The Loud Pedal EditorFormula 1, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red BullComment

Dude, Where's My Tires-Monaco GP Edition

The Loud Pedal EditorFormula 1, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red BullComment
Dude, Where's My Tires-Monaco GP Edition

It’s a well known fact, almost a scientific principle in Formula 1 that the Monaco Grand Prix isn’t decided on track during the race, but rather in qualifying as track position is key to getting the win.  The only other realistic place to make up a spot is in the pits.  If rule 1 held true, then Ricciardo was in the best position for victory after qualifying on pole, for the first time in his career.  He has gone 32 races without a win, a long drought for any top driver, but particularly when you drive for a four time Constructors Champion. 

As the race started under the safety car due to rain on the track, Ricciardo appeared to be in total control. When the race went full green, he would open up over a ten second lead on Nico Rosberg in second place.  Hamilton was obviously faster, and he hugged the rear of Rosberg’s car.  The team eventually asked Nico to let Hamilton through to take the fight to the leading Red Bull of Ricciardo, a decision that would later pay off...and big time.  Hamilton closed some of the gap but the decisive moment came as the conditions changed from a rain soaked track to the appearance of a dry line.  Ricciardo was summoned to the pits on lap 33, and in what should have been a few seconds of pit time turned to disaster.  He arrived into his pit stall and the new tires were not ready…not even close to being ready.  It was a bumbling error that added at least 10 seconds to the pit stop.  After the race Red Bull team officials would explain that the flub was caused by Ricardo's tires not being in the proper place in the garage.  Apparently, the call from the engineers to pit did not translate correctly to the pit stop engineers down below, leaving them scrambling for the tires in the rear of the garage.

Ricciardo put up a terrific fight from second place and  forced Hamilton to drive to his limits, but it was it wasn’t enough to prevent Hamilton from getting his first win of the season.

Force India’s Sergio Perez drove a fantastic race to claim the third place position and in the process kept Ferrari’s Vettel back in 4th place.  Frankly, at what point this season is Ferrari going to challenge Mercedes?  Ferrari was adamant at the beginning of the season that this was the season that the misfortunes of the Scuderia turn around as they have finally found the formula to challenge for the top step.  After every race this season as Ferrari have fallen short of their goal, the tifosi have been promised that change is on the way and that the team are only a sliver of carbon fiber away from the front of the pack.  Again, in Monaco the tifosi have been left waiting.

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