2012 Monaco GP Thursday and Saturday Free Practice

[Massimo181]

Hi Morning all.

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

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Lol i made one just right now because i didn't think you'd make one, but i hope mine gets deleted and yours stays.
Anyway 3 mins left now....

[Hornet]

Holy crap, its today?

I totally forgot Monaco is Thursday :oops

[ruud king]

Yep, on Thursday and saturday they always practise, seems an old tradition that on friday there's a drivers ball and no practise...does someone have a life stream?

[Hornet]

This is working for me
http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/37144/1/f1---monaco-grand-prix-practice-1-live-stream-online.html

Aero paint on Alonso rear wing during his installation lap

[fronaldo]

http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/37144/1/f1---monaco-grand-prix-practice-1-live-stream-online.html

[Massimo181]

Thanks for making the thread!!

[ruud king]

Watching it now, thanks guys :clap

[alex1s]

Remind me why its on Thursday and not Friday here in Monaco ??

[Ferrari_Fanatic]

Where's Alonso & Massa??

[Ferrari_Fanatic]

yay!

[Ferrari_Fanatic]

Alonso fastest in 1st sector overall :)

[Hornet]

Alonso purple S1 but had to back out at S3

Now another purple S1 :-D

[fronaldo]

massa looks promising..hope more improvements for him

[stefa]

Vettel only 2 laps?! Saving tires or some problem?

[Crucial_Xtreme]

For you people who stream, it's best to keep the links to PM otherwise they get shut down quite quickly as Bernie has his people looking for such stuff taking money out of his pocket.


Monaco Front Bulkhead Detail
http://www.formula1.com/wi/0x0/sutton/2012/d12mon359.jpg

[stefa]

Purple S2!!!!

[Hornet]

Purple S2 as well

Right on to P1

[Ferrari_Fanatic]

p1

[stefa]

And best overall!
Forza Alonso!
Forza Ferrari!

[fronaldo]

alonso 1st..

[Ferrari_Fanatic]

anyones feed gone down?

[Hornet]

Mine is still working. Try refreshing the page, sometimes it seems to lose connection and needs to reload the page

[Greig]

Felipe Massa is getting a bit lairy in the Swimming Pool section, playfully clipping the barrier. He sheepishly reports the mistake to his team only for his race engineer Rob Smedley to reply: "Ah kisses are needed in Monaco, you need to do a nice kiss."

:rotfl

[Massimo181]

Vipbox working fine.

[Chicane]

grosjean is first

massa 4rth
alonso 5th

[Hornet]

Alonso went Purple S2 and S3, right back to P1 :-E



Rob Smedley to reply: "Ah kisses are needed in Monaco, you need to do a nice kiss."
:rotfl

LOL :lol

[Chicane]

now alonso P1

[fronaldo]

alonso 1st..

[stefa]

Massa looks promising...

[Massimo181]

Alonso looking good and also Massa looks quite good too!! Cmon!

[Chicane]

alonso another fastest time

[Massimo181]

1:16.265 Alonso

[medeni73]

we are looking pretty decent right now although I think that McLaren and Mercedes didnt show their cards yet...RBs seem to be fighting, they look pretty bad ATM...

[Hornet]

Another purple S2 there, we seems to be really strong at S2:Hmm

[stefa]

Alonso purple S1

[Greig]

Red flag

[Greig]

Heikki blows an engine filling the tunnel with smoke

[Massimo181]

Bang Goes Caterham Red Flag!!

[fronaldo]

alonso purple in S1 before red flag..

[Hornet]

That's it for FP1
Nice to see Alonso was setting purple in S1 too before red flag

Looks like Hekki was fogging the tunnel

[Ferrarichamp]

P1 :ferrarifl

[Fer12]

What looks even more promising is Massa's laptimes...Ferrari looking good for the weekend...:thumb

[medeni73]

Sauber and Williams are in pretty decent shape too so there are 7 teams that could get into Q3 so no driver mistakes permitted...

[Greig]

Good start to the weekend that's for sure :-)

[Gerhard Berger]

think we still have to be cautious. Remember we were fastest in FP1 for the last 2 years, yet we never got pole.

[Chicane]

so the exit speed are already fix and traction? or this is just because a specific special package for monaco?

[Greig]

so the exit speed are already fix and traction? or this is just because a specific special package for monaco?

I guess with everyone running high downforce then it negates our problems a little?

[fronaldo]

no practise start of the grid..but massa looks promising..

[stefa]

...and with the foretasted rain... Monaco GP will be roulette. Hopefully ball will stay at number 5!

[wacc]

Last year's best times:

FP1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:16.619
FP2 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:15.123
FP3 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:14.433
Q1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.207
Q2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:14.275
Q3 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:13.556

[Grillo]

Looks good for Ferrari. Marc Gené is quite confident with the car and both drivers. Problem is weather could and probably will change everything we've seen in FP1.

