Monte Carlo or Bust?

Once again all eyes were fixed on the streets of Monte Carlo last weekend as Formula One’s crown jewel took place, the Monaco Grand Prix. Lauded for its glitz and glamour, to those who watched, we were hoping for an eye-catching race that matched the scenery on view. Nevertheless, if you are like me, you might have felt a little short-changed by last weekend’s proceedings.

I enjoy the unique variances that each Formula One race provides us from a viewing perspective, and think those at the helm in Formula One have got the balance right in staging races from the spectacular and novel, to the challenging and demanding. However, I do feel the Monaco Grand Prix is in danger of not necessarily falling into this progressive category. I would even go as far to say that I actually do not look forward to the Monaco Grand Prix, when I know it is the next race on the F1 calendar. 

Now to some of you reading this, you might be wondering what on earth I have been drinking to make such a statement. But lets be honest, the Monaco Grand Prix is nothing more than a well staged dazzling procession, where the cars involved have little or no chance to overtake. A race where the qualifying positions are king, and the starting grid near enough replicates the finishing places of the cars. Where is the excitement in watching such an occurrence? I for one would like to see a bit of racing in my motor sport.

In addition, what also dampens my enthusiasm of the grand prix, is the circuit’s narrow streets which I feel harms the natural flow of the contest from a watching viewpoint. Why you may ask? Well, with little or no runoff area in a built up region and the track being so tight in terms of width space, any accident that arises is likely going to result in the race temporarily being halted. Usually by the means of the safety car, or the race being suspended altogether for particular period of time.

Now employing such measures is not exclusive episode to the Monaco GP, we often see the use of the safety car or race being brought to a standstill at many other track venues. But these precautions are going to be slightly more frequent on the Monaco circuit, as the clean-up operation is going to be that more prolonged when an accident occurs before the race can continue. And more importantly, the safety of a driver or drivers involved in an incident is always the primary point of concern, and should never be hurried for the sake of the race to resume at full pace.

But as we saw in this year’s event, such a scenario occurred both in the qualifying and the race itself. Negatively affecting the strategies of the drivers and teams particularly at the top end, and dramatically influencing who won the race and how it was won. Should this be the way a prestigious race is concluded, especially when matched up to the efforts Formula One is putting together in trying to make its races more exciting and competitive?    

Barring its picturesque settings, should the F1 road show by-pass the principality of Monaco altogether as a consequence in reviewing the points mentioned? Personally I think maybe it is time. Or at the very least, Formula One needs to make impactful positive changes to how the Monaco Grand Prix is run. Because for far too long the event has been in need of adjustments, and more thrilling than what we saw last weekend as an example. 

Newly introduced races in Abu Dhabi and Singapore, and modern complexes being built on-site at many of the tracks featured, have helped F1 be fresh and current. Monaco needs to keep pace in its exhilaration or be a relic of the past. Though on a personal note, if the sport could still retain the beautiful scantily-clad ladies that we often see circling around the track that would be great!

F1 Goes Wet, Wet, Wet?

Defending Formula One world champion, Sebastian Vettel, appears to be all revved up as the man to beat in the 2011 season. Looking in ominous form, the Red Bull driver dominated the first two races of the campaign, and was on course to make it three wins out of three in the recent Chinese Grand Prix. Had it not been for a mercurial overtaking driving display from Lewis Hamilton, this feat may well have been achieved. Nevertheless, with a second place finish in the race, Vettel still leads the Drivers’ Championship, as his major title rivals look for improved performances and big points in the coming races.

Before the season spun into motion however, Vettel and the remaining competing teams have seen a number of impactful regulation changes being initiated by the sport’s officials. Featured new rulings have included a new tyre supplier, movable rear wings, and KERS technology returning to a car’s setup in boosting acceleration. Viewed as a purposeful shake-up, many fans hope this year’s campaign will equally be comparable to the 2010 championship, where the title chase went down to the final race.

This season’s build-up also heard mooted suggestions by F1 chief, Bernie Ecclestone, claiming that future championships could be staged under artificial wet weather conditions. In a bold move, Ecclestone openly sounded out an introduction of water sprinklers that would simulate rain on selected tracks. A scenario that he believes would help boost the sport’s profile, and gain new attention to Formula One as a whole.   

Such a controversial proposal has naturally divided opinion amongst many in and around the sport. There are those supportive of Ecclestone’s idea, and feel by creating a challenging situation for the drivers under wet conditions, the cars would need a greater degree of control when being driven. Circling the track at a slower pace, and overtaking being somewhat more creative in its execution, wet races is perceived as an attractive spectacle to onlookers. The setting would act as a leveller for the drivers, whilst lessening the sport’s overdependence on a team’s technical prowess.

However there are those who have branded the plan a non-starter, and should be retired to the pits. A volatile measure which would increase possible crashes and risk driver safety, and adversely dampen the excitement for fans as the cars would go so slow, the element of speed in motor racing would evaporate. Amongst this consensus includes many of today’s current drivers, of which features former F1 champ, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, who is currently Sebastian Vettel nearest challenger in the 2011 standings, dubbed the idea “a gimmick too far”.

Time will tell if Ecclestone does indeed get his wish. But in a sport where change and adjustments can occur at speed just like the cars featured, do not be surprised if ‘staged’ wet racing is soon an established aspect in Formula One events.