Monaco, this is what Formula One is all about to many around the world. The glitz, the glamour and the very tight street racing — where every driver is inches away from making a very big mistake. It’s also a unique weekend as the teams have practice on Thursday, take Friday off and then resume the racing on Saturday and Sunday. Here’s the latest from the drivers, media and team members gathered in the tiniest of principalities.
· On my flight down from London I was lucky enough to be on the same plane as Lewis Hamilton’s girlfriend Nicole Sherzinger. As I watched the porter grab bag after bag after bag from the luggage carousel and place it onto her cart I could not help but reminisce back to the S. African Grand Prix many years ago when Michael Andretti’s wife at the time had a similar large haul of luggage at the airport. What struck me in both instances is how much can a guy focus on racing when in his room is filled with ten pieces of luggage holding such an extensive wardrobe!
· Upon arrival at my hotel it was great to see Frank Williams milling about in the fresh air of Fontvielle, the village next to Monaco . Later I had a quick discussion with Frank and talked about all the changes going on at Williams. While he admitted it was “…a rather unique transitional time at Williams” he nonetheless felt the team would pull through this “challenging period”. I asked him how long it might take to get things back on track and that’s when he merely rolled his eyes. Short term it seems things will continue to be tough.
· On the track on Thursday Red Bull had tougher than normal sessions finishing 5th (Vettel) and 8th (Webber) in the more important second session. Insiders at the team told me not to worry too much about this showing despite Webber losing the entire morning session with technical issues. Seems these cars are now so sophisticated that even when you have a minor issue as Webber’s was described to me, you have to take much of the car apart just to address something that previously could have been quickly replaced.
· Last night Force India owner Vijay Mallya had 950 people on his super yacht for his traditional Monaco party. In the old days the F1 mechanics and media used to gather on Thursday night for a social drink at the famous Tip Top bar just off Casino Square . They knew they could stay in bed just a bit longer on the Friday where they had no running sessions. But this great tradition has been replaced by many in the paddock getting on Vijay’s super yacht and staying to all hours in the morning. This year had a bit of a different twist at Mallya asked everyone to come dressed in a Bollywood Theme. While that thrilled many of the series photographers, many of the mechanics decided to merely paint a thin black moustache on their face to enable them to be part of the unique atmosphere. Seems like another great tradition has gone by the wayside in F1.
· While walking in to the paddock with a bunch of UK journalists they all stooped in unison to stare at a billboard. The image was Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in a team polo shirt and cap so nothing out of the ordinary there. But emblazoned across the billboard was “Be Marlboro”. As one media member said to our group, “I can’t believe I am seeing a cigarette ad with an F1 driver.” Many grabbed their phones and took photos of the billboard. It wasn’t really a cigarette ad but it was unique and something that is allowed in this unique country.
· Flavio Briatore was holding court in the paddock with a 20-strong media contingent talking about his drivers and his rumoured return to Formula One. It was interesting that he chose Bernie Ecclestone’s private hospitality area to hold his impromptu session. While I didn’t fight my way through the media scrum to talk with Flav we did exchange a wave and quick pleasantries. Sadly I didn’t think he looked well at all and in fact I would suspect he is on a heavy dose of steroids based upon the roundness of his face. Maybe getting back into F1 is the remedy he needs to battle his current ailments.
· While speaking with Peter Sauber he told me he is excited by his driver’s chances here in Monaco . He especially thinks Kobayashi can do well given “he’s a proven passer, will thrive in the DRS zone that leads up to Casino square and will use his KERS through the tunnel to overtake.” While all of that may sound optimistic I have learnt over the years that Peter Sauber is never one to exaggerate so it could indeed be a decent weekend for the young Japanese driver.
· Allsport Management is the commercial arm of Formula One, holding the rights to hospitality and trackside signage at most of the Formula One circuits. Since its inception it has been headed up by Patrick McNally. Paddy as he has been affectionately called for years has been instrumental at setting very high standards for client entertainment within F1. Now he’s retiring and today many within the paddock (myself included) will partake in a surprise farewell party as this will be Paddy’s last Monaco Grand Prix. Paddy will be missed in the paddock and within the sport, let’s hope the high standards he set remain for years to come.
· As you can tell a lot of what happens in Monaco prior to Saturday and Sunday is not about the racing on the track. While there are more parties and celebrities here there is also more business done in Monaco this weekend than at any other major international convention or show. While all the captains of industry descend on the principality they will be interested in seeing just how Lewis Hamilton responds to the “spanking” as one ex-Formula One driver described it to me that he received from Sebastian Vettel last weekend in Spain . Insiders at McLaren tell me Lewis was “devastated” by the defeat and looking at his face on the podium and at the post race press conference you can tell why. What concerned this team insider is he felt this is where Lewis needed a “proper manager” to rebuild his confidence that had been decimated by not being able to overtake Vettel despite having tyres in better condition and a working KERS system. Lewis has had “mental mentoring” before from the likes of Olympian Michael Johnson so maybe his own brain is his Achilles heel?
