Monaco Grand Prix Build-Up

[Crucial_Xtreme]

I'll start this thread off with absolutely wonderful information from former Ferrari Engineer Luigi Mazzola on Monaco setup & other relevant technical info. Forza Ferrari!! :ferrarifl :ferrarifl :ferrarifl

Monaco setup and overall technical information from former Ferrari Engineer Luigi Mazzola

Back to Monaco and talk of upgrading. It is not easy to find a good balance in Monte Carlo, because the circuit is very full of slow curves, changes of direction, both fast (Piscine) slow (chicane after the tunnel), and average curves. All of this topped off with low grip dirty asphalt and short straights. All this makes it necessary to put on the car all the downforce available even at the expense of reducing the aerodynamic efficiency – in other words, accepting high drag levels – because what you earn in curve is much more than what you lose in the short straights.

From the point of view aerobalance, normally you set very low values, with little front wing, to give more stability to the rear. From the point of view of stiffness you choose springs and anti-roll bars very soft to give confidence to the driver and ensure that the car can pass over the bump and curbs without upsetting the car too much.

What matters most is for the driver to trust the car, so he can drive with the automatically almost unconscious so to speak. And this is a very important element. Initially: Set the car with understeer, and then gradually balance it to gain performance, it is a good exercise that requires a lot of collaboration between the pilot and his engineers. For example, there is another aspect that is typical of Monte Carlo: the steering angle. Thanks to the very slow curves of Loewe and Rascasse, cars must have a much more precise steering, so as to ensure - equal to steering wheel angle - an angle much larger wheels; would otherwise make the curve into two parts using the reverse gear!

All this, however, introduces a very important for the rider, a car much more responsive to steering making it harder to drive. Try to think of having the usual volume : If after you've used to adjust and then suddenly – every click – instead of increasing the volume of increase of 1 click, click, you would have surely 3 difficulty in finding the desired volume. The driver who will drive to Monte Carlo, where the walls are very close, with a much more direct steering must be adapted as soon as possible.

Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel, Kimi could make a difference and I'm curious to see Maldonado and Grosjean. As a Engineer, I always believe in the Red Bull and McLaren. But if Lotus would gain more winning mentality, they could win. Ferrari has a very strong driver in Alonso, and if Ferrari should strike a balance set-up, they could possibly win. All this, allowing tires.


This is only part of the article. It can be found in it's entirety Here (http://www.blogf1.it/2012/05/21/montecarlo-dove-il-pilota-puo-ancora-fare-la-differenza/) <-- He also speaks about the Spanish GP and what can surmised from what happened in Montmelo.

[Super M]

So then.....Anymore news on Ferrari and what they gonna bring to monaco.......Any new parts...?

:Hmm

[croALOfanclub]

http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Monaco/forecasts/latest


if it rains it's Alonso's race!

[Suzie]

No. No no no no no.
It CANNOT rain. I CANNOT get soaked at a racetrack AGAIN :-!

[Crucial_Xtreme]

So then.....Anymore news on Ferrari and what they gonna bring to monaco.......Any new parts...?

:Hmm

Yes Pat Fry said there will be a few small updates for Monaco.

[Greig]

No. No no no no no.
It CANNOT rain. I CANNOT get soaked at a racetrack AGAIN :-!

I am doing a rain dance :-D

[Suzie]

I am doing a rain dance :-D

No. I have suffered enough.

[Super M]

Yes Pat Fry said there will be a few small updates for Monaco.


Thanks Crucial.....appreciate your reply..:thumb

[Hornet]

No. No no no no no.
It CANNOT rain. I CANNOT get soaked at a racetrack AGAIN :-!


I am doing a rain dance :-D

:lol

Have fun. Hopefully it will be a great race for both Ferrari drivers. A podium or 2 finishes would be amazing.

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Don't think i've seen a proper wet race at Monaco, so here's me hoping it's wet, actually very wet, that would make qualifying so much more interesting.

[zakfourie]

97 was a good wet race! :love

[Jose Lorca]

http://www.auto.it/res/aperture/as21/4.jpg


A train to catch the fly.