Forza!!! :ferrarifl :pass :ferrarifl

[alex1s]

Its going to be a hell of a fight tomorrow. I bet Kimi was cursing that he couldn't join the fun. McLaren will find their balance and williams is there as well. I believe that Mercedes and Red Bulls will not quite be a threat :-)
Forza Ferrari

[Greig]

Great old fashioned engine blow, bet McLaren are jealous they ain't doing it :-D

[croALOfanclub]

Last year's best times:

FP1 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:16.619
FP2 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:15.123
FP3 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:14.433
Q1 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.207
Q2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:14.275
Q3 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing-Renault 1:13.556

they will go slower this year!no off-throttle,here it's very much needed!

[Chicane]

I guess with everyone running high downforce then it negates our problems a little?

thats a damn good package if thats the case..hehe hope it carries tru till quali and the race

[wacc]

4813

[DJTaurus]

I dont understand why Senna deserves to be in an F1 car... look at Saubers which are both competitive and then you look a huge gap between Maldonado and Senna... i would prefer even Heidfeld over Senna.

[fronaldo]

i bet alonso can post around 1.15.8 or 1.15.9 if not for that red flag

[Chicane]

I dont understand why Senna deserves to be in an F1 car... look at Saubers which are both competitive and then you look a huge gap between Maldonado and Senna... i would prefer even Heidfeld over Senna.

senna has money heidfeld not much..that's why

[medeni73]

Does someone know what was last S1 time from Fernando before interruption?

[Rishu]

Rain is scheduled for Saturday, I don't know if we want it though...:Hmm

[Hornet]

I really don't want it to rain if we have the pace. We need Alonso in front of the other WDC rivals like Lewis and Vettel, especially if it looks like Red Bull seems to have a challenge this weekend.

[scuderiafan]

Wow Ferrari was on it today. Consistent purples I like :ferrarifl

I can't believe how bad RedBull are doing right now. Early days but only the one in the top 10, and 9th for that matter?
Not complaining. Funny how everyone has stopped proclaiming newey as god, and whatever he says as gospel.

[Chicane]

Were good with the wets..so no prob if it rain have you forgot malaysia?

[scuderiafan]

Does someone know what was last S1 time from Fernando before interruption?

19.8 seconds.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99798

[wacc]

Does someone know what was last S1 time from Fernando before interruption?

19.7 IIRC

[scuderiafan]

Sector times. Purple in S1 and 2.
http://en.mclarenf-1.com/index.php?page=results&gp=869&s=7079&p=3

Lap Charts.
http://en.mclarenf-1.com/index.php?page=chart&gp=869&s=7079&graf=3

[T van R]

Rain is scheduled for Saturday, I don't know if we want it though...:Hmm

I think it is better not to rain.

[Greig]

I can't believe how bad RedBull are doing right now. Early days but only the one in the top 10, and 9th for that matter?
Not complaining. Funny how everyone has stopped proclaiming newey as god, and whatever he says as gospel.

They lead the WCC and the WDC? It's been an hour and half of a long weekend, maybe a bit early to proclaim them as also rans ;-)

[sav_pap]

If our package is competitive and we're in shape I see no reason to call for rain.

[sav_pap]

Dry for me!!:pray

[theforce]

That feeling when you forgot P1 was on today and while browsing the news you see, "Alonso lays down Monaco marker", Priceless:-D

[theforce]

Rain or not, these street circuits are Alonso's playground. I'm sure a streetfighter like Alonso wouldn't mind putting on some rain shoes and dancing in the puddles!

[Alessandra]

Remind me why its on Thursday and not Friday here in Monaco ??

Because they have market day on Friday! (or so I read). Monaco has its priorities sorted:-D
I understand that many of the teams are quite happy to have Friday 'off' so that they can work on the cars before P3 / quali with a bit less stress.

I know we mustn't read too much into practice times because we've no idea of of fuel levels etc., but it's stil great to see our lads up there. And, as Jerome Ambrosio says, (Sky) " If you're up there (during practice) it's always something good". Yep!!

[Greig]

They run the GP2 on Friday's don't they I guess it just limits the disruption to the locals.

[scuderiafan]

They lead the WCC and the WDC? It's been an hour and half of a long weekend, maybe a bit early to proclaim them as also rans ;-)

I guess, but their pace has only really been race winning in Melbourne and Bahrain, where even then Lotus and McLaren looked faster. I guess you are right not count them out, but it is not looking great for their pace so far in Europe.

I can't and say I'm not enjoying this though.

[theforce]

hmmm, not sure how valid this is but I read that because of the road barriers you can't access outside the 'F1 Zone' and they have Friday off to bring in supplies, food etc before they close it for sat and sun.

[ClaudiuCojo]

I think we should be okay even with rain as long as we get a good Qualy position.
I have every bit of confidence in Alonso's skillez in the rain

[Cemz85]

how long till fp2?

