2015 Monaco Grand Prix - 21-24 May

[f1316]

Yes, kimi was fastest in q2 in Singapore last year; Martin brundle remarked how he seemed to come alive on the ss tyre (presumably it was the first time he had the kind of grip levels he's so sensitive to).

In Monaco alonso destroyed him in quali - I think it was actually a very good lap from alonso to get as close as he did to the front runners and only a tenth away from vettel. But Kimi looked significantly quicker in the race, which is unusual vs fernando who is probably better in races than quali.

Also don't actually think this is vettel's favourite place. He won in 2011, sure, but might well have lost that if not for the red flag, and Webber beat him pretty soundly in both 2010 and 2012.

[mikeerfol]

https://twitter.com/fergieweather/statu ... 7293348864

[ChrisF1]

Also don't actually think this is vettel's favourite place. He won in 2011, sure, but might well have lost that if not for the red flag, and Webber beat him pretty soundly in both 2010 and 2012.

To be fair to Vettel, Webber is a Monaco specialist:

Won Monaco F3000 in 2001
Qualified 9th in the Jag in 2003, a car that the Constructors Champ will show was 7th best.
Finished 3rd in the 2005 Williams
Qualified 2nd in 2006 (Beating Rosberg by some way who is no slouch around Monaco) and was on for a podium, maybe a win.
2008 - 4th in an average Red Bull
2009 - 5th whilst Brawn were still superior, best non Brawn or Ferrari
2010 - Won
2011 - 4th
2012 - Won
2013 - Podium

[Vasconia]

https://twitter.com/fergieweather/statu ... 7293348864

A wet thursday willl not make anyone happy. I hope it changes and the rain comes on the weekend.

[MercedesAMGSpy]

Oh then we will see no cars out again during FP in Monaco.....

[Andres125sx]

Sorry I don't have a source (I think I may have heard it on Sky) but apparently Stevens has a different and faster car than Merhi's. I'm not sure what exactly is different, but comparisons may not be fair for this reason. Maybe someone has more detail on this?

Merhi weight a lot more than Stevens, and that´s a real disadvantage since Manor is using 2014 car with modded nose to comply with 2015 rules, so they´re well over min weight.

Usually teams use ballast, so a heavy driver is not a big issue (only weight distribution since ballast goes lower), but not the case for Manor, so Merhi has some tenths disadvantage with Stevens only due to weight. Manor asked Merhi to slim down as much as possible

Also the private simulation time Stevens pay himself, so two reasons for him to be faster

About Merhi´s talent, he supposedly is more talented than Sainz Jr, or that´s what most people said on previous seasons.

And no, he doesn´t put a cent on Manor, supposedly he wouldn´t race in Spain, so it´s a surprise he will even race in Monaco, that´s the reason he still participate in WS 3.5

[Andres125sx]

By most standards, the 2004 cars were faster. They hold the lap records at most circuits that have remained unaltered, and even remembering refuelling changes, were also faster in quali.

I know what you're saying, 2010 cars had more downforce, but that's compensated for by v10s. Also Monaco pole in 2011 was better than 2010 btw.

Alonso has always said F10 was best car he´s ever driven, and he was driving on 2004 season too. Maybe Ferrari was a better car in 2010 than Renault was in 2004, but that´s an opinion to take into account

[f1316]

By most standards, the 2004 cars were faster. They hold the lap records at most circuits that have remained unaltered, and even remembering refuelling changes, were also faster in quali.

I know what you're saying, 2010 cars had more downforce, but that's compensated for by v10s. Also Monaco pole in 2011 was better than 2010 btw.

Alonso has always said F10 was best car he´s ever driven, and he was driving on 2004 season too. Maybe Ferrari was a better car in 2010 than Renault was in 2004, but that´s an opinion to take into account

Yeah, but 'best' car might mean things like: best balance, most planted, better downforce etc.

Those things would probably make it 'feel better' than a car with a bit less downforce and more power, but the 150 extra horses might still make the latter faster over a lap. And in this case I don't see what evidence suggests the 2010 cars were quicker over a lap than the 2004s?

[SectorOne]

[mclaren111]

Amus:



What is this ?

Rear suspension ??

[Vasconia]

Sorry I don't have a source (I think I may have heard it on Sky) but apparently Stevens has a different and faster car than Merhi's. I'm not sure what exactly is different, but comparisons may not be fair for this reason. Maybe someone has more detail on this?

Merhi weight a lot more than Stevens, and that´s a real disadvantage since Manor is using 2014 car with modded nose to comply with 2015 rules, so they´re well over min weight.

Usually teams use ballast, so a heavy driver is not a big issue (only weight distribution since ballast goes lower), but not the case for Manor, so Merhi has some tenths disadvantage with Stevens only due to weight. Manor asked Merhi to slim down as much as possible

Also the private simulation time Stevens pay himself, so two reasons for him to be faster

About Merhi´s talent, he supposedly is more talented than Sainz Jr, or that´s what most people said on previous seasons.

And no, he doesn´t put a cent on Manor, supposedly he wouldn´t race in Spain, so it´s a surprise he will even race in Monaco, that´s the reason he still participate in WS 3.5

Absolutely, so its great if they let him drive once again. He will make two races in three days.

What I have read is that he is really good under rain conditions so I hope we can see him driving in a wet race.

[Jonnycraig]

Very skeptical that Mehri doesn't pay. Seems unlikely Manor could take a non-paying driver. Also seems unlikely that Manor regards Mehri as the very best available non-pay driver in the world.

He's a personal friend of John Booth who has said a couple of times now that he fought with the new investors to get Merhi in the second seat over another paydriver. Obviously his continued role at the team depends entirely on whether they now find a second big paydriver.

And no, he doesn´t put a cent on Manor, supposedly he wouldn´t race in Spain, so it´s a surprise he will even race in Monaco, that´s the reason he still participate in WS 3.5

Merhi is out of WSR for now, Alex Fontana is in at Pons.

[mikeerfol]

Grosjean will get a 5 place grid penalty due to changing gearbox.

[ChrisF1]

Grosjean will get a 5 place grid penalty due to changing gearbox.

Worst place to get one..

[iotar__]

Grosjean will get a 5 place grid penalty due to changing gearbox.

Good, I hope he won't forget to thank hard working team for their efforts. If they were smart they'd sell this one to Palmer since it's wasted anyway and keep one where it matters. Unless they already did anyway .