Golden opportunity for Alonso and Ferrari: The challenge of an accused where a set of good used tires has more developments. That still absent on F2012.

I wonder if they realize, the Ferrari, the fortune they have. In a championship "global" the Reds would have paid heavily to this point in the season, the flaws of the project F2012. Instead, Alonso presents this week in Monaco at the top of the standings. Not a case and not even all of her, even if any, in his position today would be certainly much more backwards. The fact that, once more, you know making a forecast on the eve of Alonso. When the Spaniard said: "We hope that this year the first race did not win just one rider," in reality he was drawing in the future development of this crazy, crazy season. In which to run the tires better and more opponents in the long and the key to winning races. If a veto that Monte Carlo and the track where the driver can make a difference, then Alonso has another trump in his hand. Its roster in Monaco and type "make-or-die" has won twice with Renault and McLaren, and we finished second last year with Ferrari, I also collected a fool glaring. See the blow in the tunnel of 2004 or the free practice two years to when I hurt the body of the Ferrari and had to start from the back undermining the race from the beginning.

Ferrari has yet to need him. Because it is futile to expect radical developments on the car in the short term. This weekend, we'll only adjustments on the F2012, so specific to a particular track, but not "performance". From the suspension modified to decrease the turning radius, the wings at high load, the proposed amendment is routine for all teams devise the streets of the Principality. Something more will arrive in Canada, but even here one can not dream too. Do not expect - not yet - works to the internal dynamics, the radiator and the air vents. Those that would serve to reduce the internal resistance and, therefore, increase the maximum speed.

Meanwhile, however, these changes would be needed just to Monaco, as well out of the tunnel will be hard to get close to 300km/h. What we do...

[Hornet]

Wow, I probably am the only one who doesn't know this yet this but I just found out that today is Ferrari's anniversary in Formula 1, and it was at Monaco GP :-E


Maranello, 21 May – It all began exactly on this day, the 21st May. Sixty two years ago, on this very same circuit that wends its way through the Principality of Monaco and which this coming Sunday, hosts the sixth round of the 2012 World Championship, Scuderia Ferrari made its debut in the Formula 1 World Championship.

http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formula1/News/Headlines/Pages/120521-f1-monaco-21-may-1950-where-it-all-began.aspx
Monaco is a truly special race for Ferrari. :ferrarifl

[Rob]

Monaco, 21 May 1950: where it all began5.21.2012

Maranello, 21 May – It all began exactly on this day, the 21st May. Sixty two years ago, on this very same circuit that wends its way through the Principality of Monaco and which this coming Sunday, hosts the sixth round of the 2012 World Championship, Scuderia Ferrari made its debut in the Formula 1 World Championship. There were four Ferraris entered in the race: two 125 F1s, in the GP49 evolution, entrusted to the Italians Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi and two 125 F1s for France’s Raymond Sommer and the British driver Paul Whitehead. At the end of the race, Ascari had managed to finish second behind Fangio’s Alfa Romeo, while Sommer was fourth; Villoresi had to retire on lap 63 while Whitehead had failed to start, because of an engine problem.

Many years have passed since then and the Scuderia is the only team to have taken part in every championship at this the sport’s highest level. To date, it has competed in 836 Grands Prix, taken 217 wins, 205 pole positions and 228 fastest race laps. These numbers are all records as are the 16 Constructors’ championships and 15 Drivers’ titles on the Maranello roll of honour: no other team has won more than Ferrari.

Today, the Scuderia is making last minute preparations prior to sending off the two F2012 cars to Monaco where, starting on Thursday morning, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso will try and add to the tally of 47 podium finishes in this race, albeit only eight of them on the topmost step. The Monegasque event is one of the ones that has gone the longest without seeing a Red victory: the last one dates back to Michael Schumacher’s in 2001. Since then, there has been just one pole, for Massa in 2008 and a lot of podium finishes, the last one being Fernando Alonso’s second place last year. Unusual, given that no less than six times (2002 Barrichello, from 2004 to 2006 Schumacher, 2008 Raikkonen and 2009 Massa) a Ferrari has set the fastest race lap.