[Greig]

45 mins

[ClaudiuCojo]

And we were not so slow on Malaysia when it rained if I remember correctly :)

[Cemz85]

ambient air temperature was about 22c.. I read that its going to be cooler on race day, this will help us and williams..

[Hornet]

And we were not so slow on Malaysia when it rained if I remember correctly :)

Rain in qualifying is a completely different thing. The conditions are changing and the lucky driver will win it, and even the fastest car can end up not passing Q1

While in dry, everything is more normal and predictable. So if we have the pace, its much better to have a normal weekend because we can use that pace, and not depend on luck.

[MRRabbit]

i heard some years ago the reason for it being thursday and not friday is that the prince of monaco didn't wanna be disturbed in his dinner or something like that, dunno if it's true!

Ferrari looking good so far :-)

[Hornet]

Here we go.
Free Practice 2
http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/48945/1/f1---monaco-grand-prix-practice-2-live-stream-online.html

[impactX]

If anyone tells me that the car is not a WCC contender, I will call him a liar.

[fronaldo]

Scuderia Ferrari ‏@InsideFerrari (http://twitter.com/#!/InsideFerrari)
Weather has changed: now no more sun and a lot of clouds, lower temperatures

[Hornet]

Some rain over the nearby mountains.
No rain expected yet

====

Now Merc expects some rain soon

[theforce]

If anyone tells me that the car is not a WCC contender, I will call him a liar.

or her;-)

[Hornet]

Wow, its like a race out there, so many cars

JButton 0.9sec faster than alonso, but super soft

[Scarlet:)]

Hi everybody!:wave We are looking good. Definitely don't want rain ..!

[FerrariF60]

does anybody have a link that works???
the vipbox don't seem to work

thanks.

[Scarlet:)]

Massa looking promising. I like !

[Rishu]

Grosjean looking very good

[sav_pap]

Alonso the purple man!

[sav_pap]

Button is on softs??

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Feeeeelliipeeeeeeeee is BACK!!! FORZA FERRARI!!!


I think both drivers can finish well in the race on Sunday! :)))

[Kyss4k]

Button is on softs??

Yes, he is.

[Hornet]

Yes, Button time was on super soft

Wet track now.... :(

[Greig]

If anyone tells me that the car is not a WCC contender, I will call him a liar.

Based on one practice session at a very unique track? good stuff.

[Scarlet:)]

oh the track is wet now!!

[sav_pap]

Grosjean's 1.16.1.. is impressive on softs.

[sav_pap]

If rain stays then Button's 1.15.746 on super soft will be the best time of the day.
I hope not.

[sav_pap]

This rain never comes when you need it.

[sav_pap]

We didn't try the super softs!
Good because tyre saving.
Bad because we didn't test them.

[Cemz85]

22 min: If you're a subscriber you might like to take a look at this, it's an in-depth video explaining how Ferrari turned it's F2012 into a dry weather contender... Of course if it stays wet we know it works already!

thats a first from autosport.. id really like to see this video, darn

[fronaldo]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/18186898
look at right side on standings..LOL

[Rishu]

We didn't try the super softs!
Good because tyre saving.Bad because we didn't test them.

We have different Tyres for Q & R

[Greig]

We still have practice on Saturday to use the super softs anyway.

[sav_pap]

We have different Tyres for Q & R

I thought teams put on some tyres (used in Q) in the race.
Isn't that the reason some teams don't take part in Q3??

[Cemz85]

We have different Tyres for Q & R

i dont think thats not official 100% right now

[Rishu]

I thought teams put on some tyres (used in Q) in the race.
Isn't that the reason some teams don't take part in Q3??

Yes thats correct, but Practice Tyres are not used in Q or R

[Hornet]

Alonso out on track!

[Rishu]

i dont think thats not official 100% right now


Yes thats correct, but Practice Tyres are not used in Q or R

[sav_pap]

The killer is ready!!!!!!

[sav_pap]

Again on softs!!

[sav_pap]

I've just seen Flavio in his yacht dancing the rain dance!:-P

[scuderiafan]

2 questions. What tyres was Felipe on?
And what is the difference between Supersoft and soft?

[Rishu]

Any changes on the barrier after the tunnel?

[Hornet]

I've just seen Flavio in his yacht dancing the rain dance!:-P

Was he wearing anything? :-E

:-G

[Rishu]

Was he wearing anything? :-E

:-G

Sexy Thong :)

[bonzo]

2 questions. What tyres was Felipe on?
And what is the difference between Supersoft and soft?

On softs (not supersofts)

[Hornet]

Any changes on the barrier after the tunnel?
Yeah, the barrier that Perez crash into last year, now has been moved further away to allow more run off area


Sexy Thong :)

I'll believe that without needing to see any picture.
:-G

[sav_pap]

Was he wearing anything? :-E

:-G

He doesn't have to with so many girls around him!!:-(

[sav_pap]

Yellow flag??

[sav_pap]

Yellow flag??

