Monaco Grand Prix Preview
by Toby Waller
England

Circuit Length 2.068 miles / 3.328 km
Race Length 78 laps (161.297 miles / 259.584 km)

If you were too ask the average person in the street which motor races he had heard of, he would probably answer “Le Mans, Indianapolis and Monaco.”. Without doubt, the race around the streets of the principality is one of the most incredible sites that Formula One can offer. Many fans new to Grand Prix racing question its place on the calendar, and in some ways they are right. There is little overtaking as the streets are far too narrow for today's modern F1 cars, and the race is often a high speed procession interrupted only by pitstops. Only last week I wrote an article dreading the possibility of a Las Vegas street race, but I believe that Monaco offers a challenge entirely different to any other circuit, either street or conventional, and should stay on the Grand Prix calendar. The ever twisting corners, the constantly changing gradient and the grip conditions that alter lap by lap, all add up to constantly provide excitement and surprises, despite the lack of overtaking. The Monaco race is truly the place to see Formula One cars taken to their limit, and beyond. If a qualifying lap here is good, then it looks good. If an overtaking manoeuvre is performed that appears on the limit, then it is on the limit. Who can forget the 1992 race when Mansell, on fresh rubber after a late pitstop to fix a loose rear wheel, was stuck for five laps behind the McLaren of Senna? Was I the only viewer who closed his eyes as Brundle dived around the outside of Gerhard Berger going into Mirabeau in 1994? The names of Ayrton Senna and Graham Hill dominate the trophy, with six and five wins respectively, and Damon Hill will be under the usual ridiculous pressure from the tabloids to both continue his run of success, and to emulate his father's record here. Damon will, as ever, respond with his usual level headed response and be himself rather than Graham Hill Part II. Michael Schumacher will be keen to add another win to his two previous victories here, and provide Ferrari’s first victory of the year after ever improving form.

Lap Guide
A lap of Monaco is probably one of the toughest tests a Formula One driver can face. The circuit continually twists and turns, and the track gradient is constantly altering. Driver's don't get a moments breather and, despite using all of the narrow track available, must be inch perfect or risk touching the armco and spinning off. After blasting across the start/finish straight, the cars enter the first right-hander, St. Devote. This tight third gear corner almost always provides a collision at the start, and we are often lucky to see the race get away successfully first time around. The circuit continues up the twisty hill, past Rosie's Bar and into the Casino Square complex. After braking for a fast left hander, the cars enter the Casino Square corner proper. This off-camber, third gear corner sees the cars sliding around, nearly touching the barriers, and then braking heavily for the tight second gear Mirabeau, just a few hundred yards further on. After sprinting down a short straight, the cars enter one of the most famous corners in Formula One, Loews. This hairpin is so tight, that the drivers come right off the power and can hear the underside of the car scraping on the ground. After a couple of tricky right handers, the cars leave daylight and blast through the tunnel. Shooting out at almost 170mph, the cars then brake for the tight 50mph chicane. After getting back up to speed, the cars then have to slow down slightly for Tabac and negotiate the awkward, twisty Swimming Pool set of corners. With only two tight right handers left, the cars are nearly at the end of the lap. After sliding out of the last two tigh, second gear corners, the cars scream across the start/finish line to start another lap of this tough course.

What Happened Last Year?
Last years race saw the previously dominant Williams team slip up on strategy for the first time of the season. Michael Schumacher, after winning at Spain, was suddenly looking favourite for the championship, despite Damon Hill’s promising form in the first three races. It was looking as though the pole would be taken by the German until Hill put in a scorching 1m21.952s lap towards the end of the session to grab the front row spot so desperately desired here. After the usual chaotic first attempt at a start (Berger, Alesi and Coulthard being the colliders), the race was re-commenced with Hill holding his first position into St. Devote. The Benetton of Schumacher was close behind though, and it was looking as though Schumacher was easily keeping up with the Williams. Schumacher’s pace was made all the more unbelievable when Damon Hill sailed into the pits for the first of two stops. Schumacher was on a one stop strategy and used the space to build up a convincing lead over Jean Alesi, also on a one stop strategy. Damon Hill was lucky to be able to regain his second position when Martin Brundle spun in front of Alesi’s Ferrari whilst being lapped and the French-Sicilian had to hit the armco to avoid him. Mark Blundell did a superb job to finish fifth, after replacing Nigel Mansell in the McLaren car only five days before the race.

1995 Results
1.  Michael Schumacher      Benetton-Renault        1h35m11.258s
2.  Damon Hill              Williams-Renault        +34.817s
3.  Gerhard Berger          Ferrari                 +1m11.447s
4.  Johnny Herbert          Benetton-Renault        + one lap
5.  Mark Blundell           McLaren-Mercedes        + one lap
6.  Heinz-Harald Frentzen   Sauber-Ford             + one lap

Pole Position:       Damon Hill  Williams-Renault    1m21.952s
Fastest Race Lap:    Jean Alesi  Ferrari             1m24.621s