The glitziest race of the year. Everyone who is anyone (or thinks they are) is here, trying to out-do each other with the biggest yacht, the biggest diamond, or the tallest model girlfriend. The race is a side issue, usually being decided in the run down to the first corner and who’s got the biggest traction control…
We only had 19 starters, due to Prof. Sid deciding that Jensen shouldn’t risk another concussion after his big accident coming out of the tunnel on Saturday morning.
The start was at least clean, with JPM getting the drop on Raikonnen, who only just managed to keep ahead of Trulli. Michael got up to 4th, but Alonso passed DC for 6th. Harry-Heinz stuffs it into the barriers at the swimming pool, so we have a safety car for a few laps. After the racing begins again, Ralf leads from JPM and Kimi, and they spend time swapping fastest laps, pulling ahead of Trulli who is holding up Michael.
Pizzaman disappears without a trace (just like his F1 career) and Weber pits first after 14 laps. Not a scheduled one though, and he’s soon sidelined as well, so much for painting a pink jaguar on the side of your car.
The real stops begin on lap 21 with Ralph, who makes a bit of a mess of it, resulting in JPM getting out in front of him, as does Raikonnen. Trulli and DC pit together, but Trulli stays ahead. Michael is the last to stop on lap 31, but strangely Ferrari don't swap him on to a one-stop, although he gets out ahead of brother Ralph.
After the first set of stops then, it’s JPM from Kimi, Michael and Ralph, Trulli and DC. JPM and Michael being the winners in this one.
JPM and Raikonnen pull out about 10s from Michael and Ralph, who don’t seem to be on the pace, a further 10s or so from Trulli, DC, Alonso and a very lacklustre Rubens.
The Minardis disappear, which is a good thing, but nothing much happens until the second round of stops, when it’s all down to who puts the best laps in between JPM and Raikonnen in the couple of laps between their stops.
It turns out to be JPM, who gets out a couple of seconds ahead in what will become the lead. Ralph completely messes it up at La Rascasse, having to a bit of a three point turn before carrying on. Alonso is the only winner in the second round of stops, although DC and Trulli nearly collect each other when they pit together again.
It’s a procession to the end, then, with JPM controlling everything at the front, Michael catching Raikonnen a bit, Ralph a lonely 4th, Alonso leading Trulli and DC, and a lonely Rubens filling the last points scoring position.
A weekend of firsts. The Monsters’ first win at Monaco, with a superbly controlled drive, and his first win in two years. Jensen’s first big accident. Williams’ first win at Monaco in 20 years. The first signs of a chink in the armour of the Fire Engines with a very average performance. And the first time in living memory that Patrick Head was seen to smile. Let’s hope the fun continues in Montreal!
The Mole
