SF Cars?

 

Hey--2 points!

 

Scuderia Ferrari
That very well may be one of the best races I've seen. Kimi proves he's not a machine by bashing up his car into the back of a very well running Sutil. Hami takes a much needed win. Bob brings home a hard earned 2nd. Rumors persist that Ferrari is knocking on Fred's door along with a few teams checking out Bob as a future driver.

 

OK.....but they are just before a crosswalk and located on both sides of the street, just like the Wiki article describes them as warnings for an upcoming crosswalk. Man I am glad I don't have to drive over there what with all of the different countries having there own and different laws.........

 

Well, actually they ARE different from the Wiki photo. Those zigzags are white, shallower, and are on the center stripe as well. We've never seen them in our travels--certainly not on this trip, and I don't recall on any others, either. The zigzags I'm describing are yellow, have sharper angles, and are all over Italy, France, and of course, Monaco. They appear in the cities, villages, and open highways alike. Also only on the curb side of the lane, because that's where the bus stops!

Driving isn't that bad, as long as you are brave and bold on the roundabouts, understand the universal-language signs, ignore the ones you don't understand (just kiddin'), and can afford the fuel. We paid $120 and $135 for our two fill-ups, diesel, in an Alfa 159. That was for about 900 to 1000 miles (forgot to notice).

And by all means, go to your dentist before you leave. Can be quite an experience if you don't--Italian speaking Greek dentist, who doesn't speak much English, treating an English-speaking American, who doesn't speak much Italian. I dunno, maybe we should have tried German? I'm better with that language. I did figure out "radiografica," understood the pantomime "are you pregnant?" (HAH! At MY age?) and periodically jumped to the ceiling when he drilled (no novocaine). Fortunately had the 90 Euros ($150) in cash, no credit card. Also was able to find the farmacia, where my antibiotic prescription, written for 14 days, was filled by a prepackaged box for 12 days. Go figure...

 

I felt so bad for Sutil.

With BMW coming on so strong, I'd be surprised if Bob went anywhere else.

 

I'll second all that.

I know it's a very unpopular opinion but I can't figure out why they still race at Monte Carlo. The place isn't even safe when it's dry.

 

Third. Even the announcers were devistated.

Because it's awesome? Seriously though, there's a lot of history there. It would be like not having a race in Monza with the the stands filled with the tifosi in red or the drama and politics that is F1.

 

Yes, there's lots of history there. It's extremely tight, too. We walked the course in about an hour, stopping here and there. Lots of other people were doing that, too. There are some times you have to walk along the street (the drivers seem to expect that and give way), but most of the time you are able to walk behind the barricades. In the tunnel, for example, there is a large walkway behind the metal on the left--you can't see it on TV.

The chicane looks like a small traffic island--no hint from tv viewing that it is such a big deal. I'm surprised they don't use the run-off area more often!

I think the main reason is that it's the social event of the year. The yachts come in (and you can walk along the dock right up to them, with their uniformed crew members), the Bentleys and Ferraris are all over, and the rich don't have to worry about prices, so all the window shopping is just that for the rest of us. It's the land of the $3.00 cookie. But is Bahrain any match, just because it's newer (and safer). Nah! I don't think Monaco will ever be taken off the circuit, even after Bernie retires. The drivers love it too much!

 

Except for Massa. He's apparently pretty vocal about not liking it there.

 

That's true--I was really rooting for him, too--just so he'd change his mind!

 

And what street circuit is safe? They are all conrete canyons and more times than not produce follow-the-leader events.

 

But I'll tell you what.....Monaco has one of the (IMO) best corners on the F1 circuit. I just love that quick left right at the swiming pool! Add that to Eau Rouge (Sp?) and turn 1 at Silverstone....... massive change of direction.

 

130R beats all.

 

Although, Istanbul's 4 apex Turn 8 is quite a thrill, too.

Skip ahead to about 2:10

 

They get rid of Zanvoort but keep on going with Monaco, which is like watching F1 cars on a go kart track.

In the latest issue of Motorsport, there's some great reading about Bernie, and the USGP through the years.

 

If I had the chance to attend any F1 race it would be Monaco I just can't imagine anything else in the world quite like it - well maybe running of the bulls in Spain. Racing through the city streets just floors me.

It was great to see Hammy take this race and get points for the Silver Arrows. Rumors about Alonso, who really wants him He could drive the Renaults when mass dampeners were allowed but no one else could. Trulli was always behind by at least .3s per lap. Same car same setup. I want Kimi to win but I don't want him to run away with it!

 

I think the Monaco GP can be summed up in one word: Wow. It really had everything -- crashes, stupid crashes (Alonso's attempt to cut the hairpin), strategy around the tires -- and didn't turn into a follow-the-leader run with the pole sitter winning it all.

I think also that the street circuit allows for the most exciting camera work (probably in combination with the cars only going 50 mph at times around the tighter corners); I thought I felt so close to the action. Just a blast to watch!

 

I was trying to set up my DVR to record the Canadian GP, but I can't seem to find a listing. Speed shows the qualifying on Sat but no race for Sun. Anyone know what the heck is going on?

 

It's on Fox from noon - 2pm.

 

 

Oh, thats right. We're gonna have to put up with Fox's crappy broadcasting of F1 again. Like last year when there was a crash on track and I'm sitting there yelling at my TV because all I see is a shot of a flag man or crew members in the pits.

 

Better than CBS's announcing!

Actually, I think the tv feed comes from the track itself, not the network. Not sure about that, but that's what Hobbs or someone said last year.

 

Maybe thats what it was. I knew someone had hella crappy broadcasting the one year.

 

CBS. THE worst.