The famed street course in Monaco is one of two circuits that the SBMRL has had on the calendar every year of the league. December marks this season’s return, and it is always an enjoyable time.
Monaco (D)
Monaco is a track that is quite familiar to the league, but we have a decent number of rookie drivers this season. Fortunately, they’ll get eased into the track with a relatively straightforward first sector. The starting grid takes up most of the pit straight. With a short run up to Sainte Devote those starting higher up the grid will have a slight advantage, if for no other reason than the corner can get quite cramped at times.
The second sector of the track is most notable for the Loews hairpin and the tunnel straight, which is the longest straight of the circuit. The chicane at the end of the straight is prime passing opportunity.
Sector three features the S de la Piscine, Rascasse, and Anthony Noghes turns, which will occasionally catch a driver out but for the most part are navigated easily. The exit of Anthony Noghes is probably the most notable spot in this sector, as position battles are often won or lost on the second lap approach to the finish line.
Starting Grid
After their double DNF in Japan, the Scandinavian Blitz team starts on the front row. Jaap’s struggles this season put him up in 4th on the grid, alongside Stevie. Sheila’s consistency gets her to the front of the standings and the back of the grid.
- The Stig (SB)
- Captain Slow (SB)
- Stevie Wondertyres (SR)
- Jaap Snellrijder (RM)
- Launch Bornado (FR)
- Whiplash (SR)
- Bubba McQueen (FR)
- Sheila Dinkum (RM)
Pit selection will be in order of team standings, and with a tie at the top and an identical average grid position, a coin flip gives Force Ravenswood first choice. Here then is the order:
- Force Ravenswood
- Regency Motors
- Scandinavian Blitz
- Sprite Racing
No driver has Monaco as their home race this season.
Track History
As this is our third trip to the Pincipality, there is a decent amount of history at Monaco for the SBMRL. Both previous race winners, The Stig and Jaap are in this year’s lineup. The Stig won in a race in which he started on pole position, so that certainly has to be encouraging for this year’s race. Launch Bornado has done well here, too, finishing 2nd and 4th.
Last year’s race produced the notable double DNF for Scandinavian Blitz, a fate that they are now coming out of after Japan. That experience will likely be on their mind as well.