Instantly sorry!

[sav_pap]

Rain again. I told you it was Flavio.!!

[Hornet]

He doesn't have to with so many girls around him!!:-(

Haha :lol

[scuderiafan]

On softs (not supersofts)

Thanks.

[Scarlet:)]

And what is the difference between Supersoft and soft?

Umm... More grip??

[Rishu]

And what is the difference between Supersoft and soft?

I would predict about 8 tenths

[sav_pap]

It's like a nightmare if you are watching from the "in car" cameras.
So deadly close to the barriers!!

[Dino]

2 questions. What tyres was Felipe on?
And what is the difference between Supersoft and soft?

Around 0.900 sec.
The way both Ferrari are going on softs we will do even better!

[scuderiafan]

I would predict about 8 tenths

Double thanks, and to Dino Of course, fuel loads unknown, means button's time isn't that impressive.
Ps, Alonso just did a 1:19, now that is good.

[Massimo181]

Berger ooopsss language!!!LOL

[sav_pap]

:-ZZ
I think I'll have a nap.
Kimi is also in Flavio's yacht eating his ice-cream until the rain stops.

[Rishu]

Berger ooopsss language!!!LOL

Yeah but listening to him makes you realise how great were Senna, Prost, Mansell etc

[sav_pap]

That's it. I think we'll have no more flying laps for today!

[sav_pap]

Also think about the tyre gamble on Sundey because of the tunnel (if we have wet race). Outside wet and in tunnel damn dry!

[LightAmaterasu]

Hi guys.. can someone please catch me up on how we've done so far?

[Rosso Corsa]

Also think about the tyre gamble on Sundey because of the tunnel (if we have wet race). Outside wet and in tunnel damn dry!

There's no gamble in that instance. The tunnel is too short to influence tyre choice.

[sav_pap]

There's no gamble in that instance. The tunnel is too short to influence tyre choice.

I thought tyres this year are much different.
They last less laps than past years and are more sensitive so this could be a factor.

[sav_pap]

Maldonando did it.
Yellow flag.
Damn rookies.

[sav_pap]

Ham out.

[LightAmaterasu]

Have we done times on super softs?

[sav_pap]

Hi guys.. can someone please catch me up on how we've done so far?

Pretty good Felipe third on softs and Alo 4th.
Only Grosjean better than us in the dry.
Yet these were in the first minutes because then the rain ruined the drivers efforts.
Button's time (1st) on super softs.

[sav_pap]

Have we done times on super softs?

Negative

[Hornet]

Have we done times on super softs?

No, we haven't

[Hornet]

Massa out, on inters I think

[LightAmaterasu]

Pretty good Felipe third on softs and Alo 4th.
Only Grosjean better than us in the dry.
Yet these were in the first minutes because then the rain ruined the drivers efforts.
Button's time (1st) on super softs.


Negative

Thank you!! :-) So we should be faster on super softs then!! And good to see Massa do well again!

[LightAmaterasu]

No, we haven't

Thanks!!:-)

[sav_pap]

Massa out, on inters I think

Right!

[sav_pap]

Thank you!! :-) So we should be faster on super softs then!! And good to see Massa do well again!

:thumb

[Chicane]

i wish someone here can sort out who's the fastest on the wets in this final minutes of practice

[Hornet]

Wait, are they using the same wet tires that they have to use for qualifying and race?

[sav_pap]

Huge difference between wet and dry times ??
If I'm not wrong about 16 secs??:-E

[Chicane]

but whos the fastest on the wets is what i want to know..

[LightAmaterasu]

Huge difference between wet and dry times ??
If I'm not wrong about 16 secs??:-E

Yes..! Webber was 18 secs off i think..,

[sav_pap]

but whos the fastest on the wets is what i want to know..

You can never know this because of the fuel loads!
The same for the dry!!
Only Q3 can tell!!!!!!!

[sav_pap]

Senna!!!

Such a huge name but such a tiny driver.

Pure pay driver!

[sav_pap]

Yellow flag !
Kovalainen again!

[sav_pap]

Good afternoon boys.
See you on Saturday.
Have fun.

[Rishu]

Second Yellow Flag because of the angry bird

[Chicane]

atleast we look competitive for two consecutive race now..

[hogo]

Great times that mean nothing, still I like what I see!

[Hornet]

Times on the prime tires look good, but more importantly is how we will manage on the super soft. Monaco here is all about qualifying. We have to wait till Saturday to get a clearer picture.

[Kyss4k]

We are looking goood :thumb

[ClaudiuCojo]

They said very small chances of rain for Sunday around 20%, so if it rains during Qualy it will be a lottery.

[sv_godspeed]

...go Felipe! :thumb

[Hornet]

They said very small chances of rain for Sunday around 20%, so if it rains during Qualy it will be a lottery.

Which is not good IMO. If we get stuck at the back, and we get a dry race on Sunday, it would be a disaster. Its almost impossible to overtake here.

