Read full article here

Lewis Hamilton cautious over chances of victory at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix

McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton is remaining cautious over his chances of victory at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, despite having never lost around the challenging Monte Carlo street circuit.

Hamilton, who has finished on the podium at every race this season, triumphed in last year’s GP2 event in Monaco and also won on his previous visit in the F3 Euroseries. The Englishman, however, is taking nothing for granted.

"I have always run well at Monaco, having won there on my previous two visits to the race,” he said. “I am going to the race again this year with the intention of fighting for the win, but that is the case at everything I compete in. "

However we do have to keep being realistic, this will be my fifth race in Formula One and I am still developing. We have to focus on keeping scoring points for both the constructors' and drivers' championships and take it step by step."

Niki Lauda believes Britain's Lewis Hamilton can win world championship in his first season

Formula One legend Niki Lauda believes Britain's Lewis Hamilton can win the world championship in his first season.

The 22-year-old heads the current world drivers' standings ahead of this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo.

Lauda, the three-time world champion, said: 'It may seem absolutely amazing but, yes, I can see Lewis winning the championship (this season).

'He is clearly already as fast as his McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso, despite the fact he is completely new. He has a clear mind to face the challenge of Formula One.

Read full article here

Lewis Hamilton living out dream rookie season

Lewis Hamilton will continue to live his dream on Sunday when the British racing sensation competes in his first Monaco Formula One Grand Prix as world championship leader.

Getting a maiden career win in the principality in front of the rich and famous would cap one of the most stunning debuts in the sport.

"I am really looking forward to Monaco. It is one of the tracks I have always dreamed of racing at in Formula One. For me it is the best circuit of the year; there is nowhere like it for getting the adrenaline going," said the 22-year-old Briton.

Read full article here

Raikkonen and Ferrari have no differences claims Ferrari boss

Ferrari boss Jean Todt insists Kimi Raikkonen "is at ease" with the Maranello team despite his stuttering start to the season.

Victory on his Ferrari debut in Australia was followed by third-place finishes in Malaysia and Bahrain before retirement at the Spanish Grand Prix 10 days ago. Going into the race in Barcelona, Raikkonen had a shared of the lead in the drivers' championship but, ahead of Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, the Finn is fourth behind McLaren duo Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso and team-mate Felipe Massa.

Yet Todt maintains Raikkonen is fast integrating himself into the ways and means of the team, while they in turn understand how the 27-year-old operates.

"Kimi feels very much at ease with the team and vice-versa," said Todt.

"He is a genuine and sincere person, and here he has found an open and co-operative atmosphere. Personally, I get on very well with Kimi.

"I have always liked him both as a driver, and in terms of the way he is out of the cockpit, always remaining the same in what is the difficult world of Formula One."

Read full article here

Monaco F1 race excites Raikkonen

Kimi Raikkonen is looking forward to Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, a race the Finn rates as the most important of the Formula One season.

The 27-year-old former McLaren driver won in Monte Carlo in 2005 and is hopeful of securing his second victory of the season this weekend.

"If I had to follow Formula One as a spectator and had to choose one race, I would have no doubt, I would go to Monte Carlo, " said Raikkonen.

"It is the most important amongst all the Grand Prix, with an extraordinary combination of the emotions during the race, the particularity of the place and the prestige, surrounding the event. "It must be as wonderful to watch this race, as it is to participate in it. Not so much as far as the race is concerned but more in terms of the challenge.

"Driving fast in a F1 car through these streets is the biggest challenge of them all for sure. I love challenges: the more challenging they are the more I'm attracted. I really can't wait to race this GP. "This is a very special place for me and I will never forget my success in 2005, in a race, which I think was one of my most beautiful ones.

"It will be the seventh time I am going to race here and the first time with Ferrari. As usual we will have lots of work to do, but I hope I can also pass some time with my friends and family.

Read full article here

Michael Schumacher: “In the future - who knows?”

by Don Suseelan

Michael Schumacher’s cryptic answer to the question “Might we see you in a racing car sometime in the future?” only helps to give rise to more questions on his future than answering any. Schumacher, who had been keeping a low profile since his retirement from Formula One racing last year, was spotted in the Ferrari camp at the Barcelona grand prix this year. And despite repeated questions he maintained that he had no specific role and was “just observing”. He downplayed remarks on his individual brilliance and maintained that it was always the team that counted.

