Monaco Grand Prix: Podium example

This year Formula 1 will say goodbye to Monaco. No, the podium in a cozy tiny town on the Cote d’Azur will probably remain for a few more years, but in tomorrow’s Formula 1 it will no longer play its former role.

There are traditions that must be followed to maintain continuity, but the American Formula 1 owners of Liberty Media have different interests, a different view of the beautiful life than Bernie Ecclestone. The contract he signed with the organizers of the Grand Prix expires this year, and next year [если] will be signed, then with Liberty Media and subject to other terms.

Americans will not transport partners and sponsors to Monaco, where there is no airport and large prestigious hotels. They don’t care about the legendary status of the track around the casino. The role of the exhibition stage is now played by the Miami Grand Prix, and next year the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be added, which is generally all about the casino.

This year there will probably still be many expensive yachts in Monaco, the teams and partners of the World Cup rent them for their guests to treat them to champagne, and invite them to a party after the sessions. The Stade Louis II will again host the traditional National Piloti football match, then a fashion show and a charity auction, but the weekend has already lasted three days and from next season onwards, the Automobile Club of Monaco will have to pay for a Formula 1 contract – and look for funds to offset these costs.

Where Formula 1 used to need a status podium in Monaco, Monaco now needs a Formula 1 podium to remind the rest of the world once a year of the existence of a tiny principality in a cozy corner of the Cote d’ Azure.

Fans need a race in Monaco. Everyone is used to the fact that overtaking is impossible there, and it doesn’t matter. Overtaking is rare on many tracks, but what happens in Monaco remains in suspense throughout absolutely all sessions – spectators and drivers alike who need extreme concentration to attack at the limit on a narrow track surrounded by barriers. And neither in Baku there is such a charm, nor in Singapore, which everyone almost forgot, but soon everyone will remember this beautiful, but unbearably long and boring race, nor on the new circuit in Miami. Because in Monaco – the original and the rest – copies.

“Warm lamp” stage! If there’s a racing god in the world, let him leave it to us forever.

Win in Monaco, go to the prince’s chest for the ACM cup and come to the official dinner for the winners in the evening [взяв перед этим в прокате фрак] with his lordship Albert Alexander Louis Pierre Grimaldi this is a special honour. A unique and worthy reward for the best of those who will be racing this weekend at an average speed of 150 km/h through the narrow streets of the coastal city – and don’t think this is a bit.

The Monaco round rounds out a series of seven races at the start of the season, which will be held on completely different circuits. The alignment of forces has changed several times, but is approximately clear. Ferrari was beginning to realize that despite all the efforts and impressive progress, the title, much to the chagrin of the tifosi, might not go to them. We will see what conclusions are drawn in the summer.

In the first quarter of the season, the Red Bull car was faster and more versatile, the team worked effectively with strategy, used Sergio Perez to their advantage – as a result, Max Verstappen won all the races in which he did not retire.

Just three stages ago – after the Australian Grand Prix – he was 46 points behind Charles Leclerc, and now he is in the lead, six points ahead of the Monegask. The victory in Barcelona during Leclerc’s technical retirement was very important psychologically, which is probably why Red Bull sacrificed Sergio Perez’s interests so clearly. Now Ferrari must catch up with Red Bull’s winning car.

Leclerc has a bad track record at home. He took part in the Monaco Grand Prix three times, took one pole position and stopped three times. And if he doesn’t take the initiative this weekend, or worse, if he falls again, Verstappen’s chances of winning will increase significantly. Red Bull will not miss theirs.

A year ago, Max arrived in Monaco 14 points behind Lewis Hamilton, who won three races and took one victory over Verstappen – and eventually became champion. Now Max has four wins against two for Leclerc, but the battle continues. Ferrari will also try to seize this opportunity to win its first league title since 2007 and its first constructors’ championship since 2008. There is time. As is now customary: “The end of the season is still a long way off.”