Race 6 - MONTE CARLO, MONACO (PRINCIPALITY OF) (WITH RESULTS)

RACE TIME - 4:30pm U.S. EDT, Sunday May 26th

The Streets of Monte Carlo

The race circuit has many elevation changes, tight corners, and a narrow course that makes it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One racing. As of 2010, two drivers have crashed and ended up in the harbor, the most famous being Alberto Ascari in 1955. Despite the fact that the course has had minor changes several times during its history, it is still considered the ultimate test of driving skills in Formula One, and if it were not already an existing Grand Prix, it would not be permitted to be added to the schedule for safety reasons. Notably, the course includes a tunnel. The contrast of daylight and gloom when entering/exiting the tunnel presents "challenges not faced elsewhere", as the drivers have to "adjust their vision as they emerge from the tunnel at the fastest point of the track and brake for the chicane in the daylight.". The fastest-ever lap was set by Kimi Räikkönen in qualifying for the 2006 Grand Prix, at 1:13.532. Triple Formula One champion Nelson Piquet was fond of saying that racing at Monaco was "like trying to cycle round your living room", but added that "a win here was worth two anywhere else."

A Lap Around Monaco in a Formula One Car

As you come down the slightly curving start/finish straight you should be up on 6th gear at the end of the straight. The first corner (Ste Devote) is a 3rd gear right. This turn is pretty sharp and there is absolutely no room for an error on the entire track. Finding your way through turn 1 you are now going down the uphill straight towards Casino. The rise here is pretty steep and requires a lot of engine power. As you reach the top of the hill you need to change down to the 3rd gear for the next turn, a long left-hander that tightens up. Keep your car right next to the wall on the inside of the track throughout this turn. Next go through the 3rd gear right at Casino, this turn opens up slightly at the exit. As you exit Casino you are going downhill, there is a big bump on the left side of the track so be careful. Next you go hard on the brakes and change down to the 1st gear for Mirabeau, a tight right-hander. As you exit Mirabeau you go through a slight "chicane", change up to the 3rd gear and then go hard on the brakes and change down to the 1st gear for the Loews hairpin, the tightest corner on the Monaco circuit. Try to keep the car right down to the apex of this tight left-hander. As you exit the Loews hairpin go up to the 2nd gear and go through the next corner - a tight right. You should go right over the kerbs on the inside of the track for the best possible line through this turn. Next you are facing another tight 2nd gear right at Portier.

As you exit Portier start accelerating up through the gears, dive into the tunnel. The road curves constantly to the right here but with the proper line you can take this whole tunnel "sequence" flat-out. As you come out of the tunnel the road will still be turning slightly to the right. You are now approaching the famous Nouvelle Chicane. The road drops pretty steeply at the braking zone which will make life a little more difficult for you. Go down to the 2nd gear. Watch the kerb on the inside of this chicane because it's pretty high. Going over the kerb here would lose you a lot of time. As you come out of the chicane apply full throttle. You should be up on 4th or 5th gear by the time you reach Tabac. Go down to the 3rd gear and go through the left kink. As you exit Tabac the road will be curving slightly to the left. You might be able to go up to the 4th gear before Swimming Pool Complex. Change down to the 3rd gear for the first part, take as straight a line as possible through this "chicane". You go left, then right, there is a very short straight between the two parts of Swimming Pool Complex but there is absolutely no breathing space here. As soon as you get your car straightened out you need to start braking again. Stay on 3rd gear through the second part - right, left.

Next you have some breathing space but not much. The next corner is very tricky because it tightens up a lot, if you enter it too fast you'll end up hitting the wall or if you enter it too slowly you'll lose time. You should be on 1st gear by the time you enter La Rascasse, a very slow "double-apex" right. Next you may step on the gas for a little while, the last corner at Monaco is a 2nd gear right. Go right down to the wall at the apex of the turn and slide the car out of the final corner. That was a lap around the Monaco street circuit.

Olliekart's Track/Setup Guide:


Yorkie's setup adnd track analysis:

This is going to be fun - NOT! I've not set a clean lap on this circuit in F1 2010 or 2012! Mercedes driver no 2 will be suffering here!

Oh, we ALL will be suffering along with you, I'm sure.

I will be at the Indy 500 so count me out.

A useful Monaco hotlap guide



Enjoy!

That's funny as shit Owen. I'm even afraid to practice.

The Lotus team plans to bring a separate 18-wheeler full of front wings, two extra cars, a nurse (who will double as our massage therapist) and scuba gear.

I don't know if I can go through the pain of practising! I don't even know why they bother having this circuit on the F1 calendar - it's not like it's actually a race! I'm betting that if a Mercedes gets on pole they will actually win this one (referring to the real team not Luongo and me)!

Our series race is going to be a case of who pits the least for a nose change.... LOL. Does anyone know if we're limited on number of changes in the game?

No wing limit as far as I know. And spot on with the "safe driver" theory. Maybe I have a decent shot in this one. I think Stroker has been the only brave soul to really dig into this track so far.

