2016 Monaco Grand Prix Winners and Losers

Driver of the Day

Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull, P2)

The (usually) smiley Australian dominated the practice sessions and romped his way to a maiden pole position on Saturday. On pure pace he appeared set to take his maiden victory of 2016, before Rosberg waived Hamilton past he was leading by 13 seconds in very wet conditions. The Red Bull called Ricciardo in to pit for a second time on lap 35, but a ridiculous breakdown in communication between the pit engineers and mechanics threw away a certain win for Ricciardo. The Perth driver tried as he might behind a canny Lewis Hamilton, but the super soft compounds ran out of grip and Ricciardo eventually surrendered in the closing laps. Daylight robbery at its worst in F1.

Winners

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes, P1)

After a difficult Saturday, where the Briton qualified P3, Hamilton waited patiently behind Rosberg in the opening laps. The impetuousness of the opening lap from Spanish Grand Prix two weeks ago was gracefully absent and an act of good will from his team-mate changed the game for Hamilton. Hamilton’s tyre conservation came up trumps on both the wet and ultra-soft compounds, where his magnificent performance on the latter set of tyres awarded him his maiden victory of 2016 and brings him 26 points behind Rosberg.

Sergio Perez (Force India, P3)

An inspired decision by his team to prolong his wet compound stint worked wonders for the mercurial Mexican, where he was able to leapfrog Alonso, Vettel, Hulkenberg & Sainz. Holding off Vettel will do no harm for Perez, who is rekindling his reputation after a few anonymous seasons since his breakthrough performances at Sauber.

Fernando Alonso (McLaren, P5)

On a track where engine power is not factor, Alonso and McLaren played a blinder with their pit strategy and although his defense against Rosberg was at times unsportsmanlike, the veteran Spaniard clocked up ten valuable points for the Woking-based squad.

Carlos Sainz, Jr. (Toro Rosso, P8)

The young Spaniard continues to flourish since Verstappen’s departure and this result will boost Sainz’s strengthening bargaining position within the upcoming silly season.

Rejects of the Day

Sauber, Felipe Nasr & Marcus Ericsson (DNF & DNF)

For a team in severe fiscal crisis, this was the ultimate meltdown from hell. There was nothing to gain from either driver’s actions- Nasr refused to give way to Ericsson on the run-up to Turn 1 and Ericsson clobbered into the side of Nasr at Rascasse at the end of the lap in question. Monisha Kaltenborn cannot sack or even sanction either driver properly due to their invaluable sponsorship money, which leaves the tension further exacerbated within the Swiss team. It is imperative Kaltenborn and Peter Sauber find a strong backer to buy a stake within this crippling organisation, otherwise the end of Sauber is looming as we speak.

Losers

Nico Rosberg (Mercedes, P7)

Brake issues hindered the WDC leader’s day, but he arguably made matters worse for himself by obeying team orders in allowing Hamilton past. Today’s result leaves Rosberg with only a 26 point cushion over his illustrious team-mate and his selflessness and honesty may cost him yet another elusive championship victory.

Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso, DNF) Kevin Magnussen (Renault, DNF) Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari, DNF), Daniil Kvyat & Jolyon Palmer (Renault, DNF)

Circuit de Monaco proved itself as the “jewel of F1” with its traditional collection of victims. Palmer damaged his fading status further with an embarrassing early crash behind the safety car, Kimi Raikkonen ousted himself shortly afterwards with an investigation over his refusal to park his Ferrari before the tunnel, Daniil Kvyat & Kevin Magnussen wrecked each other’s races with a clumsy collision at Rascasse, whilst Max Verstappen suffered his third crash in the weekend at Massenet in his sightseeing tour of the Principality.

Driver of the day

Romain Grosjean X2

Nico Rosberg X1

Kevin Magnussen X1

Max Verstappen X1

Daniel Ricciardo X1

Reject of the day

F1 Authorities X1

Williams X1

Sebastian Vettel X1

Daniil Kvyat X1

Mercedes X1

Sauber X1

An open letter to the Bianchis

RIP Jules

A Former F1 Doc Writes

Today’s news (opens in new window/tab)

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bianchi,

Forgive me for (once again) intruding into your lives.