[JONNY F.2008]

looking for a good double points finish.
massa on podium would shut a lot of the press up.
maybe.

[F2002]

I'm sure many of you follow him, but this is what Alonso had to say about today's sessions:

Meetings with engineers and drivers briefing shortly..! Good Thursday in Monaco, gaining confidence with the car. #Happy ..;))

[ClaudiuCojo]

That's good news, he said the same thing after practice sessions in Spain and he got a good result.

I think we'll be strong this weekend, I don't know if we'll get the pole(would be fantastic) but good enough to fight for the podium for sure, the only concern is if its raining on Qualy, then you can find yourself at the back because everything can change from one lap to another and especially this year when the differences are so small ... well you can see where I am going :-)

I just hope, if we have wet qualy, that our team keeps a cool head and makes the right decisions.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Absolute awesome picture. Especially for Massa fans. Right click>view image

http://www.formula1.com/wi/0x0/sutton/2012/d12mon1144.jpg

[scuderiafan]

Remember Malaysia guys? Wouldn't mind rain if it stayed the same level and didn't change and catches teams out.
Ferrari is a nice rain car, but I guess the risk of barriers is high.

Monaco gets off on right foot.



Felipe Massa, "We weren’t able to do as much running as we would have liked because of the light rain that fell this afternoon, but all the same, I am happy with the way things went on this Monaco Thursday. The car seemed to me to be okay right from the start of the first session, with a good balance in all conditions and with slightly better traction than we had expected. Even when we ran the Intermediates in the final part of the second session, the feeling was still positive. As for the tyres, we didn’t even fit the Supersoft, therefore we can’t say anything about their behaviour, while the Softs worked well, also in terms of their degradation. Sure, there is still plenty of work to do to fine tune all the set-up details, but we have an extra day to think about what to do to improve in this area. It’s hard to make predictions about qualifying and, even more so for the race, but definitely we can say the first day of free practice can be considered a positive one.”

Fernando Alonso
“For we drivers, Thursday in Monaco provides the best opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with a very unique track. The more you go round, the more you gain confidence and the harder you can push to bring the lap time down. This morning, we were able to get through our planned programme without any trouble, but in the afternoon, the rain came to spoil our plans and those of the others too. We weren’t able to even fit the Supersoft and only Button was able to find the right window to make the most of the Option, which is how he set the fastest time. Now, we must see what the weather will be like on Saturday morning: if it turns out to be dry then maybe we will do more laps than usual, but even if it rains we will have to do work aimed at the race. In fact, it’s not as though we understood much more when on the Intermediates, given that the track was only damp in places and so it wasn’t very representative. We can’t control the weather, we can only adapt to it as it changes. As for the car, I would say the first impressions are quite positive: everything seems to respond as we would expect. We only made a few small modifications to the set-up, trying to improve it, but it’s obviously too early to draw any conclusions. Let’s say the weekend has got off on the right foot for us: now we must try and keep going down this path.”

Pat Fry
“The rain upset our programme a bit in the second session, preventing us from getting through the usual FP2 work, centred on a comparison of the two types of tyre brought here by Pirelli. This morning, we worked mainly on the set-up of the car, which has no significant new parts apart from the usual adjustments typically required for this track. In the afternoon, we actually wanted to try both tyres over a short and a long run, but we didn’t even manage a single lap on the Supersoft. In the end, we used a set of Intermediates with both drivers but, even in this case, the track conditions were not exactly ideal for this tyre. The same applied to almost everyone, therefore relatively speaking, we are not at any disadvantage. Clearly, we have less data available with which to define the best strategy for Sunday’s race: a bit more improvisation will be called for and we will need to be even more ready to react to every eventuality. We have no had any problems of any sort on both cars, which is always positive on a track like this.”

http://www.ferrari.com/English/Formula1/News/Headlines/Pages/120524-monaco-gp-monaco-gets-off-on-the-right-foot-rain-is-the-same-for-everyone.aspx

[Greig]

Remember Malaysia guys? Wouldn't mind rain if it stayed the same level and didn't change and catches teams out.
Ferrari is a nice rain car, but I guess the risk of barriers is high.

car is a lot different now though compare to Malaysia :-)

[scuderiafan]

car is a lot different now though compare to Malaysia :-)

Aerodynamically, but I think the core characteristic is still there. Sauber also made changes, and Oerez still looked good in FP2 when raining.
Couldn't pay attention to the Ferraris though.

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

I hope the Ferrari is able to perform on Supersofts. Do not want any surprises tomorrow.

[Greig]

I hope the Ferrari is able to perform on Supersofts. Do not want any surprises tomorrow.

Well it would be a surprise if they ran tomorrow ;-) FP3 they can use the supersofts.

[Alonsomaniac]

If it looks good, feels good and the times are good.....then it must be good I suppose.
So...eh.....YEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAA!!!! WE HAVE A REAL :pass FERRARI :pass AGAIN!