It will be tough to break that negative tradition this weekend, but one thing is certain, nothing will be left to chance because, as Chairman Montezemolo stated today in a letter addressed to all the Scuderia staff, “Winning the Championship depends only and exclusively on ourselves, on our desire to show we are the best.”
http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formula1/News/Headlines/Pages/120521-f1-monaco-21-may-1950-where-it-all-began.aspx

[ferrari4life]

i honestly hate this race.. its just glamour and a procession of cars. Why cant we have some better tracks kept instead of this..
Oh wait its the money isnt it.

[FerrariF60]

i honestly hate this race.. its just glamour and a procession of cars. Why cant we have some better tracks kept instead of this..
Oh wait its the money isnt it.

totally...i too am NOT too keen of Monaco other then the history behind it...but like you said, there are way better tracks out there to race on then Monaco..
but i guess Bernie is all about cash in his pocket...lol

and what i hate the most, is that they are gonna alternate SPA with France from next year, instead of just removing Valencia (which is a total waste of a track) and keep the LEGENDARY SPA, year after year.....ghrrrrrnrrrhrhr

OK rant over now

[sagi58]

I'll start this thread off with absolutely wonderful information from former Ferrari Engineer Luigi Mazzola on Monaco setup & other relevant technical info. Forza Ferrari!!

...This is only part of the article. It can be found in it's entirety Here (http://www.blogf1.it/2012/05/21/montecarlo-dove-il-pilota-puo-ancora-fare-la-differenza/) <-- He also speaks about the Spanish GP and what can surmised from what happened in Montmelo. Thanks for that link!! It was a great read!! Interesting to see the difference between the two languages!
Oh, at the risk of sounding condescending, your translation is superb!! ;-)

[Rishu]

Fernando Alonso's Monaco GP Helmet detail:

Back:

http://i46.tinypic.com/vyqhl3.jpg

Front:

http://i48.tinypic.com/2llophc.jpg

[croALOfanclub]

No. No no no no no.
It CANNOT rain. I CANNOT get soaked at a racetrack AGAIN :-!


that is not really important!all Massa's fans are soaked allready this year anyways!:-D

what is important is lower track temps and rain ussualy helps whit that!

[sav_pap]

4812

Monaco is a very very very beautiful track.!!!!!!:thumb

[Ferrarichamp]

Let's hope we can finally win this race, 10 years is too long.

[Hornet]

4812

Monaco is a very very very beautiful track.!!!!!!:thumb

What a tease. I click on that picture and its the same small picture.:furious

:-G

[Pekka]

iPad app will be released at Monaco..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOHCrW39Zy4&feature=youtu.be

[medeni73]

and we mustn't forget probably the best ever build-up photo for Monaco and pretty much everything else that needs building-up.... :)))))
http://image2.sina.com.cn/ty/up/2006-04-11/U574P6T64D18900F1325DT20060413003501.jpg

[Pekka]

and we mustn't forget probably the best ever build-up photo for Monaco and pretty much everything else that needs building-up.... :)))))
http://image2.sina.com.cn/ty/up/2006-04-11/U574P6T64D18900F1325DT20060413003501.jpg

Thanks for your contribution! ;-)

[Nova]

Monaco, 21 May 1950: where it all began5.21.2012

Maranello, 21 May – It all began exactly on this day, the 21st May. Sixty two years ago, on this very same circuit that wends its way through the Principality of Monaco and which this coming Sunday, hosts the sixth round of the 2012 World Championship, Scuderia Ferrari made its debut in the Formula 1 World Championship. There were four Ferraris entered in the race: two 125 F1s, in the GP49 evolution, entrusted to the Italians Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi and two 125 F1s for France’s Raymond Sommer and the British driver Paul Whitehead. At the end of the race, Ascari had managed to finish second behind Fangio’s Alfa Romeo, while Sommer was fourth; Villoresi had to retire on lap 63 while Whitehead had failed to start, because of an engine problem.

