Monaco GP 2014 Team news & quotes

**Nero Horse** · 19th May 2014, 16:41

Monaco, glamour and barriers

Maranello, 19 May – This will be the 61st Monaco Grand Prix to count for the Formula 1 World Championship, the 72nd in all. The track layout has always used the same roads in the Principality, although over the years, there have been ten slight modifications to its length which is currently 3.340 kilometres. Ferrari has won eight times, equivalent to 13%.

The first ever Monaco GP in 1950 was the second ever championship race and Scuderia Ferrari’s first. 19 cars started but 10 of them got no further than the opening lap. Giuseppe Farina, in an Alfa Romeo crashed at Tabac and was hit by Jose Froilan Gonzalez in a Maserati. The road was blocked and the rest of the group couldn’t avoid them and it ended in a carambolage. Juan Manuel Fangio won for Alfa Romeo, with Alberto Ascari second in the Ferrari.

The race did not return to the calendar until 1955, when Maurice Trintignant won in a Ferrari. The Frenchman was noted for his tidy style and made the most of the misfortunes of others, winning from ninth. To this day, there has only been one winner who started further back.

Although the Scuderia won elsewhere, victory in the Principality escaped it for 20 years, with Niki Lauda taking the 1975 win in the 312 T and doing it again the following year.

In 1979, it was an all Ferrari front row with Jody Scheckter ahead of Gilles Villeneuve, but only the South African finished where he started. It was the Canadian’s turn two years later in the 126 CK when he made no mistakes, while overtaking Alan Jones in the Williams with just four laps to go. The spectacular win made waves in North America and Gilles and the number 27 Ferrari even featured on the cover of “Time” magazine.

This victory for the Scuderia was followed by another barren patch in Monaco. It took the arrival of Michael Schumacher to see a return to victory. In 1996, the German took pole but failed to finish that crazy race which saw only four cars make it to the line, the winner being Olivier Panis, the Frenchman having started 14th. The next year, at the wheel of the F310B, the German outclassed the field to win with 53 seconds in hand over Rubens Barrichello in the Stewart and over a minute in front of his team-mate, Eddie Irvine.

Two years later, Schumacher and Irvine finished first and second, while in 2001 Michael won for the fifth time in the Principality to equal Graham Hill’s achievement, only one win short of the Monaco record holder, Ayrton Senna.

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/mon...amour-barriers

**Kiwi Nick** · 19th May 2014, 17:00

Monaco may not be your favorite GP but it is THE GP.

**Nero Horse** · 19th May 2014, 17:29

Originally Posted by Kiwi Nick

Monaco may not be your favorite GP but it is THE GP.

Agreed. The Monaco GP is part of F1's history and heritage, just like Ferrari is. It might not be exactly the most exciting GP in terms of racing, due to the lack of overtaking opportunities, but it does have a certain charm and mystique about it. At least I for one always look forward to that race in anticipation. It's just so great to see the F1 cars roaring down the beautiful streets of Monte Carlo. And it's a big challenge for the drivers as well. So bring it on!

**wisepie** · 19th May 2014, 17:34

Our biggest chance for a surprise result, maybe? We can but hope, we need something to give us a lift, but I'm not betting on it!

**sachin** · 19th May 2014, 18:20

I for one believe that Monaco is bore fest, just watching cars following each other all time (except a handful bold moves),
I feel Monaco should be as held as a exhibition event ( i know doesn't sound feasible),but yea as a race it's really boring.
Just my feeling about it

**Hornet** · 19th May 2014, 18:23

I guess Monaco is more exciting when you are there.

On TV, it feels like watching a procession, with bikini girls on rooftops and rich men's yacht everywhere. Superficial, but nothing exciting

I'd hardly call that "the definative" GP

**WS6TransAm01** · 19th May 2014, 19:46

Originally Posted by sachin

I for one believe that Monaco is bore fest, just watching cars following each other all time (except a handful bold moves),
I feel Monaco should be as held as a exhibition event ( i know doesn't sound feasible),but yea as a race it's really boring.
Just my feeling about it

I agree, no points awarded since no actual racing takes place other than jumping someone in the pits. Maybe the winner gets to start the next race from poll or a large cash award. Make it like an All-Star game in many other sports.

**Sanomas** · 19th May 2014, 19:47

Monaco is special...it got the beautiful environment and it has such as amazing track, you never forget if you be there!

@Hornet

Try to drive the Monaco in driving simulators or video games, it need lot of practice to do a clean lap in there...

On the topic...I envisage no problems, so I look forward to this race.

**Hornet** · 19th May 2014, 19:57

Originally Posted by Sanomas

Monaco is special...it got the beautiful environment and it has such as amazing track, you never forget if you be there!

@Hornet

Try to drive the Monaco in driving simulators or video games, it need lot of practice to do a clean lap in there...

On the topic...I envisage no problems, so I look forward to this race.

Well I agree it's a challenging track and it's difficult to set a perfect lap there. But I think most of the streets there are too narrow for modern F1 cars and so overtaking is impossible at most part of the track. So I feel it doesn't make a good race track because racing is a combination of driving fast as well as competing with other drivers on track, and the competition here is mostly down to jumping others in the single pitstop. Otherwise it's just a train of cars most of the time.

