Best drive in Monaco?

Yoong Montoya · 29 May 2003, 21:57 (Ref:614142)

Of the ones I've seen it would be a tie between Michael Schumacher in 1997 and David Coulthard in 2002. I haven't seen any of the older Monaco races.

Lee Janotta · 29 May 2003, 23:26 (Ref:614209)

Gilles Villeneuve winning in 1981 in that turbocharged truck of a Ferrari.

Senna and Stefan Bellof in '84. Senna just sailed past Lauda in that hopeless uncompetitive Toleman-Hart, and both he and Bellof (in the Tyrrel-Cosworth) would have caught and passed Prost in another two laps if the Professor hadn't called in a favor.

Senna's magical pole lap in '89. "The perfect lap", if there is such a thing.

Senna again in '92, holding off Mansell with his rear tires torn to shreds from the abuse he put them through!

Panis in '96, a win absolutely no one could have ever predicted in the Ligier-Mugen/Honda.

racefanatic · 30 May 2003, 00:31 (Ref:614228)

Senna
Senna
Senna
Senna
Senna
Senna!

Logrence · 30 May 2003, 01:13 (Ref:614242)

I reckon the winner on Sunday will really have earned it this time round...

Lee Janotta · 30 May 2003, 01:15 (Ref:614244)

Unless he's in one of those red cars.

Ralf · 30 May 2003, 01:49 (Ref:614263)

Like him or not, TGF winning by nearly 1 minute in the wet in '97 was a pretty awesome display!

You don't see dominance like that too often.

Lee Janotta · 30 May 2003, 02:17 (Ref:614276)

No, I'll concede, that was quite a drive. Schumi did a magnificent job of sliding the Ferrari around the wet streets in '97.

Although he did nearly blow the whole thing when he didn't make the turn at St. Devote!

Mr V · 30 May 2003, 02:24 (Ref:614278)

Quote:

Originally posted by Yoong Montoya
David Coulthard in 2002.

I didn't think that DC's win in 2002 was that impressive, yes it was a good win, but it wasn't outstanding.

The best, Senna's win in 1992 against Mansell who was on top of his game. A brilliant race finish and one that will be talked about for years to come.(and i wasn't a Senna fan!)

Schummy · 30 May 2003, 02:32 (Ref:614281)

Great races have been mentioned here! I'll add another: the classic Rindt-Brabham fight in 1970. Jochen Rindt drove the car like a mad during the last lap. I remembered it when I saw Mansell's last effort in Jerez'86.

Ralf · 30 May 2003, 02:32 (Ref:614282)

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee Janotta
Although he did nearly blow the whole thing when he didn't make the turn at St. Devote!

Only because he had so much time he went through the drive thru at McDonalds & was taking the pickle off his cheeseburger & lost it!

twig · 30 May 2003, 05:03 (Ref:614344)

taking off the pickle aye? so he is human like us after all

Bleu · 30 May 2003, 06:43 (Ref:614384)

I would say Panis in 1996. He overtook Brundle, Häkkinen, Herbert and Irvine during a race.

I don't put Schuey 97 that high because he got huge advantage by changing a car just before the start.

MrSal · 30 May 2003, 07:15 (Ref:614418)

Villeneuve in the wildly handling Ferrari in the early 80's. I've never seen such car control. He seemed to gently brush the barrier at the start of the pit straight every lap.

Armco Bender · 30 May 2003, 07:33 (Ref:614437)

Rindt in 1970 or Graham Hill in '65.

Red · 30 May 2003, 07:54 (Ref:614450)

Did anyone mentioned Bernoldi's drive in 2001?

DNQ · 30 May 2003, 08:13 (Ref:614474)

Actually, Red although I like McLaren very much, that was a good drive by Bernoldi, a drive which not enough people gave him credit for. It's my outstanding memory of him, anyway.

Red · 30 May 2003, 08:16 (Ref:614475)

Yes, so do I! It was a good drive.

DNQ · 30 May 2003, 08:20 (Ref:614477)

Hey we agree on something

Red · 30 May 2003, 09:35 (Ref:614521)

The end of the world is nigh..

Logrence · 30 May 2003, 10:06 (Ref:614539)

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee Janotta
Unless he's in one of those red cars.

Oh, for goodness sake.

Knowlesy · 30 May 2003, 10:20 (Ref:614563)

Oh, for goodness sake.

piquetfan · 30 May 2003, 10:52 (Ref:614595)

I've seen all the races from 1980 to last year. The best in my opinion were

1. Senna/Bellof in 1984, since it was very wet and they didn' have good cars. The interesting thing is that Bellof was as fast as Senna and less than 10 seconds adrift, so it would have been a very cool finish.

2. Schumacher in 1997. Again, it was very wet, and Schumacher was lapping 'only' 6 seconds faster than the second fastest driver (having been slower than the Williams in dry conditions). After 6 laps the difference was about half a minute. Following this race and others such as Spa (when he was 6-7 seconds faster than Fisi - 2nd place - per lap in the wet), Stirling Moss said that never in Formula One history there had been such a difference between the best driver and the others. This says as much about Schumacher as about the other drivers.

In general, the races in Monaco are very boring, and the best car tends to win. You need something special, such as a lot of rain (as in 1984, 1996 etc) or the favourite having a technical problem (such as Mansell in 1992 having to make an extra pitstop) to get an exciting race in this place. By the way, I watched qualifying yestaerday and the changes on the track didn't make much difference. It is still boring.

krt917 · 30 May 2003, 11:15 (Ref:614620)

Despite (or perhaps because!) the fact that Monaco is completely unsuitable for GPs, there have been some great races and drives there. The ones that immediately spring to my mind are:

1961 - Moss' win in Lotus 18 against sharknoses. Amazing to think that his race time (100 laps) was only 40 seconds off what his pole lap x 100 would be!

1965 - Graham had time to get out and push. Made even Stewart and Surtees look ordinary on that day.

1972 - One of the greatest wet weather drives ever, by JP Beltoise. I think he lapped everyone except Ickx - who was still a minute behind!

1981 - Villeneuve, all I can say is HOW!?

1997 - Schuey. Think this one has been covered already.

Obviously, Sennas record in itself was pretty impressive as well.

I always thought Damon's drive in 1996 was pretty good, though probably not as great as those above.

bradenc · 30 May 2003, 11:16 (Ref:614623)

Mansell 92, leading senna, puncture, comes out right behind senna. Senna wins. Best 10 laps I ever saw!

piquetfan · 30 May 2003, 11:26 (Ref:614631)

Quote:

Originally posted by bradenc
Mansell 92, leading senna, puncture, comes out right behind senna. Senna wins. Best 10 laps I ever saw!

I think it was as exciting as DC's tens of laps behind Bernoldi.

You can't compare the names, but the principle is the same. Even if you are faster you can't overtake, and unless you are supporting one of the drivers, sincerely, it is not exciting. I've seen much better drives by Senna and Mansell than Monaco 1992.

If those were the best laps you've seen, I am sorry for you. Try Brazil 1982, Monaco 1984, Hungary 1886, Adelaide 1986, Japan 1988, Brazil 1991, Barcelona 1996, Monaco and Spa 1997 etc.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Monaco t.v re-run	Dan Fielden	Formula One	2	24 May 2005 21:55
Monaco!!!!!!!!!	Knowlesy	Formula One	49	26 May 2003 15:45
Front wheel drive.... Or rear wheel drive?	paul c	Road Car Forum	45	9 Apr 2003 22:51
Monaco GP: Come say hello	RickP:Clio51	Trackside	26	30 May 2002 20:16
monaco gp	Mini Mika	Formula One	7	25 May 2001 02:58