Many years have passed since then and the Scuderia is the only team to have taken part in every championship at this the sport’s highest level. To date, it has competed in 836 Grands Prix, taken 217 wins, 205 pole positions and 228 fastest race laps. These numbers are all records as are the 16 Constructors’ championships and 15 Drivers’ titles on the Maranello roll of honour: no other team has won more than Ferrari.

Today, the Scuderia is making last minute preparations prior to sending off the two F2012 cars to Monaco where, starting on Thursday morning, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso will try and add to the tally of 47 podium finishes in this race, albeit only eight of them on the topmost step. The Monegasque event is one of the ones that has gone the longest without seeing a Red victory: the last one dates back to Michael Schumacher’s in 2001. Since then, there has been just one pole, for Massa in 2008 and a lot of podium finishes, the last one being Fernando Alonso’s second place last year. Unusual, given that no less than six times (2002 Barrichello, from 2004 to 2006 Schumacher, 2008 Raikkonen and 2009 Massa) a Ferrari has set the fastest race lap.

It will be tough to break that negative tradition this weekend, but one thing is certain, nothing will be left to chance because, as Chairman Montezemolo stated today in a letter addressed to all the Scuderia staff, “Winning the Championship depends only and exclusively on ourselves, on our desire to show we are the best.”
http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formula1/News/Headlines/Pages/120521-f1-monaco-21-may-1950-where-it-all-began.aspx

:thumb:thumb:thumb

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Fernando is the simulator for Monaco. I think the team has a chance to do well in the Principality.

https://p.twimg.com/AthBNzTCMAEbZcz.jpg

[Hornet]

Sigh... Wished I had one of those in my living room.

[Rob]

Monaco GP – A challenge for seventy years5.22.2012

At the previous round of the championship in Barcelona, where Fernando Alonso produced yet another fantastic drive in his Ferrari F2012 to take second place, the majority of teams had introduced new packages to coincide with the first European race of the season. If some elements had failed to deliver a clear picture of their benefits, there was usually talk of waiting to see how they would perform in Canada. Had the designers and engineers forgotten that, before going to Montreal, the F1 circus stops off at its most famous venue in Monte Carlo? Not at all, it’s just that the Monaco Grand Prix throws up such a unique technical challenge it simply does not fit into the overall picture of how the season is evolving. “You have to set the car up quite differently for Monaco,” explains Scuderia Ferrari’s Technical Director, Pat Fry. “On the street circuit you don’t attack all the corner entries as hard as you would on a normal circuit, because the barriers are so close to the track at the entry and exit. However, trying to get the right car balance is as difficult as at the other venues.”

The Monaco Grand Prix is older than the World Championship itself and in fact it celebrates its seventieth birthday this year. One element that has not changed in all that time is that the lap is short and very slow, the slowest on the calendar in fact. “This means it is more about downforce and less about efficiency and engine power,”” continues Fry. “You need as much downforce as possible and a car that behaves consistently.” Even if Monaco is unique, many of the updates introduced on the F2012 in Spain were aimed specifically at generating aerodynamic downforce and will therefore prove useful this weekend. “As a result of a lot of work in the wind tunnel and on the track, we had a lot of updates including a different front wing, floor, turning vanes, brake ducts and a new rear wing. All in all, we’re reasonably happy with the update we made, but obviously we’ve still got a long way to go and we have to keep on working at a similar rate. In fact, we will have a few more small updates this weekend to add a bit more downforce to the car and, as usual this season, it will be interesting to see how each car uses its tyres.”

It is true that tyre behaviour has been the single most influential factor on the evolution of the five races so far this year and Monaco’s unique characteristics will not make this weekend’s race immune to that. “We have seen that just a small change in track temperature can have a large effect on tyre performance,” maintains the English engineer. “And apart from this sensitivity to temperature, they are also quite sensitive to the way the drivers use them. In a race where three pit stops would be considered the norm, if the driver is very very careful on the rear tyres, you might be able to keep them in good enough shape to do just two stops. But if you push hard on the tyres they degrade and a driver can damage them a little bit by pushing. So, when you are fighting in traffic, you take more out of the tyres than you would do if you’re running in clean air.” Given that Monaco is synonymous with traffic, whether or not a race is taking place, finding that elusive clean air is the main challenge for the strategists. “Monaco is a short lap, so your thinking time is reduced,” says Fry turning to the subject of race planning. “While you look at all the usual factors such as tyres degradation, you have to be very aware of trying to keep the drivers out of traffic so as to try and give them a clear run. So if you are starting from the mid-field it’s always a challenge, therefore starting at the front of the grid makes the job a little bit easier.”

