[Official] Monaco Grand Prix 2024: Grand Prix Weekend Thread - Round 8 of 24

[Born Racer]

This is your place to discuss one of the classic races. Divisive in terms of how people feel about its entertainment. However, it is one of the flagship Grands Prix in history.

[Tourer]

Monaco as a race often falls down in terms of passing and what we normally look for but it is utterly special to be able to see the cars so close (even the camera positions are closer) as the drivers wrestle them around with millimetric precision to achieve their lap times.

Have no doubt, Monaco tests the judgement and bravery of the drivers like nowhere else and for that reason alone, I personally can't get enough of it.

We saw last year that it wasn't a happy hunting ground for Red Bull (remember Max pin balling the car off the barriers to beat Alonso's qual time) and the big session of the weekend (Saturday qualifying) might just end up being something of an epic.

Much to look forward to.

[S griffin]

Can't wait to see this race. With McLaren getting closer to Red Bull, we could be in for a close contest

[Greem]

F3 and F2 practice sessions yesterday were interrupted a lot by cars hitting the barrier at St Devote, both in the dry running and the later wet and then very very wet period.
It'll be interesting to see how the F1 cars get on - especially as some of the formerly tarmac run off areas have been cobbled!

[P38 in workshop]

The series would be diminished without Monaco,precisely because it is so unsuitable for this type of car.It means they have to work really hard not to be at the back and it knocks spots off racing round barriers in a car park as far as atmosphere is concerned.I'm just relieved I don't have to go there and deal with the banditry of the people selling accommodation,food and drink as it is even more extreme than at other places.It would be great to see three drivers from different teams on the podium again.

[bjohnsonsmith]

I do look forward to Monaco and it has a special place in F1, though I think that is more to do with nostalgia. Last year the weather intervened to spice things up, however looking at the forecast for Sunday, there will be no rain and no spice.

[steve_r]

I make an annual plea for the powers that be to make this race a "Race of Champions" style time trial event. Even the Porsche Super cup cars can't overtake around here. But I don't think my idea is very popular!

[Guthrie]

After looking at the starting grid, I feel we will see a very interesting race tomorrow.

[ChrisA]

Team Haas, both cars disqualified from qualifying because of illegal rear wings. Apparently it was DRS infringement . So both cars now start at the back of grid.

[chillibowl]

Coming from someone who is not a huge fan of the venue, I really enjoyed that sessio. the challenge was palpable today and sets up a great order for the race tomorrow. Finding myself unexpectedly excited!

[Aysedasi]

The race is Charlie's to lose. But he needs to get to Sainte Devote in the lead. Piastri will surely be giving it everything he's got....

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Team Haas, both cars disqualified from qualifying because of illegal rear wings. Apparently it was DRS infringement . So both cars now start at the back of grid.

From Mr Steiner… funny fella..

[bjohnsonsmith]

3rd time lucky for Charles Leclerc?

[fieldodreams79]

Holy shyte. That looks bad!

[bjohnsonsmith]

Red flag.


Perez' car has completely lost all its wheels. The track is covered in carbon fibre.


Magnussen tagged the back of Perez' car. Both Haas cars are out.

[Richard C]

Very optimistic pass attempt by Kevin. Especially given the potential for a race ban. And Ocon being Ocon.

Richard

[bjohnsonsmith]

A clean restart.

[chillibowl]

This lack of stops is interesting…with a few more seconds gap, Norris may be able to make a free stop?

[v8supes]

I know what to expect from Monaco so never complained about it before but this, this is stupidly bad.

[Greem]

Originally Posted by v8supes

I know what to expect from Monaco so never complained about it before but this, this is stupidly bad.

And there was me thinking that this has turned into a really interesting tactical race which could pan out in several different ways.

Different strategies, different speeds, Ferrari and McLaren definitely way ahead of both Mercedes and Red Bull. As Monaco races go this is a pretty good one.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Piastri has dropped back from Leclerc.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Congrats to Charles Leclerc.

[Greem]

Very much so. That was a really good controlled drive.

[AndrewCherry]

Originally Posted by Greem

And there was me thinking that this has turned into a really interesting tactical race which could pan out in several different ways.

Different strategies, different speeds, Ferrari and McLaren definitely way ahead of both Mercedes and Red Bull. As Monaco races go this is a pretty good one.

The problem was that even with that, as soon as the cars on different strategies got back to running together, it was back into single file procession. Not their fault - these cars simply don't work around here, not for actually racing each other. It's undeniable that it's a real test of a driver - but it's more of a time trial than a race.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by chillibowl

This lack of stops is interesting…with a few more seconds gap, Norris may be able to make a free stop?

I thought for a lap or two that he had the gap and that if he had switched tires he might have been able to challenge Carlos, but as Verstappen closed on Russell, Russell picked up the pace and the gap closed.

I truly almost fell asleep multiple times during the race.

Richard