Sorry...:-D

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Well it would be a surprise if they ran tomorrow ;-) FP3 they can use the supersofts.

Oh and i should've said Saturday, not tomorrow which is a Friday. :doh

[scuderiafan]

Right now, I believe the pace order is:
Lotus, then Ferrari-McLaren, put whichever team ahead, but since I am tifosi, I put Ferrari ahead. Many think Ferrari have shown their hand more in FP, and reference last year, but didn't he have a bad lap in q3 iirc?
I doubt Ferrari have shown more than Lotus or McLaren, who always top FPs these days, or at least try to.

[Amici]

it looks really good ... and now finally the pole...!!!

[Ferrarichamp]

Right now, I believe the pace order is:
Lotus, then Ferrari-McLaren, put whichever team ahead, but since I am tifosi, I put Ferrari ahead. Many think Ferrari have shown their hand more in FP, and reference last year, but didn't he have a bad lap in q3 iirc?
I doubt Ferrari have shown more than Lotus or McLaren, who always top FPs these days, or at least try to.

so which driver is your money on at this stage?

[scuderiafan]

so which driver is your money on at this stage?

Dunno really, probably Lewis :oops: :lol (for pole mind) but the race win is open between those 3 teams.
Lewis might just pull out a great lap out of nowhere.
I don't expect button to up there though.

[Poltergeistes]

i just pray BOTH our drivers are in the podium sunday!

[Ferrarichamp]

@scuderiafan
last time out you correctly predicted Maldonado would win the race. As you say Lotus are strong, surely Grosjean won't pull a Maldonado, will he? :-E

[Ferrarichamp]

i just pray BOTH our drivers are in the podium sunday!

yeah, I'd prefer an Alonso win for the sake of the championship, but heck, I'd take a Massa win if it were guaranteed.

[scuderiafan]

@scuderiafan
last time out you correctly predicted Maldonado would win the race. As you say Lotus are strong, surely Grosjean won't pull a Maldonado, will he? :-E

To be fair that was just a hunch. I doubt I will be fully right again.
I guess we have to find out saturday.

[MRRabbit]

McLaren doesn't look THAT strong but u can never cound them out .. so far it looks like a Renault/Ferrari battle and Alonso won't give up easily when he can sniff pole :-) The only worry is if we are as good on the super softs as we were on softs!
Let's hope for a dry qualifying, don't want the rain to spoil it for us when we're on form ...

[Alessandra]

I'm told that Jenson Button says Grosjean's going to win.

Clearly Jens hasn't been reading the party line - his boss says that Hamilton's going to, because he 'deserves to'. Or worth it or something!:-D

[croALOfanclub]

if dry Alonso pole,if wet Alonso pole
race,if dry Alonso win if wet Alonso win

[Ferrarichamp]

Well Monaco is like a home race for French drivers, I guess anything is possible.

[croALOfanclub]

Well Monaco is like a home race for French drivers, I guess anything is possible.

Grosjean can't beat Alonso in Monaco if cars are similar fast!

[FerrariF60]

Grosjean can't beat Alonso in Monaco if cars are similar fast!

i agree...

[Alessandra]

if dry Alonso pole,if wet Alonso pole
race,if dry Alonso win if wet Alonso win

I wish I was such a happy bunny:-D

[Homan13PSU]

Let's just hope 'Nando doesn't pull a repeat of 2010's FP3 on Saturday...

[DIEK]

Let's just hope 'Nando doesn't pull a repeat of 2010's FP3 on Saturday...

http://www.empatados.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/alonso6.jpg

¿This again? I am sure that alonso is who has thought more of that and not be repeated...

[F1NAC]

that picture hurts ..

[Ferrarichamp]

and to think he managed P6 despite starting 24th..

[croALOfanclub]

I wish I was such a happy bunny:-D

don't you have some ironing to do!

[ferrari4life]

and to think he managed P6 despite starting 24th..

and he might have won that 2010 wdc if he got the max points from that race...

[Greig]

and he might have won that 2010 wdc if he got the max points from that race...

:Hmm

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

Qualifying will be a lottery, i can see many potential starters on pole position for Sunday but to bet for one or the other would be a madman's job. Just getting into Q3 will a challenge in itself, more so here than anywhere else and so i hope Massa survives.
I am confident in Ferrari's chances here, confident that a podium is possible and a win may be possible. Track position is important and it's my guess that whoever does the least amount of pit stops from the front runners will win the Grand Prix. I also predict a one stop is possible...

[Agasthya]

http://www.empatados.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/alonso6.jpg

¿This again? I am sure that alonso is who has thought more of that and not be repeated...

That was such a freak accident though. Who would have thought the chassis would have been cracked with that impact?