Just IMO

**Rob** · 19th May 2014, 20:02

Montezemolo hints at F1 team budget boost
Ferrari is prepared to 'break the bank'.

May 19 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has hinted he will increase Ferrari's budget in order to catch up with dominant Mercedes. The fabled Italian marque has struggled early this season, prompting the exit of team boss Stefano Domenicali. But recent rumours suggest Ferrari is now prepared to 'break the bank' to woo F1's highest-paid engineer, Adrian Newey, to Maranello. Ferrari can afford him. The Financial Times reports that the company recorded "record revenues, profits and cash flow" last year, with net profit up to EUR 246 million.

Montezemolo is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport as saying that while the exclusivity of Ferrari road cars remains a priority, that is a challenge "given heavy investment and F1, which requires an exceptional effort economically to recover the gap to the opposition".
Spain's El Mundo Deportivo reports that one Ferrari recruit is to be the retired 68-year-old Jean-Jacques His, an engine expert best known for leading Renault's technical efforts during the French manufacturer's dominant era.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mo...-budget-boost/

**racingbradley** · 19th May 2014, 20:03

I just love Monaco--it's got everything the glitz, the glamour and the racing of course.

Monaco sparkles and it's such a glorious weekend especially if it’s hot!!!
For me it's one of the highlights of the calendar but then I do like a bit of bling!!!!!!!

(not forgetting Interlagos, Spa and Imola of course)

**Sanomas** · 19th May 2014, 20:13

Originally Posted by Hornet

Well I agree it's a challenging track and it's difficult to set a perfect lap there. But I think most of the streets there are too narrow for modern F1 cars and so overtaking is impossible at most part of the track. So I feel it doesn't make a good race track because racing is a combination of driving fast as well as competing with other drivers on track, and the competition here is mostly down to jumping others in the single pitstop. Otherwise it's just a train of cars most of the time.

Just IMO

It is indeed challenging...and like you said, overtaking is the like impossible thing in a track like Monaco, but I think that is the image of Monaco making it special...

**abbottcostello** · 19th May 2014, 20:17

Originally Posted by Rob

Montezemolo hints at F1 team budget boost
Ferrari is prepared to 'break the bank'.

May 19 (GMM) Luca di Montezemolo has hinted he will increase Ferrari's budget in order to catch up with dominant Mercedes. The fabled Italian marque has struggled early this season, prompting the exit of team boss Stefano Domenicali. But recent rumours suggest Ferrari is now prepared to 'break the bank' to woo F1's highest-paid engineer, Adrian Newey, to Maranello. Ferrari can afford him. The Financial Times reports that the company recorded "record revenues, profits and cash flow" last year, with net profit up to EUR 246 million.

Montezemolo is quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport as saying that while the exclusivity of Ferrari road cars remains a priority, that is a challenge "given heavy investment and F1, which requires an exceptional effort economically to recover the gap to the opposition".
Spain's El Mundo Deportivo reports that one Ferrari recruit is to be the retired 68-year-old Jean-Jacques His, an engine expert best known for leading Renault's technical efforts during the French manufacturer's dominant era.

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mo...-budget-boost/

Jean-Jacques would be a great addition, was the manager of Ferrari's competition engine department back in the mid 80's...
where "He oversaw work on the Ferrari V6 turbo, the Indycar V8 turbo and a new 3.5-liter V12 for F1."

I like all the hoopla surrounding the Monaco race, the race itself is often "meh", but hey, it's still a race so I'll watch.

**Nero Horse** · 19th May 2014, 20:21

**andone89** · 19th May 2014, 21:22

I made an interesting video about monaco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IuiDOVRgFc

**Winter** · 19th May 2014, 23:11

Monaco deserves its place in race calendar. Those modern tilke tracks are pretty much all the same.
Monaco has "personality", it's the track where qualification plays huge part, it's also the track where is no room for mistakes.

**Nova** · 20th May 2014, 01:34

I find it exciting. I remember years ago ABC's wide world of sports showed it every year, that n the Indy 500.

**fratelliferrari** · 20th May 2014, 07:29

Originally Posted by Winter

Monaco deserves its place in race calendar. Those modern tilke tracks are pretty much all the same.
Monaco has "personality", it's the track where qualification plays huge part, it's also the track where is no room for mistakes.

**fratelliferrari** · 20th May 2014, 07:30

Originally Posted by racingbradley

I just love Monaco--it's got everything the glitz, the glamour and the racing of course.

Monaco sparkles and it's such a glorious weekend especially if it’s hot!!!
For me it's one of the highlights of the calendar but then I do like a bit of bling!!!!!!!

(not forgetting Interlagos, Spa and Imola of course)

I think you forgot Monza

**stefa** · 20th May 2014, 08:23

Personally I don't like this "track". With current Ferrari form, I don't expect nothing but painful weekend...

**Senna4Ever** · 20th May 2014, 08:43

Originally Posted by stefa

Personally I don't like this "track". With current Ferrari form, I don't expect nothing but painful weekend...