After two pairs of back-to-back races to kick start the season, we are now back in the classic routine of a race every fortnight all the way through to the Germany-Hungary double-header at the end of July. Therefore, while for Fry and the team the immediate focus is on Monaco, the work never stops on developing the car for each coming race. “In the medium term we are constantly driving to bring in updates, as indeed is the case for all teams,” reveals Fry. “For Canada, we will have a different rear wing and front wing package, which will deliver a slightly different downforce level for this circuit. Work on the exhaust system is ongoing and we have new versions to test. Having learned a lot at the start of the year, we were able to address some of our problems at the Mugello test prior to the Spanish GP and I think now we have a good understanding of our car, trying to add performance to it in a constant drive that will go all the way through to the final race.”

As for this weekend, on the streets of the Principality, Fry believes that much of the improvement in lap times over the weekend comes from having good trouble free practice sessions, which allows the drivers to reacquaint themselves with the idiosyncrasies of the circuit, gaining confidence with each passing lap. Both the Scuderia’s current drivers have proved they have that confidence. In fact, Fernando Alonso will be trying to record a third Monegasque win with a third different team, having won twice before in 2006 and 2007. The Spaniard also finished second last year and has twice started from pole position. As for Felipe Massa, he has two third places to his name, in 2007 and ’08, the latter after he started from pole, while the following year, he set the race fastest lap. As for the Prancing Horse, the most famous team in the sport does not have the greatest record at the most famous race in the world, with a total of just eight wins since the championship began in 1950. In a topsy turvy season, could this be the weekend for Scuderia Ferrari to end a Monegasque drought that dates back to Michael Schumacher’s win in 2001?

http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formula1/News/Pages/120522-f1-monaco-a-challenge-for-seventy-years.aspx

[Rob]

Not been too excited about Monaco past few years, but this year im getting excited about it.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Fernando's new Monaco helmet

https://p.twimg.com/Athw23FCAAM7vj7.jpg

[scuderiafan]

Looks like one of my soldiers. ;-)

A storm trooper.

[sagi58]

Fernando's new Monaco helmet

That's a lotta gold, eh? :Hmm

[Dino]

What a tease. I click on that picture and its the same small picture.:furious

:-G

Here it is Hornet.:wave:wave
http://formulagirls.tumblr.com/tagged/Schumacher

[sagi58]

It's pretty obvious that cars are not necessarily what turns the crank of some members!! :Hmm

[Hornet]

Here it is Hornet.:wave:wave
http://formulagirls.tumblr.com/tagged/Schumacher
Thanks :thumb... wait, you read my mind:-E


It's pretty obvious that cars are not necessarily what turns the crank of some members!! :Hmm
:oops

[Alessandra]

Wednesday is the best day for star gazing in my (limited) experience at Monaco. A.M. they don't quite have the paddock sorted so if you're very naughty you can nip in and have a wander around before the usual authorities gently start to round up the waifs and strays.:-D

If you sit in one of the cafes beside the paddock, even when the wire netting's gone up, you have unrestricted and close views of all personnel moving between paddock and pit lane. Great for snaps!

[Kingdom Hearts]

That's a lotta gold, eh? :Hmm


That's a lotta white.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

New Monaco spec FW on the bottom. The top wing was used in Spain

http://img4.auto-motor-und-sport.de/Ferrari-GP-Monaco-23-Mai-2012-19-fotoshowImageNew-cb2b895-598052.jpg

[Greig]

what's different?

[ferrari4life]

the top of the wing has a curve in it?

[Fer12]

the top of the wing has a curve in it?

There is an increase in the surface area of the main plane...