[Alonsomaniac]

It would be a good thing for the team if Massa took the win this weekend. That would put the whole speculation matter to an end.
BTW: Perez said he would turn down an offer for a switch to Ferrari midseason. He wants to finish the season with the team he started it with he said. He also said the whole thing was largely blown up by the media and that Ferrari will never end Felipe's contract prematurely.

[impactX]

As long as they don't redflag the race a couple laps before finish and let them change tires like last year.

[mugdoc]

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ferr-alon-monaco-2012-4.jpg

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/ferr-alon-monaco-2012-11.jpg

[Katu]

his helmet looks so good with the car. love it ;-)

[Hornet]

It would be a good thing for the team if Massa took the win this weekend. That would put the whole speculation matter to an end.
BTW: Perez said he would turn down an offer for a switch to Ferrari midseason. He wants to finish the season with the team he started it with he said. He also said the whole thing was largely blown up by the media and that Ferrari will never end Felipe's contract prematurely.

Just a hunch, but I think Ferrari couldn't care less what others are saying. The world title is the only thing Ferrari cares about.

Everyone knows Ferrari isn't going to change their drivers mid season. Not sure what the big deal is. Massa's speculation is nothing new. Its something that happens every year for past decades and will happen again and again in the future. Media always speculate stuff. Its no big deal.

[anupa2k]

McLaren doesn't look THAT strong but u can never cound them out .. so far it looks like a Renault/Ferrari battle and Alonso won't give up easily when he can sniff pole :-) The only worry is if we are as good on the super softs as we were on softs!
Let's hope for a dry qualifying, don't want the rain to spoil it for us when we're on form ...

Exactly...lets have a dry race and have a real racing....:pass

[sav_pap]

Our last win in Monaco was 11 years before in 2001 with MSC??
:-E :-E

[Alonsomaniac]

Just a hunch, but I think Ferrari couldn't care less what others are saying. The world title is the only thing Ferrari cares about.

Everyone knows Ferrari isn't going to change their drivers mid season. Not sure what the big deal is. Massa's speculation is nothing new. Its something that happens every year for past decades and will happen again and again in the future. Media always speculate stuff. Its no big deal.

I agree that Ferrari probably doesn't care, but I also think all that blabla and questions asked could rather be annoying and distracting. If you always have to explain and answer questions about something that in reality is no big deal to you , you will get fed up with it at one point.
Even Perez was now asked about it, and he gave the only right answer.
That is what I meant to say, not that it would keep Felipe in the team because we all know he will stay anyway.

[Alonsomaniac]

Just a hunch, but I think Ferrari couldn't care less what others are saying. The world title is the only thing Ferrari cares about.

Everyone knows Ferrari isn't going to change their drivers mid season. Not sure what the big deal is. Massa's speculation is nothing new. Its something that happens every year for past decades and will happen again and again in the future. Media always speculate stuff. Its no big deal.

I agree that Ferrari probably doesn't care, but I also think all that blabla and questions asked could rather be annoying and distracting. If you always have to explain and answer questions about something that in reality is no big deal to you , you will get fed up with it at one point.
Even Perez was now asked about it, and he gave the only right answer.
That is what I meant to say, not that it would keep Felipe in the team because we all know he will stay anyway.

[Alonsomaniac]

Hm...one answer was enough. Sorry.

[Ferrarichamp]

Our last win in Monaco was 11 years before in 2001 with MSC??
:-E :-E

yep, Monte Carlo is a bad track for us I'm afraid.

[sav_pap]

Greig, is this going to be another weekend without TSN beting?:oops

[Alessandra]

don't you have some ironing to do!


I will not pander to your perverted desire to discuss ironing on this site.:-!

Talk to your doctor.

[ClaudiuCojo]

I think Lotus and McLaren are still a little bit better than us in Monaco but here we could realistically be, for the first time this year, the 3-rd best team(with both drivers) which would be very good.
Now if Alonso's talent will compensate for that and manage a good qualy that's another story, but realistically I don't think we'll get pole and a podium would be a realistic target for Alonso with maybe Massa getting a top 5-6 result.

[ClaudiuCojo]

BTW a podium for Alonso would be a great result for him, a win would be fantastic but I'm keeping my expectation in check for now.

[giodap]

i disagree, monaco is one of the only tracks where the driver can make that little bit more of a difference for that special lap in qualifying. i expect the best drivers to be fighting for pole. and given alonso's tremendous ability, i think he will not be that far away. also, with no real long straights here, our top end speed problems can be disguised. be optimistic, were looking GOOD!!! FORZA FERRARI

[Stormsearcher]

BTW a podium for Alonso would be a great result for him, a win would be fantastic but I'm keeping my expectation in check for now.

My sentiments exactly. A podium position would just be great. We wont lose touch with the leaders. Heck, if finger boy doesnt make it there, we might still be leading the championship.

[bonzo]

Exactly...lets have a dry race and have a real racing....:pass

Sat 80% chance of rain
Sun 50% chance rain+thunderstorm
This is the forecast for Monaco on most of weather sites...