Once again,  allow me to tell you that you have been examples of dignity and humanity in the face of unthinkable tragedy. While I cannot possibly understand the depth of the tragedy you have faced, as a father I can understand its immensity. And through it all, you have remained open and full of love and respect. You are marvellous people and you are forever in the minds and hearts of hundreds of thousands of Jules’ fans .

While it is not for me to judge “correctness” or propriety, I believe you are doing the right thing in seeking legal redress for the tragedy that has befallen you. It goes without saying that nothing will re-kindle the light that Jules brought us, but it goes without saying that your reasons lie…

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2016 Spanish Grand Prix Winners & Losers

Driver of the day Max Verstappen (P1)

Reject of the day Mercedes (DNF)

D/Tofd

Romain Grosjean X2

Haas X1

Nico Rosberg X1

Kevin Magnussen X1

Max Verstappen X1

Rofd

F1 Authorities X1

Williams X1

Sebastian Vettel X1

Daniil Kvyat X1

Mercedes X1

Review of Lewis Hamilton’s 2016 post-Russia

Claims of sabotage engulfed social media during last weekend’s Russian Grand Prix, with many fabricating preposterous claims that Mercedes were favouring Nico Rosberg’s pursuit of a first WDC. It is undeniable that Lewis Hamilton has suffered an ungodly amount of bad luck this season thus far. However, most of this has resulted from mechanical issues and collisions with unruly competitors (i.e. Valtteri Bottas at Bahrain & Felipe Nasr at China).

The picture above shows Daniil Kvyat’s impetuous clash with Sebastian Vettel on the entry to Turn 3 during the first lap of yesterday’s Russian Grand Prix. The silver car jinking to the left is none other than Hamilton’s Mercedes, who narrowly avoids contact with Vettel’s spinning Ferrari. This is arguably the first instance of lady luck the Briton has received this season, as had his Mercedes had been hit and stricken by the Kyvat-Vettel collision, the deluded members of #LH44 fanbase would have blown their nuts off in fury.

On the 22nd anniversary of Ratzenberger & Senna’s deaths, to make such horrendous comments is just unbelievable and inhumane in the extreme. In an era of jilted and mentally disturbed F1 fanatics, this is the last thing anyone should condone. What’s even more disturbing is the fact that 46 Facebook users “liked” this comment post (!). Why on earth would a multinational corporation pay a global superstar £21 million per annum and provide him with a car with faulty mechanical parts? Not to mention the £400 million+ race & development budget spent to provide Hamilton and Rosberg the best car for the past two seasons. Last year Mercedes published their financial accounts for the 2014 season, recording losses of £76.9 million!

Although Ferrari is struggling with torrid reliability and driver collisions, Mercedes is well aware of the potential of the Prancing Horse to catch up dramatically if the Italians are able to fully rectify their current mechanical issues, as well as extract more all-round speed out of the SF16-H, a serious title fight on the WDC & WCC awaits them. In addition, if Kimi Raikkonen can continue his improved performances, a genuine four-way awaits this season and seventeen races still remain in what will be the longest season of Grand Prix racing.  Unfortunately, a sport like Formula 1 will always attract deranged parasites amongst its fanbase and their attitudes need to be reviewed and dealt with accordingly.

In the words of Lewis Hamilton:

We win and lose together.

Russian GP Review 2016

What a boring race 3/10. Pirelli should have bought ultra-softs.

DRIVER OF THE DAY

Kevin Magnussen (P7) Renault

REJECT OF THE DAY

Daniil Kvyat (P15) Red Bull

What a moron. Red bull’s decision to change to mediums was bizarre.

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DRIVER/TEAM OF THE DAY

Grosjean X2

Haas X1

Rosberg X1

Magnussen X1

REJECT OF THE DAY

F1 Authorities X1

Williams X1

Vettel X1

Kyvat X1