[Crucial_Xtreme]

what's different?

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/303/monacodiff2.jpg

The end plate is different at the trailing edge with the flap perpendicular to the ground, versus an angle of the top wing. The top element no longer has a curve/dip in it and it's shape it different as it gets closer to the pylons. The top innermost cascade element has no slot in the bottom wing, but there is a slot in the top one.

We will probably see a wing different to these two, they're just not showing it before it gets used on track.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Some pictures from today. Enjoy. Forza Ferrari!


http://www.formula1.com/wi/0x0/sutton/2012/d12mon165.jpg

Roll Hoop & Camera
http://www.formula1.com/wi/0x0/sutton/2012/d12mon166.jpg

Rear end detail
http://www.formula1.com/wi/0x0/sutton/2012/d12mon171.jpg
http://www.formula1.com/wi/0x0/sutton/2012/d12mon172.jpg

FWEP
http://www.formula1.com/wi/0x0/sutton/2012/d12mon169.jpg

[Naeem]

I hate to say it but the Monaco GP will likely be won by a Renault powered car as they've a traction control advantage.

[Rob]

Monaco GP - Massa: “I hope my 2012 championship will begin here”5.23.2012

Monaco, 23 May – It was a calmer than usual Monaco paddock that hosted the pre-practice day conferences in the Ferrari media hospitality unit: after two years of having to rush from Barcelona to get set-up in the tightest paddock on the calendar, this year, teams have been able to calmly build their racing world as the Spanish and Monaco GPs return to being a fortnight apart. For Felipe Massa, getting to work today involves a very short trip from his own apartment. “I hope this weekend is where one can consider that my 2012 championship will begin,” stated the Brazilian when asked about his difficulties in the five opening races. “Especially as this really is my second home race, as I live here for much of the year. So I hope this weekend goes better than the previous races. This is a different race to pretty much all of them, with the exception of Singapore, which is a bit similar and therefore I hope it can be a new beginning for me. I have had a few difficult times in my career and maybe the start to this season has been the most difficult so far. So, we need to get out of this situation, to get back on a good direction and that is what I am concentrating on. I have had to deal with the technical side of the problem, but also it causes a mental side, as it is not easy to deal with this situation. But if you fix one, then it is easier to fix the other.”

Asked for an overview of the season and if one team now looked to be favourite, the Brazilian Ferrari man admitted he could not yet see a clear picture. “Normally the best cars will come out on top, but at the moment, it’s hard to be sure exactly which ones are the best. At the moment, it is hard to tell which car is capable of scoring the most points in every race. That’s because we can expect the situation to change often from one track to another, as we have seen with cars that should have been strong at some tracks this year not matching that expectation. Normally, after a few races, a championship starts to take shape and you can see the direction it is going in. But this year it is much harder to get a clear picture.”

As for this weekend, Felipe was equally cautious in his assessment of the prospects for the F2012: “if we accept that two of the F2012’s weak points – even if we have made improvements – are traction and top speed, then at least top speed is not an issue on this slow street track, so that could be a help for us here,” he offered. “As usual, we must wait and see what happens in practice before understanding the situation.”

[Rob]

Monaco GP - Alonso: “I agree with the President, it’s up to us”5.23.2012

Montecarlo, 23 May – Fernando Alonso has won twice here in the Principality and he was clearly in up-beat mood when he met the press in the Ferrari media hospitality unit this afternoon. He was asked first about the open letter addressed to everyone within Ferrari, by Luca di Montezemolo earlier this week. “Our President spoke about our chances and always wants to motivate everyone at Ferrari,” began the Spaniard. “We know we were not so competitive in the first five races, but all the same we got enough points to put us in a good position to fight for the title. I completely agree with the President, it’s up to us. If we do a good job of improving the car and making it quicker, then we have a chance, but if we don’t and are not fast enough, then we will never win the championship this year. It is a motivation for everyone at Ferrari to know that, despite the bad start, we do have that chance. Everyone at the factory is giving 100% and hopefully that will work.”

