Monaco GP separates men from boys… but Oh boy, what a win!
Monaco, 27 May 2018: The Monaco GP is as extreme as it’s brutal. Hot-footing it for 78 laps while avoiding the ever-welcoming walls on this unique circuit does separate the men from the boys but in this case, the boy won! And in great style too.
To soak in the pressure from the likes of Vettel and Hamilton is not for the weak-hearted. However, the ever-smiling assassin, Ricciardo, had the comfort of leading the race from the get-go knowing very well that to catch him was one thing but to overtake was another story, all together.
Vettel and Hammy were not losing much sleep over his victory as they had racked up valuable points where it mattered since Ricciardo was not their title contender for the time being. Redbull’s pace is for real, however, and as the circus moves to more-traditional circuits such as Canada, the wheat shall be separated from the chaff! By and large, F1 is having the best season ever with so many drivers and teams in contention.
Kimi and Bottas played the role of mere spectators at the Mecca of F1 and all they could do was go round and round the mulberry bush just hoping for a safety car to show up! When it actually did it was only a virtual safety car a few laps before the checkered flag that didn’t threaten the proceedings much. The winner, however, had to go through many anxious moments throughout the race as his car had a myriad of technical issues that threatened his otherwise perfect weekend. He, of course, had a far-better weekend than his teammate, Max Verstappen, who has become a famous trouble magnet! He simply has to take one step back to go two forward. His eagerness is his downfall. Currently a maverick but hopefully soon a champion!
Force India had yet another day to cheer as Esteban Ocon, the cool youngster put his Mercedes powered VJM11 chassis into the sixth slot. He is no fluke and a lot can be expected of him as the season progresses. Against all odds, team FI is punching considerably above its weight.
Monaco would, meanwhile, do well to create more over-overtaking room, otherwise, it may border on boring eventually! Qualifying results should not resemble race results! It’s wildly popular as is expensive and that suits the F1 characteristic. Advantage – partying and the wildlife!
Anyway, the 20-car train does look spectacular to the uninitiated and for some die-hards, it does increase the adrenaline. Whatever works I guess.
Two weeks later at Montreal, the real story may be told but then having seen the lopsided results thus far, for me to hazard a guess to spot winners will be rather foolish!
2018 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix – Race Results:
1 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull Racing-
2 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 7.336
3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 17.013
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 18.127
5 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes 18.822
6 Esteban Ocon Force India 23.667
7 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso 24.331
8 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 24.839
9 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 25.317
10 Carlos Sainz Renault 1’09.013
11 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1’09.864
12 Sergio Perez Force India 1’10.461
13 Kevin Magnussen Haas 1’14.823
14 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren 1 lap
15 Romain Grosjean Haas 1 lap
16 Sergey Sirotkin Williams 1 lap
17 Lance Stroll Williams 2 laps
Charles Leclerc Sauber 8 laps
Brendon Hartley Toro Rosso 8 laps
Fernando Alonso McLaren 26 laps.
