Monaco GP --- Baby!! (15)

I used to be big into auto racing particularly F1, and went to several Grand Prixs races here and in the U.S.

Stopped following it lately because it got so boring, like a high speed parade, predictable results, but it's caught my eye again this season.

A new driver from Britain, Lewis Hamilton, the first black driver in F1, is re-writing the history books like no one has ever done in the past.

The amazing thing is in the previous 4 races, Australia, Malaysia, Bahrain and Spain, Hamilton has finished on the podium (the top 3).

That's never been done before. It's unheard of in the history of the sport.

Sounds like this guy is going to make the world forget fast about Michael Schumacher (the 7-time world driving champion from Germany).

Predicting final results at Monaco is always a crap shoot.

That's appropriate being that Monaco is the centre of the universe for casino-style gambling.

The track is an anachronism, a throw-back to the early days of motor racing almost 100 years ago.

It's the only street circuit in F1 and as a result, the tight, twisting track is merciless at the speeds with which modern F1 cars travel.

The tiniest of errors can be catastrophic.

Therefore, with about 22 snarling cars leaping forward from a standing start, the first corner often results in mayhem.

It's also impossible to pass at Monaco, so whoever emerges unscathed from that first lap and can hang on usually wins.

I will hedge my bets:

The favourite: Lewis Hamilton -- the new young lion. Tiger Woods of motor racing.

Fernando Alonso -- reigning world driving champion

Kimi Raikonnen -- hard charger

McLaren's Formula One championship leader Lewis Hamilton crashed in Monaco Grand Prix practice on Thursday in the first mishap of an otherwise sensational rookie season.

The 22-year-old Briton braked late and speared into the tyre wall at Sainte Devote, the first turn at the end of the pit straight, with half an hour remaining of the afternoon session.


He climbed out of the car and waved at the crowd while walking back to the team garage on a bright and hot afternoon punctuated by crashes on the metal-fenced streets of the Mediterranean principality.

"Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm only human," he told reporters in the harbourside paddock.

"I just locked the rear wheels, and just as it came before the apex I lost the back end, tried to brake too quick, but went off into the wall."

Hamilton was still the third fastest driver, behind team mate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen -- both former Monaco winners.

bump

bump?

Hey TrueNorth... since you missed my post on your last F1 thread (and I like that one sooooo much better), I'll regurgitate my post here... (drum roll)

Time for another race prediction!!!

I'm so due for a "nail" day.

So... what are we calling?

Oh yeah... and it was more than a bump! We'll see how he faces his bump this weekend.

Are we ready to rumble????

Hey, just heard the F1 start at IMAX last Sunday... was real awesome. When are you gonna take me to a race TN?

How about Montreal?

It's the next one after Monaco --- in a couple of weeks.

Being a writer/editor, you know, I'm not at all accustomed to paying my own way. Is that a problem?

Sorry, that's just what I've grown accustomed to.

Last time I was there, Castrol 'sponsored' my junket, which included excellent 3-day seating at a superb track location.

Had exclusive paddock passes and got to meet some of the drivers and their entourage.

Also went to some pretty cool off-track 'events'.

Ask me about their entourage. and the events.

Sounds like you'll need to find a sponsor for both of us then... perhaps they can throw in a return flight too?

Go ahead TN, tell me about the entourage... I know you're dying to, BUT, only after you call the race...

Perhaps we need a little "friendly" wager?