Monaco GP should be interesting. Look

at this interview with Pat Symonds regarding Renault's Monaco prospects:

Michelin is no longer the dominant tyre in Formula One, Pat Symonds says.

Renault's engineering chief, whose racer Fernando Alonso beat Bridgestone-shod Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher in Spain last Sunday, reckons 2006 is all set to stage a showdown between the rubber rivals.

"I am certain that Michelin is no longer superior," Symonds told Motorsport Aktuell.

Before the Barcelona race, Ferrari thought it had the winning package, and Michelin-shod Renault was prepared for a struggle. The fact that both were mistaken indicates that the battle is perched on a knife edge.

Monaco is the scene of the next Michelin versus Bridgestone duel, and Symonds is again worried about Schumacher's red spectre.


"He's been so successful (there) you've got to worry about him," he told Speed TV.

Worse still, Renault struggled in the Principality last year, and Symonds revealed: "We know Bridgestone have some ultra soft tyres (to use in Monaco). It will be a difficult one. You can't be confident, can you?"

Kimi Raikkonen won the race last year while Jarno Trulli won for Renault in 2004. Michael Schumacher's fifth Monaco victory came in 2001.

E.A.
Source GMM

Sounds like Renault is concerned about Ferrari a lot more now. If the tire advantage has been marginalized, then this will ultimately come down to a battle between driver skills. I think that makes for an interesting championship, although the spectre of technology will always hang overhead (like the wrong tire choice at Barcelona)

 

Driver's skill will determine starting position, pit strategy will determine race winner and championship.

 

Fair and accurate assessment. I guess I was thinking there will be no tire excuse this season, but F-1 really has come down to starting position, tire choice, fuel strategy and pit stops.

Racing is the missing element...

 

I know its a racing icon and saying this is heresy......but, I typically don't watch Monaco, I find it boring........but having said that, its def not oval racing boring.....

 

I haven't watched Monaco on TV in years, having attended since '92, but I can assure that it's anything but boring when you're there! The whole town revolves around the race, and the excitement builds each day during race week as Sunday draws near. I'm leaving next Tuesday night and should arrive in MC on Wednesday afternoon the 24th- can't wait.
I'll admit that the track isn't ideal, but it does present some unique challenges. As for thrills, think back to the Senna/Mansell battle in '92- it was great to watch.

 

ah, I was referring completely to telly. Ira, do me a favor....tip back a cold one in bigal's name while you're there!

 

That'll be a tough job, but somebody's got to do it!

 

good man

 

ahh, think back to the Prost/Arnoux race back in like '81 or '82, when both took the lead, and both crashed out while leading on subsequent laps.

 

well, at least the barriers are there to provide a some challenge for the drivers, unlike hungary....now thats boring....

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=P05Ehhev6PM&search=monaco%20f1


What the hell?

Looks like a replay from a video game....

 

well, lets just hope that the renault will slow donw a bit like last year's monaco gp...

 

last year's Monaco GP was one of the most exciting races of the season...Trulli with the kamikazi move on Alonso...Schumi flying after breaking his nose...then passing everyone on the last lap...can't wait for this year's