Results from the 2005 Monaco Grand Prix
Monaco is the race that attracts the rich and famous and this year was no different. Although somewhat somber with the recent passing of Prince Rainier, the Monaco Grand Prix yet again proved the that this street track is one of F1's most difficult and how anyone can be a winner in Monaco.
The race weekend started with Kimi Raikkonen topping the qualifying rounds. Just having won the Spanish Grand Prix, Raikkonen was on fire, taking the fastest lap at Monaco, outpacing Fernando Alonso by a mere 0.481 seconds. However, the Monaco track already proved how perilous it can be when Ralf Schumacher crashed during his qualifying lap, forcing other drivers to wait until his car was cleared off the track. Juan Pablo Montoya was blamed for Ralf's crash and race stewards forced him to start at the back of the grid for the race itself. Michael Schumacher's woeful start to the season continues and he struggled in qualifying, only managing to post the 11th fastest time. He seemed to be having trouble pacing the slow winding circuit, which he has won five times already. The qualifying session also saw a spectacular crash involve Jacques Villeneuve and David Coulthard.
Despite the eventful race itself, Raikkonen lead from his pole position to finish with an amazing margin of over 13 seconds to second place Nick Heidfeld. This puts Raikkonen in a comfortable second place behind Fernando Alonso in the Drivers' Championship, as he emerges a genuine contender now for the Drivers' Championship. Third place went to Mark Webber, making it a two-three for the Williams-BMW team.
The Monaco street circuit proved as treacherous as ever, with a huge pile-up on lap 25 at the Mirabeau, where Christijan Albers spun his lapped Minardi. Michael Schumacher, who was at this point running eighth right behind David Coulthard, didn't see Albers and snagged the back of Coulthard, as he slowed to avoid Albers and the track became momentarily blocked, forcing the safety car to come out. This created a huge strategic opportunity. Drivers took this chance to make their pit-stop, causing a jam at the Renault pit-stop, as both Alonso and Fisichella pulled in to be serviced, screwing up their positioning. Raikkonen and Trulli didn't stop and this in the end was the right strategic decision. The race resumed at lap 29, but Coulthard had to retired with a damaged vehicle.
The race was breathtaking. Although Raikkonen was way ahead of every one else by lap 60, the excitement was taking place for those vying for the other podium positions. Alonso was behind Raikkonen, but was feeling the heat from the two Williams-BMWs right behind him. Their strategy to use softer compound tyres fell short as Alonso found himself on 'bald rubber' late in the race and, despite some sublimely defensive driving lost two places to finish fourth. Meanwhile, Alonso's team mate, Fisichella, was trying to keep Trulli, Massa and Montoya at bay, but his tyres were just not up to that kind of competition. In the end, these three drivers, along with the Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello all finished within a second of each other, making a thrilling finish for the points. Montoya in his McLaren-Mercedes was the real hero of the day, having started in 16th position on the grid and fighting his way up the pack to end up in the fifth position.
Michael Schumacher was delayed after having to have a new nose cone fitted in lap 45 after his altercation with Coulthard. Team mate Barrichello had gotten a drive through penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Schumacher managed to overtake team mate Barrichello and almost had a collision with brother Ralf after crossing the finish line 1 second behind him in seventh place.
It was a great race weekend for McLaren-Mercedes, but the big losers were Red Bull Racing. Coulthard had to retire with rear-end damage after being rear-ended by Schumacher and team mate Liuzzi had to retire with a right rear tyre problem on lap 60.
The Monaco race proved that this year all is open for anyone to take the lead. Raikkonen is now in a comfortable second place with 27 points behind Alonso with 49 points. Third place is Trulli with 26 points. In terms of the Constructors' Championship, the season is hotting up! Renault is still in a comfortable lead with 63 points, followed closely by McLaren-Mercedes with 51 points and third place is Toyota with 43 points.
Full race result from Monaco (2005)
- Kimi Raikkonen - McLaren-Mercedes 1h 45m, 15.556s
- Nick Heidfeld - Williams-BMW +13.8s
- Mark Webber - Williams-BMW +18.4s
- Fernando Alonso - Renault +36.4s
- Juan Pablo Montoya - McLaren-Mercedes +36.6s
- Ralf Schumacher - Toyota +37.1s
- Michael Schumacher - Ferrari +37.2s
- Rubens Barrichello - Ferrari +37.5s
- Felipe Massa - Sauber-Petronas +1 lap
- Jarno Trulli - Toyota +1 lap
- Jacques Villeneuve - Sauber-Petronas +1 lap
- Giancarlo Fisichella - Renault +1 lap
- Tiago Monteiro - Jordan-Toyota +3 laps
- Cristijan Albers - Minardi-Cosworth +5 laps