Fernando often has a unique perspective on racing and his views on this most famous race are certainly not the norm among his fellow drivers. “I don’t think the track is particularly difficult or interesting compared to other street circuits like Singapore or amazing tracks like Suzuka or Spa where you really enjoy the lap,” he began. “Here it is not a case of enjoying the lap so much in terms of driving, but the whole weekend is fantastic in terms of the atmosphere, the crowd, the paddock and the pit lane itself. It is truly unique in every way, being the most prestigious and glamorous race on the calendar with a lot of history behind it. You have closer contact with the fans here and you walk from the paddock and you meet fans that way and there are also many events with sponsors who take advantage of the unique opportunities here. Whenever you see advertising anywhere in the world, with video games for example, the advertising always features a photo from Monaco, one car passing another in the tunnel. The track is therefore the least important factor of the Monaco Grand Prix, with everything around it having a greater importance. We all like to win here because of that, because winning one time in your life here in Monaco is something that will be remembered forever. Hopefully, if we have a good race here, then we will pick up points that will be welcome for our championship hopes. We could dream a bit more and consider the victory: if that happened we will be extremely happy, firstly because it has been many years since Ferrari has won in Monte Carlo and from a personal point of view, I could become the only driver to win for three different teams. I have a long term contract with Ferrari, so if that does not happen this year, I know it will come sooner or later.”

http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formula1/News/Headlines/Pages/120523-f1-monaco-gp-alonso-i-agree-with-the-president-it-s-up-to-us.aspx

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

I have a good feeling for this weekend. Even though we suffer from Traction I still think we have a chance to win. If Ferrari qualifies in the first row, they have a wonderful chance to win, but that will be tough. Like Alonso, i dream that a win awaits us on Sunday.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Looks like Ferrari are using the 2011 Exhaust Collector. Very interesting!!

http://www.formula1.com/wi/0x0/sutton/2012/d12mon273.jpg


Edit: Actually the 2011 Exhaust Collector was first used at the Spanish GP.

[Nova]

Amazing pics...thanks. Id love to b at this one!

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

@Crucial

What purpose would the exhaust collector serve especially since we are not blowing the diffuser anymore nowadays?

[Crucial_Xtreme]

@Crucial

What purpose would the exhaust collector serve especially since we are not blowing the diffuser anymore nowadays?

It will help when off throttle which is mainly low speed corners where we lack the most traction. There is still some off throttle things going on with the Renault engine for instance which is due in part to how they're made. But it's also part of the reason why they're so good in the low speed high torque situations. So while we're not blowing the diffuser we're still blowing the exhaust somewhere so it can be of benefit.

Here's a link to the Renault engines and their overrun techniques --> http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/renaultsport-technical-feature-on-engine-mappingtyre-management/

[steelstallions]

Never too old to realise a dream come true :-)

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

It will help when off throttle which is mainly low speed corners where we lack the most traction. There is still some off throttle things going on with the Renault engine for instance which is due in part to how they're made. But it's also part of the reason why they're so good in the low speed high torque situations. So while we're not blowing the diffuser we're still blowing the exhaust somewhere so it can be of benefit.

Here's a link to the Renault engines and their overrun techniques --> http://scarbsf1.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/renaultsport-technical-feature-on-engine-mappingtyre-management/

Thanks! :thumb

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Hi Morning all.

No one made a thread for free practice 1 or 2?

~Nope, why don't you make one ?:thumb

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Almost there now, second weekend since our relaunched Ferrari, let's hope all goes well!

[Hornet]

Luca DM dropped by at Monaco on Friday. Didn't stay for the race weekend though.


Monaco, 25 May – Luca di Montezemolo was on a flying visit to the Monaco Grand Prix today, making the most of the traditional day off from racing here. The Ferrari President came to the Principality for a series of high level meetings and of course, to meet up with the team, as it tackles the sixth round of the World Championship. Montezemolo spent a lot of time with Team Principal Stefano Domenicali to go over the current state of play. He also met the two drivers, Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso before leaving the paddock around four in the afternoon.

http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formula1/News/Headlines/Pages/120525-montezemolo-s-lightning-trip-to-monaco.aspx