MONACO GP 2013

The Monaco Grand Prix is a Formula One motor race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The circuit has been called "an exceptional location of glamour and prestige."

The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race. It is the only Grand Prix that does not adhere to the FIA's mandated 305 kilometres (190 mi) minimum race distance.

The first race in 1929, was organised by Anthony Noghès under the auspices of the "Automobile Club de Monaco", and was won by William Grover-Williams driving a Bugatti. The event was part of the pre-Second World War European Championship and was included in the first Formula One World Championship in 1950. It was designated the European Grand Prix two times, 1955 and 1963, when this title was an honorary designation given each year to one Grand Prix race in Europe. Graham Hill was known as "Mr. Monaco" due to his five Monaco wins in the 1960s. Brazil's Ayrton Senna won the race more times than any other driver, with six victories, winning five races consecutively between 1989 and 1993.

Monaco looks set to be a strong race for Mercedes, if they can hold the tires together. They should though as the track is pretty slow and does not have any high speed, high energy corners. If they get pole they might just be able to hold on for the win provided their strategy is able to beat the Ferraris, Red Bulls and Lotus (who are able to 1 stop due to their excellent tire management).

TRACK CHARACTERISTICS

Circuit length : 3.34 kilometres
Race distance : 78 laps (260.52 kilometres)
Corners : 19 corners in total
Average lap speed : 160km/h (Slowest lap of the season)
Aerodynamic setup : High downforce
Top speed : 295km/h (with Drag Reduction System active on rear wing) – 285km/h without
Full throttle : 45% of the lap (lowest of year)
Total fuel needed for race distance : 120kg (very low)
Fuel consumption : 1.55 kg per lap (very low)
Time spent braking : 12% of the lap (high)
Braking zones : 13
Brake wear : Medium
Gear changes per lap : 48
Total time needed for pit stop : 25 seconds
Fuel effect (cost in lap time per 10kg of fuel carried) : 0.28 seconds (very low)
Lap record : 1:14.439 (Michael Schumacher, Ferrari, 2004)

DRS

As expected, just one DRS zone will be in place for the 2013 Monaco Grand Prix, with governing body the FIA choosing to retain the area along the start-finish straight. The detection point has been placed between Turns 16 and 17, while the activation marker comes on the exit of the final corner (Turn 19) for the run to St. Devote. For the opening five Grands Prix of the season, two DRS areas had been elected, but the restricted nature of the Monte-Carlo street circuit limits the FIA to just one zone.

WEATHER FORECAST

The forecast looks good with temperatures around 20 degrees and a low chance of rain. Being coastal however rain can arrive quite suddenly and there is a threat of rain for race day. For full weather forecast this weekend in Monaco click HERE.

Updates : Clear skies and warm conditions are expected from the beginning of the track action on Thursday. This should continue up to the race with temperatures hitting 20C on most days. There is a low chance of a thunderstorm on Saturday, but if it does come it is expected to be in the evening. It should also be a sunny race day.

TIRES

Pirelli tyre choice for Monaco: Supersoft and Soft.

Monaco is gentle on tires, the track surface is smooth and there are no high energy corners. Cars that go well in Monaco have plenty of low speed downforce and traction, for good corner exit performance. The Mercedes was the fastest car in the slow Sector 3 in Barcelona, which is usually a good indicator of pace for Monaco. We will see if they get pole whether they can hold off all the other cars.

SAFETY CAR

There is an 80% risk of Safety Car intervention with a total of 14 Safety Car periods in the past ten years. And if one is deployed at the right time it can make your race. But if it falls at the wrong time, your victory plans fall apart – as they did for Jenson Button in 2011, who was trying to drive flat out uninterrupted on three stops, a risky plan given the likelihood of the safety car.

Hopefully this won't be a Mercedes train as if they take pole, which I think they will and if their tire problems persist like in Spain, they will create a very long train. As Rosberg points out:

"But our race pace is not sorted yet. We might have made some progress but it's still a problem that we have and it's not going to go away from one race to the next."

And of course we have our most able driver up to his usual mind games with Vettel saying Mercedes are up for it and Red Bull has had it easy so now when they fall on their face, it's hard for them to accept it. So from the red corner we have Ferrrrrrrrrrrnandooooooooooooo:

"Sometimes, when you win too easy for some years, it is difficult to lose some races afterwards."

"They will arrive as favourites. They've been on pole the last three races, It's more difficult to overtake in Monaco... so maybe they can keep good positions for longer."

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