bob_varsha's avatar
Author:
Bob
 
Rate this article:
  • 0/5 Stars
  • Related Photos
  • Related Videos
SPEEDtv.com Store
Check Out the New NASCAR on SPEED Online Store
Enter Code 10SPEED at checkout for an additional 10% discount (including clearance items).
Our Price: Visit the Store
Visit Button
Buy Button
DVD: David Jefferies Story
The David Jefferies Story is a reminder of the much loved and much missed Yorkshireman.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Man-Made Thunder
The book examines the sport of stock car racing through the eyes and ears of the men behind the wheel and the wrenches.
Our Price: $49.00
Visit Button
Buy Button
Unisex Sandwich Cap
Unisex Velcro back hat with SPEED logo on front. PINKS logo embroidered on left and PAO logo on right. One size fits all.
Our Price: $24.95
Visit Button
Buy Button
Speedway T-shirt
Men's 6 oz. 100% Cotton Jersey Short Sleeve Tee. SPEED logo imprinted on the front center chest.
Our Price: $24.99
Visit Button
Buy Button
Footer Bg
  • Zoom More Photos Button
  • Camera Icon
VARSHA: Monaco GP - The Final Word
Written by: Bob   
05/27/2009
Charlotte, NC
 
Monaco Grand Prix Photo Gallery HERE

Jenson Button receives the Monaco Grand Prix trophy from HSH Prince Albert (Getty) ยป More Photos
A bulletin from the Fantastical Thinking Department at Formula One (news) Management made it official on Monday: all 20 drivers are still mathematically alive for the 2009 world championship.

That fact is, no doubt, a comfort to the nineteen not named Jenson Button following their complete annihilation at the hands of the Brawn GP driver last Sunday in Monaco. However, it won’t be long before names start falling off the list and we commentators start crunching Button’s magic number.

The Brawn GP-Mercedes has now proven it can handle just about any kind of track layout and all four Bridgestone tire compounds, and other than a wet track, where history tells us Sebastian Vettel and the Red Bull-Renault are the combination to beat, Button appears to have a fairly smooth road ahead en route to the title. Teammate Rubens Barrichello said he wore out his tires racing too close to Button in the early laps in the principality, or maybe just attempting to stay close to him. Either way, the one and perhaps only weapon that may still be available to Button’s rivals at this point is qualifying ahead of him, and forcing him to play catch-up in hopes of him running the tires off his car.


I must admit I thought Kimi Raikkonen was a threat after watching the 2005 Monaco winner lay down the quickest lap in Q2. But when Kimi’s poor getaway on the dirty side of the road allowed Barrichello into second behind Button, the Finn on the prime tire had no real chance again the Brawns on the softer option. At least the 3-4 Ferrari finish offers hope for the rest of the season, and Kimi himself said this week that he still believes he can win.

I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that several teams are talking about throwing in the towel now and starting on next year’s car, in much the same way Brawn, as the Honda team, stopped developing their 2008 device in order to devote the resources to 2009. Assuming, of course, that those teams do in fact plan to be on the grid in 2010. Entries close this Friday, and then the fun really begins.

Be honest, doesn’t all this make you wish series boss Bernie Ecclestone had managed to push through his idea that the championship go to the driver who wins the most races? Just imagine what new territory Mr. E would explore in order to spark some viewer interest in the last, oh, six races of the season when the champion had already been decided. Even Bernie, the guy who thought a half-race in the wet in Malaysia was compelling stuff, would be hard pressed to beat that drum convincingly.

Page 1 of 2
Next Page »
1 2 >
View All Comments