Monaco GP 2009 - Monte Carlo

[joseff]

So outside the top 9, only Hamilton is planning to stop twice.
It's amazing how the Brawns aren't necessarily the fastest running on fumes, but fill'em up and they go!

[ISLAMATRON]

strange choice by Mcca/Hamilton... maybe they expect an early SC & pit with a long second stint 1 stopper

[Paul]

I really would like to hear reasoning behind McLaren's decision to keep Hamilton light on fuel. Even if he overtakes five cars in the first corner, he will get stuck behind heavy Nakajima. Or do they think KERS will help him overtake people after the tunnel?

[Metar]

Williams report 2.58kg per 5km, Monaco is 3.34km, so 1.72kg per lap:

Pos Driver Weight Fuel Laps until first stop
1 Jenson Button 647.5 39.5 23
2 Kimi Raikkonen 644 36 21
3 Rubens Barrichello 648 40 23
4 Sebastian Vettel 631.5 23.5 14
5 Felipe Massa 643.5 35.5 21
6 Nico Rosberg 642 34 20
7 Heikki Kovalainen 644 36 21
8 Mark Webber 646.5 38.5 22
9 Fernando Alonso 654 46 27
10 Kazuki Nakajima 668 60 35
11 Sebastien Buemi 670 62 36
12 Nelson Piquet 673.1 65.1 38
13 Giancarlo Fisichella 693 85 49
14 Sebastien Bourdais 699.5 91.5 53
15 Adrian Sutil 670 62 36
16 Lewis Hamilton 645.5 37.5 22
17 Nick Heidfeld 680 72 42
18 Robert Kubica 696 88 51
19 Jarno Trulli 688.3 80.3 47
20 Timo Glock 700.8 92.8 54

[hulmerist]

i'm glad they have, i'm fed up of what their computers say, heavy 1 stoppers are boring for people like hamilton

he'll probably bin it after a few laps trying to make up for qualifying but those laps will be exciting

i really didn't expect button to be on pole let alone with the fuel he has on board, despite being an admirer for ages i continue to be impressed by him and disappointed by rubens, few more races and he'll be in his familiar role

this is ferrari's best chance to win this season i expect though, kimi seems really up for it strangely, maybe he stopped by red bull for a drink

[djos]

Red Bull not as good as expected...by a mile.

Agreed.

CHRISTIAN HORNER, Team Principal:

“A frustrating final Q3, when unfortunately Nakajima cost Sebastian some time – he seemed extraordinarily slow despite Sebastian giving him plenty of room before starting his final lap. Mark managed to save a set of tyres with a very good time in Q2, but in Q3 he was unfortunately at the wrong end of a tenth of a second, but we believe we have a good strategy for tomorrow.”

[ISLAMATRON]

So outside the top 9, only Hamilton is planning to stop twice.
It's amazing how the Brawns aren't necessarily the fastest running on fumes, but fill'em up and they go!

Or the others just are slowed down more by the fuel weight

Or they try to save tires in Q2 for the race

[joseff]

I believe a one-stopper won't help Lewis much. He'll obviously start on options, to help overtaking early on. He'll then do... 55(?) laps with a heavy car and primes? That's not going to help.

Plus, SC tends to favor those with fuel. A first lap carnage will further tilt the balance towards Nakajima & Buemi.

Top priority for the top 9 would obviously be getting out of the pits ahead of Nakajima. Just *one* SC period anywhere within the first 15 laps, and they're pretty much screwed.

[Scotracer]

Kimi off the circuit on his fastest lap. Hmm.

[ISLAMATRON]

Kimi off the circuit on his fastest lap. Hmm.

do the inside wheels have to be touching the kerb?

[Scotracer]

"Provided a part of the outer wheel remains on the track when crossing the apex (closest point a car travels to the inside of a corner), we will be satisfied that the driver is using the track," Whiting reported. Teams have clearly taken the message onboard, however, as Jenson Button's radio communication proved when informed during the final practice session.

"If all parts of all four wheels are on or behind a kerb when they cross the apex, a report will be made to the stewards," Whiting continued. "Judges of fact have been appointed in key areas around the track to provide race control with immediate reports."

[Metar]

BBC coverage explained that drivers were told at least two wheels have to be on the actual track - and that's why Fisico had his time deleted (he then drove another one).

[modbaraban]

That shot doesn't show much. He's clear as long as his right wheels are on the white line.

[timbo]

Kimi off the circuit on his fastest lap. Hmm.

Oh yeah! Ferrari conspiracy!

[Moanlower]

Well, if I was Brawn I would have protested since his outer wheels are not in touch with the track. Touching curbs isn't good enough. [-X