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[Coronis]

Can't wait for this, should be brilliant. Whats the record for most races without a safety car? Could break it this year. Fortunately there always incidents at Monaco, gotta love the thin track. All dry races so far too, I'd like to see some variety.

Can see Ferrari this year battling just to beat Mercedes and Renault...

[vaptin]

I think Ferrari/Alonso are going to be very strong here. Their car is mechanically very good (the best, imo), ie in the slow corners and over bumps, etc etc... Whether that'll be enough to counter the Red Bull and to a lesser extent McLaren advantage in the quicker corners remains to be seen, but i think they'll mix it up a bit at the very least.

If Alonso continues his run of form, he might be able to get up there again and make a difference. Monaco favours that sort of thing, just forcing the car through quickly rather than relying on aerodynamics. I guess Alonso's used to having to drive like that now.

Failing that, have Massa run long and cause a train or something.

Hopefully something crazy will happen in this race, and we won't see more Vettel dominance.

[darwin dali]

Can't wait for this, should be brilliant. Whats the record for most races without a safety car? Could break it this year. Fortunately there always incidents at Monaco, gotta love the thin track. All dry races so far too, I'd like to see some variety.

Can see Ferrari this year battling just to beat Mercedes and Renault...

Yeah, Monaco has been on a Weight Watcher diet for ages now.

[LewEngBridewell]

I think Ferrari/Alonso are going to be very strong here. Their car is mechanically very good (the best, imo), ie in the slow corners and over bumps, etc etc... Whether that'll be enough to counter the Red Bull and to a lesser extent McLaren advantage in the quicker corners remains to be seen, but i think they'll mix it up a bit at the very least.

If Alonso continues his run of form, he might be able to get up there again and make a difference. Monaco favours that sort of thing, just forcing the car through quickly rather than relying on aerodynamics. I guess Alonso's used to having to drive like that now.

I seriously doubt Ferrari will be a challenge. The best cars always end up being at the front anyway. Red Bull and McLaren will lead from the rest.

[Coronis]

Can't wait for this, should be brilliant. Whats the record for most races without a safety car? Could break it this year. Fortunately there always incidents at Monaco, gotta love the thin track. All dry races so far too, I'd like to see some variety.

Can see Ferrari this year battling just to beat Mercedes and Renault...

Yeah, Monaco has been on a Weight Watcher diet for ages now.

Worked better for Monaco than me so far!

[scotty]

The best cars always end up being at the front anyway.

To an extent, yeah they usually do but we can see from recent seasons that things can easily change where different car characteristics suit different circuits. Especially at an extreme circuit like this.

[Hammer278]

Agree, and it could be the best place for a (finally) non-Redbull pole. Their high speed advantage is completely negated here, blown diffusers and what not, would not count as much in Monaco. I think it will be a straight fight for pole between 4 drivers, both Redbulls, Lewis and Alonso. Qualifying could be as interesting as the race!

[What's Burning?]

I'd love to see a dark horse, Kobayashi maybe on podium!

[scotty]

Qualifying could be as interesting as the race!

Despite what a lot of people say qualifying IS still important (especially here, obviously) - although overtaking is much easier now, track position is still mega important at every race because it allows a driver to run maximum pace and make the most of when the tyres are fresh (you could see this at Barcelona - Vettel was able to make a break for it ahead of Alonso, which arguably won him the race).

[FerrariFan63]

A nice thought, but I think I'll wait for some fast practice times before I start getting too many hopes up.

[bud]

Qualifying will still be important especially here, not the easiest place to pass, doubt even with DRS too! I think we will see a few offs on Friday and Saturday with drivers using DRS too early.

[darwin dali]

Qualifying will still be important especially here, not the easiest place to pass, doubt even with DRS too! I think we will see a few offs on Friday and Saturday with drivers using DRS too early.

[FRAFPDD]

I'd love to see a dark horse, Kobayashi maybe on podium!

just wet my pants at the podsibility, please dont say
things like that...

[What's Burning?]

Qualifying will still be important especially here, not the easiest place to pass, doubt even with DRS too! I think we will see a few offs on Friday and Saturday with drivers using DRS too early.

If there's an off on Friday I'd be concerned as practice is on Thursday.

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

The DRS-meister should pwn pole at Monaco. Based on what he did in Turn 8 at Hungary, and exiting 16 at Catalunya, I foresee him opening his DRS before he's completely exited from Portier. I suspect all else -- save maybe Webber -- will have to wait until they've reached the bend in the tunnel to open theirs. And probably thru Beau Rivage, too. The Red Bulls also should own the multiple tight corners at either end of the circuit.

Last year's results show both Webber and the Red Bull chassis are quite keen on Monaco. But unless Mark can match Vettel's courage with the DRS, I don't see him in P1 this time. In any case, so long as Seb and Webb can stay out of the Armco, they should lock out the front row.