![\"Monaco\"](\"http:\/\/www.rhinopeel.com\/sbmrl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Monaco.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe first sector of the course features an opening right hand turn into the 3rd longest straight of the track, which isn’t saying a whole lot. \u00a0Overall, the track is not particularly fast. \u00a0That straight is then followed by the comfortable Massenet\u00a0corner (first half of Casino), but the Casino bends are not to be taken lightly.<\/p>\n
The second sector of the course is where things really slow down, and the exit from Casino is key to getting this right. \u00a0The Loews hairpin is the slowest corner and needs care to negotiate. \u00a0It sets up the longest straight on the course, featuring the tunnel opening up into the chicane, which can be surprisingly difficult. \u00a0The Tabac corner closes out the sector, forcing a speed reduction.<\/p>\n
Sector three is slow and technical, with a pair of two stop corners and very little opportunity for passing. \u00a0The final, Anthony Noghes, bend sets up the front straight with the entrance to pit lane right out of the corner. \u00a0Cars forced to the outside may even carry too much speed to get around to the pits, if that was their intention.<\/p>\n
The starting grid is shaken up a bit coming out of India, with the Stig moving to pole position after starting second at Buddh. \u00a0Nero and Jaap Snellrijder start from familiar positions at the back.<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Stig (WT)<\/li>\n
- Ice (CO)<\/li>\n
- Mater (GT)<\/li>\n
- Captain Slow (WT)<\/li>\n
- Launch Bornado (RM)<\/li>\n
- Danger Wheel (GT)<\/li>\n
- Nero (CO)<\/li>\n
- Jaap Snellrijder (RM)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
For the first time, rather than having the stewards assign pits, pit selection will occur prior to the start of the race. \u00a0Teams will choose their pit in reverse order of average starting grid position, with ties being broken by whichever team is farther back in the team standings.\u00a0 Here then is the pit selection order:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Regency Motors<\/li>\n
- Green Team<\/li>\n
- Cobalt<\/li>\n
- White Team<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
The White team, with two cars in the first two rows, will be looking to repeat their Singapore success rather than their miserable showing in India. \u00a0The Stig, in particular, needs a strong race to get back in the title hunt. \u00a0He can be encouraged by the fact that each of the last two race winners started at the front of the pack, and the other started in 2nd. \u00a0He’ll be followed by Ice and Mater, the two drivers who skipped the pits last time out. \u00a0It will be interesting to see if they felt that gamble, which clearly did not pay off, is worth repeating. \u00a0Cobalt is keenly aware that through three races the other three teams have each won once, so that may encourage Ice to charge on again. \u00a0His teammate Nero and standings leader Jaap will have their work cut out for them to stay where they’re at.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
January takes us to the most prestigious race on the calendar, Monaco. \u00a0Set along the harbor in Monte Carlo, the course features drastic elevation changes and has been hosting Grands Prix since 1929. The first sector of the course features … Continue reading