But, hey, this is a MUST for the F1 calendar. It's like a sideshow, not a real race, what with the setting and the film festival going on at the same time. Besides, the drivers all say it's the best test of their skill and not the engineer's skill, even if not a true test of their speed.

I will hop on for my first laps tomorrow. Fun fun

What time, maybe we can run a lobby and do a few laps for DTM at the same time? I'm more concerned about Nordschliefe because I can learn Monaco, but that 12 mile sonofabitch is going to be hell.

OctoberDusk06 wrote:No wing limit as far as I know. And spot on with the "safe driver" theory. Maybe I have a decent shot in this one. I think Stroker has been the only brave soul to really dig into this track so far.

But, hey, this is a MUST for the F1 calendar. It's like a sideshow, not a real race, what with the setting and the film festival going on at the same time. Besides, the drivers all say it's the best test of their skill and not the engineer's skill, even if not a true test of their speed.

Yeah, it's a must. It's the only race I don't get excited about watching tough (apart from when Massa and Hamilton were having their spat).

Did my first clean lap last night - didn't use KERS or DRS and posted a 1.23 which is pretty slow! but the main thing is learning the track before I start pushing for quick times.

I get excited to watch the pre-race. lol.

Stroker is hitting this one hard. I think the Red Bull team is planning a sneak attack on the standings, since Stroker's potential is so high (judging from Forza) and Harry is normally Mr. Consistent. I need to run this track alone for many laps, very slowly, and then THINK about going a little faster.

Anyone head from Kizza?

Home Sweet Home

Back from a long trip Mr. Vice President? Or do you mean your F1 "home"? Either way, welcome back! We missed you last race.

Got down to a clean 1:23.8xx in TT without hitting any walls but did use some KERS and DRS. Still have a long way to go....

sniper919 wrote:Home Sweet Home

I knew it! Whilst we're all clanging around you'll be driving this one whilst smoking a cigar and watching the NBA or NHL playoffs right???

I'm not sure about the game, but IRL, the engineers say that the DRS "boost" is exaggerated at high down-force tracks because it's releasing more "force" that is causing the "down" on the car. All I know is that I still can't take the tunnel turn WITH DRS on at full speed yet.

OctoberDusk06 wrote:I'm not sure about the game, but IRL, the engineers say that the DRS "boost" is exaggerated at high down-force tracks because it's releasing more "force" that is causing the "down" on the car. All I know is that I still can't take the tunnel turn WITH DRS on at full speed yet.

I think DRS automatically turns off in the tunnel for safety reasons.

Btw, it's currently raining in Monaco!!

Even better! As slow and safe as I was going, should play to my advantage! Lol

I think is does this year, as you can only use DRS in the allotted zones, even during qualifying. But if it did in the game, it would be a major exception because in 2012 DRS could be used generally anytime in qualifying. Of course, if it's raining, no DRS at all. Wow, I shudder to think about Monaco in the rain.

Driver Quotes and my take:

Adrian Sutil, Force India
“There’s no room for even the smallest mistake and that’s why it’s different to other tracks. You have to give the walls so much respect and build up your speed. More than anything it’s a test of your mental strength because you keep your concentration for nearly two hours during the race.” (Kenny bark = nose in wall).

Mike Coughlan, Williams technical director
“Monaco may be one of the shortest tracks of the year, but it’s the most demanding, especially for the driver. Although the corner speeds are the slowest on the calendar, you have to use as much of the track as possible and the closer the driver can put his car to the barriers the faster he will go. (So, apparently, I will be going at warp speed).

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus
“....As a real special race there is nothing like Monaco; there is no better feeling than to get things going well there. To race in the streets of Monte Carlo is really different from everywhere else and it’s a challenge I look forward to every year. It is very, very difficult - almost impossible in fact - to have a clean weekend down there. I’ve only managed to get it right once before and you really experience the greatest feeling you can get by winning it. My win in 2005 ranks up there with my most memorable, so to win it again would be just as special. It’s such a narrow, twisty track; you have to be extra sharp and focused through every single metre. It gives such a good feeling; a fast lap around Monaco. Overtaking is almost impossible, so to really enjoy racing there you have to be in the front. We have to focus on qualifying. It’s a difficult place to race as it’s so narrow and - as I said before - passing is nearly impossible.”
(right on the money)

Overtaking is pretty easy if you ask me - just wait for the car in front to hit the barrier on the next bend!!!

I had a quick spin this evening - was 3.5 seconds up on my fastest lap time when I decided to hit the barrier on the final bend!! I give up!

True. So true. War of attrition. And I'm not so sure bout the whole "it gives such a good feeling...." comment either. Maybe if you master it, but I don't see that happening anytime soon. I think the drivers like it, despite the wall smashing, because they have a higher percentage in determining the outcome.

By the way -- Don't the new graphic standings Owen posted look great! Thank you for doing this. Look forward to the weekly updates. Official standings are still in the bottom thread, but the charts Owen posts will match them and are much easier to read and look slicker.

Thanks October - I've updated it to include weekly results. I've only included results with race participants as it was a lot of work in one go, but when I update future races I will include DNS's.

Monaco in the wet wow my dream history will be made in this race place your head between your legs and kiss your asses goodbye guys LMAO.