Thinking about our actual car performance and especially our traction and driveability of the prancing horse engine 'Slippin' and Sliding' from Little Richard comes into my mind associated with Monaco ...

**samboozik** · 20th May 2014, 10:42

I think with our cars behaving the way they usually do, they'll end up both in the barriers. But lets hope not for our drivers safety.

**sachin** · 20th May 2014, 13:15

Originally Posted by samboozik

I think with our cars behaving the way they usually do, they'll end up both in the barriers. But lets hope not for our drivers safety.

With two class acts in the cockpit I dont expect our cars in the barriers even though our car as you mentioned wont be good enough.
Unless they encounter pastor.

**Hornet** · 20th May 2014, 13:28

Well the drivers will ensure they don't push that far. Of course it's not going to be a fun race for us to watch, unless Ferrari managed to improve the power delivery and rear traction.

IIRC, last year it was quite a poor race for us too due to our traction problems.

**f300v10** · 20th May 2014, 13:38

Originally Posted by Nova

I find it exciting. I remember years ago ABC's wide world of sports showed it every year, that n the Indy 500.

Indeed, the Monaco GP on Wide World of Sports was my introduction to Grand Prix racing in the early 70's. Looking back, the actual 'coverage' of the race was rather pitiful. 20 minutes showing how glamorous Monaco was, then show the first 3 or so laps or so at the start, then a cut away for 30 minutes of horse jumping or something like it, then back to the middle of the race for 5 more laps, then off to something else, then the last 3 laps and the spray of champagne. Still it let me know that there was racing outside of Indy and Nascar.

**Nero Horse** · 20th May 2014, 16:03

**Rob** · 20th May 2014, 19:05

Resta: “A tailored approach to each race”

Maranello, 20 May – For all the well known reasons, the Monaco Grand Prix is a unique event, usually described in far from unique clichés. But if you are a Formula 1 engineer, the idiosyncrasies of running a car on this street circuit mean this weekend is almost a hiatus on the calendar.

“The demands of this race are different to that of all the others,” confirms Scuderia Ferrari’s Deputy Chief Designer, Simone Resta. “Therefore it stands apart from our overall development programme which sees a tailored approach to each race. For the races that follow Monaco, Canada, Austria, UK and so on, in Maranello we are currently working very hard to introduce a lot of updates to move forward on the F14 T’s performance level to close the gap to the quickest cars.” In other words, the streets of the Principality are a one-off from a technical viewpoint. “In Monaco, we need to do some specific set-up work related to vertical stiffness and the degree of roll of the car, so that the driver can get as much grip as possible despite the bumpy nature of the track,” continues Resta. “In order to give the cars as much mechanical grip as possible, Pirelli supplies the Soft and Supersoft tyres here and this choice also helps during the traction and braking phases. These softer compounds also warm up more easily, which is particularly useful in Qualifying.”

The F14 Ts that Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen will use this week are actually built up differently for Monaco. “Particular attention is paid to the steering, specifically for the hairpin, the tightest and slowest corner on the whole F1 calendar and the suspension, which is uprated to deal with the fact that, here in Monaco, it is normal for the cars to touch the barriers,” reveals Resta. “The lack of long straights means that ensuring adequate cooling is very important, especially for the brakes and engine, while the gearbox is given a stern test as the drivers change gear more often here than in any other race.”

Whatever is done to the cars, it’s the drivers who make the real difference in Monaco. “It is important for the driver to grow in confidence over the course of the weekend, finding the limit corner by corner,” concludes Resta. Kimi Raikkonen sums it up in his laconic fashion: “you can’t make any mistakes, because if you do, it’s usually the end of the story!”

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/res....XuVZ1ReR.dpuf

**Rob** · 20th May 2014, 19:07

Kimi on Monaco: “An exciting but complicated race”

Maranello, 20 May –The Monaco weekend is one the drivers always look forward to more than most, because of everything this Grand Prix entails; history, difficulty and prestige, as well as massive media attention and glamour. Scuderia Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen is no exception and is eager to get on track for what is a truly unique event on the calendar. “This season especially, with the new generation cars, we can expect it to be particularly exciting,” said the Finn. “These new cars tend to slide easily and in Monaco there’s not much room to drift off line.”

As always, the car plays an important role, but Monaco also highlights a driver’s ability. “This track is unique, as you have to give your all from the first to the 78th lap,” Kimi told www.ferrari.com. “Qualifying can have a big effect on the outcome, an area on which we are doing our utmost to improve. After the last race, we stayed on in Barcelona for the test, which was reasonably positive: we had problems at the start, but by the end, I can say I was pleased with the work we managed to get through. The F14 T is improving and I am sure that, step by step, the results will come, but we must push harder to get them.”

Raikkonen then returned to the topic of Monaco, a Grand Prix with a very special atmosphere. “The Monaco race is very complicated right from Thursday morning. It will be vital not to lose any time in free practice, trying to do as many laps as possible to quickly get a feel for things in between the barriers. It’s difficult to do well here, but it’s enormously satisfying when you get it right.”

- See more at: http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/kim....MkR5gNQI.dpuf