A lot of people still believe that Schumacher may return to Formula One racing if not as a full time driver at least on a part- time basis. But there are, also, a lot of people who believe that his single handed dominance of the sport in the past decade has actually done a lot of harm. The competition was always for the second place. This was not helped by the fact that Schumacher’s style of driving did not win him many friends on the track. His purportedly willful collisions in the title deciding races in 1994 and 1997 left a lasting blemish on his reputation.

However, the fact remains that Schumacher is, and for a long time will continue to be, the most successful driver the sport has ever produced. He currently holds nearly every record in Formula One racing and his name, together with Ferrari, will remain as the sports best known and most successful team.

The emergence of new and young drivers, notably Lewis Hamilton, is one reason some people believe that the return of Schumacher is improbable. Improbable, yes - but not impossible. Schumacher was a man who always stood up to challenges. Add to that his statement that he has not completely ruled out a return to racing and who knows – an interesting duel between Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton might be on the cards.

Honda Team Heads to Monte Carlo Next Week For The Highlight of The F1 Calendar

Conceived by Antony Noghès, the Monaco Grand Prix remains the most famous race on the Formula One calendar. First held in 1929, the street circuit is tight, twisty, bumpy, slow and totally unforgiving - an anachronism for today’s Formula One cars that gasp and crawl around its 3.340 km lap. To this day, Monaco remains the race that every driver dreams of winning sometime in their career.

RUBENS BARRICHELLO:
“Like most drivers, Monaco is one of my favourite races and I have some fantastic memories as I have finished on the podium four times there. Monaco is unique in many ways and it certainly has a special place in F1 history. I particularly enjoy qualifying at Monaco, it’s one of the biggest challenges of the year and so important to get right. Overtaking is very difficult so you have to qualify well and get a good grid position. Strategy is also crucial in Monaco as the pit-stops can help you gain track position. “

JENSON BUTTON:
“Monaco is the most famous race of all, where all the glitz and glamour of Formula One is on display, and there is no question that it is a very special place over the race weekend. It’s a very different race from any other on the calendar with so much history and it means even more to me as I live in Monaco, so it is one of my home races. Yet ironically the qualities which make it so appealing also make it a frustrating weekend for the teams and drivers. It’s unbelievably busy and getting around can be just impossible! When I’m not in the paddock, I’ll be getting out of the Principality and up into the hills behind the action to relax and give myself some space.

A Race of Attrition or Sheer Blinding Brilliance by One Man, Monaco Always Delivers

The streets of Monte Carlo always throw up an exciting race. Whether it’s a game of tactics, a race of attrition or sheer blinding brilliance by one man, Monaco always delivers. This time last year we arrived in Monaco with Nelson Piquet Jr at the top of the championship table.

An almost perfect weekend from eventual champion Lewis Hamilton, however, turned the tables well in the Englishman’s favour. With just the one race on the streets of the Principality, the Monaco winner can savour his victory perhaps more than at any other track of the year, and as is traditional, will take his place by Royal Invitation alongside the winner of the Formula One Grand Prix at a gala dinner on Sunday evening.

With Monaco holding its own as one of the truly individual circuits in global Motorsport, it is perhaps unsurprising that the weekend format has been slightly tweaked for this race, allowing more track time but an absolutely miniscule margin for error. Thursday sees one half hour practice session at midday, before the insanity of Friday descends. It’s all go as the Series contests a half hour practice at 09:00 with qualifying taking place at 10:30. With only an hour between sessions, a millimeter mistake could end your weekend before it’s even begun.
On Saturday it is business as usual with a 16:00 start for the 45 lap race. As in 2006, all sessions will be run on Bridgestone’s soft compound Slick Potenza tyres. On a track whose characteristics change not just by the day but by the minute, grip on the narrow streets is essential and on top of the levels of adhesion created by the Bridgestone rubber, the new 2007 aero-kit will also be called on for increased levels of downforce.