Formula One ( F1 )

Monaco practice is go. Maybe a Lotus win?

Lotus and Ferrari both looking very good, even Massa put in a cracking lap at the end!

Jenson is fastest so far in practise, so I predict Lewis to be on pole, since the Mclaren is obviously going to be very competitive here. If they don't hand out free places anymore, due to poor pitstops and whatnot, McLaren could be looking at a win. This is purely a fan's perspective.

I'll be watching Williams and Lotus closely though. It really is the closest season of F1 I've ever seen.

One thing I despise is that reports on FP sessions really don't give you any insight as to what actually happened. For example in FP2, Grosjean was comfortably quickest and as everyone started to try out the super-softs, the rain came down and Button was the only one to actually do a hot lap on them. Massa's quick lap at the end was 1:26 something which was almost a second quicker than the second fastest guy at that point. But again none of the reports seem to mention it, they'd rather make headlines about the only guy on super-softs being about 0.3 seconds quicker than 2nd place in a dry spell which lasted for about 20 minutes.

Can't we get some proper reporting on these sessions?

Should be a fantastic race though, i'll be working so will unfortunately have to watch the repeat.

Can't we get some proper reporting on these sessions?

Proper reporting from the BBC? Ha. Good joke

Proper reporting from the BBC? Ha. Good joke

I think the BBC have done a highly accomplished job over the past few years in F1 reporting. Not perfect maybe, but still so good that SKY have copied their format. Its a sign of respect for the job that the Beeb had done, and how popular the delivery was with fans.

Third practise is over and these were the results:

1 N Rosberg Mercedes
2 F Massa Ferrari
3 S Vettel Red Bull
4 F Alonso Ferrari
5 R Grosjean Lotus
6 J Button McLaren
7 L Hamilton McLaren
8 M Schumacher Mercedes
9 S Perez Sauber
10 M Webber Red Bull
11 J Vergne Toro Rosso
12 K Raikkonen Lotus
13 K Kobayashi Sauber
14 D Ricciardo Toro Rosso
15 N Hulkenberg Force India
16 B Senna Williams
17 H Kovalainen Caterham
18 P Di Resta Force India
19 V Petrov Caterham
20 T Glock Marussia
21 P Maldonado Williams
22 C Pic Marussia
23 N Karthikeyan HRT
24 P de la Rosa HRT

Maldonardo and Di Resta decided to bump their cars against the armco (*sp), so will need repairs before Qualifying. So, who's really fast, and who's sandbagging? Any predictions for Qualifying, and for the race? And, is Massa finally been geed up, and has found his racing shoes?

Maldonado was a right cock in FP3 - drove straight into Perez who was even getting out of his way, then binned it into the barriers breaking his front wing and left rear wheel off, that's going to be a pain to fix for Quali!

So hard to call but I predict Lotus at the front. Glad it's not raining for Qualifying!

I think it will be very, very tight in qualifying. In the race, its going to be pit stops and tyre strategies that will decide the winner.

Where are all the Massa naysayers now...?

"he's not good enough" etc...

I think Massa must have had a proper giddy-up kick up the arse.

Must admit I didn't expect that quali result. This season is certainly consistent in being inconsistent. Gonna be another great race.

Massa is still shit.

There, I said it.

Amazing what a bit of negative press will do to two drivers who have hitherto been phoning in performances.

Now what the fuck is happening to Button?

Fuck me - you really do beggar belief: if Massa is so bad why not do what the Italians do with everything and buy him out and fuck him off?

imagines BQ attempting qualifying in a Renault Espace

He's got a good chance in an Espace

ALAIN PROST Essai renault espace f1 - YouTube

Well done Schumey. If not for his penalty, he'd be on pole. The whole thing was a big surprise. So, Webber on pole. Its going to be a great race.

Any predictions?

I forsee Hamilton and Vettel showing frustration in the race, and maybe Hamilton will drive into something.

Edit:

Seems like I'm wrong. They both looking for the long strategy, and not going for the nip and tuck. Pity.

Second edit:

Really disappointing, processional race. Congrats to Webber, but if Monaco no longer affords overtaking, it should be taken off the calendar. Its not racing, not as I see it.

I can't believe you didn't have a pole for how long it would take me to hear the news and come here to gloat. #standardsareslipping

I'm pleased with the results this weekend.

I'd also like to see Webber as world champion.

I think Canada will have a great race. Lotus will be looking for a win, as will Mercedes, Red Bull, and McLaren. If it rains, I'll fancy Lewis and Alonso. If it's dry, I have a feeling that Mercedes will be the team at the front.

One thing will be for sure, and that it will be a proper race. Lots of overtaking, and Lewis driving like a demon. Game on! :-)

Triple Formula One champion Nelson Piquet was fond of saying that racing at Monaco was "like trying to cycle round your living room", but added that "a win here was worth two anywhere else".[28]

So that's two wins to Webber and a bike reference to boot. Nice.

So if I ride around my living room what do I win?

The Welsh GP?