[Suzie]

It's been raining in Monaco this evening - for most of the day its been baking hot, though, so I'm thinking it could/should be dry for quali.

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk 2

[Crucial_Xtreme]

I think Lotus and McLaren are still a little bit better than us in Monaco but here we could realistically be, for the first time this year, the 3-rd best team(with both drivers) which would be very good.
Now if Alonso's talent will compensate for that and manage a good qualy that's another story, but realistically I don't think we'll get pole and a podium would be a realistic target for Alonso with maybe Massa getting a top 5-6 result.
Agreed, the Lotus & McLaren are better than us right now. Not too much but as Pat said earlier today much of it depends on the driver and how much confidence he has to push the envelope. I think Fernando can get a podium but obviously a big part of his chances will depend on where he qualifies. I'll wait on FP3 before I decide on where Felipe might finish, but the fact he drove well in FP1 & 2 and the fact those two sessions have given him some confidence makes me think Felipe will have the best result of the season in Monaco. How good that result always depends on Quali but we'll get a decent sense in FP3 when we can see how comfortable he is with the car. But I think Felipe is back. I think he's turned a corner. Watch and see. :))


It's been raining in Monaco this evening - for most of the day its been baking hot, though, so I'm thinking it could/should be dry for quali.

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk 2
I hope so. Rain could be helpful for the team but I think a dry race is best for all involved.

[Massimo181]

Heard that Vettel would prefer a wet race so he can not be confident with his pace in the dry?!

Hope that we can carry on the great pace we saw from both cars from FP1 & FP2!

[PaulW]

Agreed, the Lotus & McLaren are better than us right now.

I'd only put Lotus ahead of us now, might well be wrong on that but next 2 races should tell us the answer to that. Here's hoping I'm right.



.................................................. .................................................. ..................................................
Had you pegged as a berk - now confirmed

[Jose-Lorca Fan]

I'd only put Lotus ahead of us now, might well be wrong on that but next 2 races should tell us the answer to that. Here's hoping I'm right.



.................................................. .................................................. ..................................................
Had you pegged as a berk - now confirmed


I agree with Crucial, Lotus and Mclaren are a threat. Just look at McLaren's qualifying pace and you'll see that sooner or later they are due a win, that is ofc if they keep the advantage. It's been a mix of bad luck and other events which have held them back from taking wins. I think at the moment in qualifying they are the best and on a track like Monaco grid position is very important. I'm going to say this is their best chance for a win if they occupy the first row.

[EL NANO]

yep, Monte Carlo is a bad track for us I'm afraid.

Not for Fernando :)

[Cemz85]

when is fp3 guys?

[Hornet]

when is fp3 guys?
In about 1 hour time.

Its 1 hour later than FP1 time

[Cemz85]

oh ok, thanks.. looking foward to it, is there rain happening for qually, i hope not

[bonzo]

Heard that Vettel would prefer a wet race so he can not be confident with his pace in the dry?!

Hope that we can carry on the great pace we saw from both cars from FP1 & FP2!
Fp3 dry, quali - wet... Hmmmm

[Hornet]

According to Ferrari's twitter 17 minutes ago, its very nice weather there.

@InsideFerrari
The sky is blue, the sun shining: what's better than this for Monaco GP qualifying session?

[bonzo]

According to Ferrari's twitter 17 minutes ago, its very nice weather there.

Saturday

Partly cloudy with a chance of rain, then thunderstorms in the afternoon. High of 22C. Winds from the East at 5 to 10 km/h shifting to the SSE in the afternoon. Chance of rain 90% with rainfall amounts near 4.6 mm possible.

[Massimo181]

Link for F1:

http://mylivetvchannel.blogspot.pt/2012/05/sky-sports-2.html

http://mylivetvchannel.blogspot.pt/2012/03/live-tv-channels.html

[Aruba]

FP3 about to start :clap

[DJTaurus]

I noticed aero paint in alonsos rear wing...

[Pitu]

Rosbeerg on P1 (1:15:159)??? Didn't see that coming!!!!!!!
Felipe on P4 (1:15:879),he is pushing the car very hard.Very good sign for team.
Alonso on P2(1:15:306),i am considering him for pole position today.

[Pitu]

Alonso 1:15:210,another strong run on super soft

[Greig]

Both drivers looking very good round here

[Hermann]

Fernando was 0.100 faster than Rosberg actually, he ran into traffic near the finish line.

[Greig]

3rd sector letting us down otherwise looking good

[Gerhard Berger]

generally we are good, but seems the final sector is our achilles heel.

[Greig]

2 slow corners, our traction problems still there, but it's not so bad.

[Jas]

come on massa....the boy deserves it, just hope ferrari dont't mess it up for him by putting him into traffic during quali!!!!!!!!

[Gerhard Berger]

hope it stays dry for quali

[scuderiafan]

Vettel is not happy. :rotfl.

[Greig]

McLaren showing their pace now