Now let the racing begin so we can all enjoy the real show.
· On my flight down from London I was lucky enough to be on the same plane as Lewis Hamilton’s girlfriend Nicole Sherzinger. As I watched the porter grab bag after bag after bag from the luggage carousel and place it onto her cart I could not help but reminisce back to the S. African Grand Prix many years ago when Michael Andretti’s wife at the time had a similar large haul of luggage at the airport. What struck me in both instances is how much can a guy focus on racing when in his room is filled with ten pieces of luggage holding such an extensive wardrobe!
· Upon arrival at my hotel it was great to see Frank Williams milling about in the fresh air of Fontvielle, the village next to Monaco . Later I had a quick discussion with Frank and talked about all the changes going on at Williams. While he admitted it was “…a rather unique transitional time at Williams” he nonetheless felt the team would pull through this “challenging period”. I asked him how long it might take to get things back on track and that’s when he merely rolled his eyes. Short term it seems things will continue to be tough.
· Last night Force India owner Vijay Mallya had 950 people on his super yacht for his traditional Monaco party. In the old days the F1 mechanics and media used to gather on Thursday night for a social drink at the famous Tip Top bar just off Casino Square . They knew they could stay in bed just a bit longer on the Friday where they had no running sessions. But this great tradition has been replaced by many in the paddock getting on Vijay’s super yacht and staying to all hours in the morning. This year had a bit of a different twist at Mallya asked everyone to come dressed in a Bollywood Theme. While that thrilled many of the series photographers, many of the mechanics decided to merely paint a thin black moustache on their face to enable them to be part of the unique atmosphere. Seems like another great tradition has gone by the wayside in F1.
· While walking in to the paddock with a bunch of UK journalists they all stooped in unison to stare at a billboard. The image was Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in a team polo shirt and cap so nothing out of the ordinary there. But emblazoned across the billboard was “Be Marlboro”. As one media member said to our group, “I can’t believe I am seeing a cigarette ad with an F1 driver.” Many grabbed their phones and took photos of the billboard. It wasn’t really a cigarette ad but it was unique and something that is allowed in this unique country.
· Flavio Briatore was holding court in the paddock with a 20-strong media contingent talking about his drivers and his rumoured return to Formula One. It was interesting that he chose Bernie Ecclestone’s private hospitality area to hold his impromptu session. While I didn’t fight my way through the media scrum to talk with Flav we did exchange a wave and quick pleasantries. Sadly I didn’t think he looked well at all and in fact I would suspect he is on a heavy dose of steroids based upon the roundness of his face. Maybe getting back into F1 is the remedy he needs to battle his current ailments.
· While speaking with Peter Sauber he told me he is excited by his driver’s chances here in Monaco . He especially thinks Kobayashi can do well given “he’s a proven passer, will thrive in the DRS zone that leads up to Casino square and will use his KERS through the tunnel to overtake.” While all of that may sound optimistic I have learnt over the years that Peter Sauber is never one to exaggerate so it could indeed be a decent weekend for the young Japanese driver.
· Allsport Management is the commercial arm of Formula One, holding the rights to hospitality and trackside signage at most of the Formula One circuits. Since its inception it has been headed up by Patrick McNally. Paddy as he has been affectionately called for years has been instrumental at setting very high standards for client entertainment within F1. Now he’s retiring and today many within the paddock (myself included) will partake in a surprise farewell party as this will be Paddy’s last Monaco Grand Prix. Paddy will be missed in the paddock and within the sport, let’s hope the high standards he set remain for years to come.
· As you can tell a lot of what happens in Monaco prior to Saturday and Sunday is not about the racing on the track. While there are more parties and celebrities here there is also more business done in Monaco this weekend than at any other major international convention or show. While all the captains of industry descend on the principality they will be interested in seeing just how Lewis Hamilton responds to the “spanking” as one ex-Formula One driver described it to me that he received from Sebastian Vettel last weekend in Spain . Insiders at McLaren tell me Lewis was “devastated” by the defeat and looking at his face on the podium and at the post race press conference you can tell why. What concerned this team insider is he felt this is where Lewis needed a “proper manager” to rebuild his confidence that had been decimated by not being able to overtake Vettel despite having tyres in better condition and a working KERS system. Lewis has had “mental mentoring” before from the likes of Olympian Michael Johnson so maybe his own brain is his Achilles heel?
Now let the racing begin so we can all enjoy the real show.
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