I watched the F1 race from Monaco live but abandoned my note-taking efforts after drifting off to sleep twice. I never enjoy Monaco (or Valencia) and usually don't watch for that reason, but gave it a try for the first time in three years. Mistake. This doesn't bode well for my viewership for Valencia either.
Rather than just rag on about how boring I found it (as I did, regrettably, on Twitter), I'm going with the "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all" deal.
I think the upshot is this: since changing the track appreciably in Monaco is out of the question, the continuing evolution of today's cars have made overtaking on the track at speed virtually impossible. So the race broadcast becomes a discussion of the history, sights and beauty of Monoco.
Discuss ...
No one enjoys Valencia. It makes the most boring race in Monaco seem like the best race ever.
Posted by: elephino | May 28, 2012 at 06:54 AM
Say, did you know that Monaco was a stopping off point for Julius Caesar on his campaign to Rome?
...
...
... well you *said* "discuss"!
;)
Posted by: E.M.H. | May 28, 2012 at 07:15 AM
Monaco is where the teams wine, dine & shmooze their sponsors. The people who ante up hundreds of millions of bucks get to mingle with royalty & other super wealthy and famous people. (now THAT is ROI to an executive)
It may be a boring race but it's also a very fundamental part of what makes F1 keep on ticking.
Posted by: S0CSeven | May 28, 2012 at 07:18 AM
sounds like a "beautiful" venue.
Posted by: redcar | May 28, 2012 at 07:56 AM
I recognized long ago that Monaco was a parade route more than a race track. But I watch anyway, if for no other reason to not miss the gratuitous shots of babes in bikinis with F1 cars driving by.
Posted by: gary p | May 28, 2012 at 08:18 AM
Monaco is the most challenging course in the world for a race driver. If you can't appreciate the skills of the best drivers in the world in mastering it, well...., I am glad I can
Posted by: Titus Pullo | May 28, 2012 at 09:39 AM
@Titus Pullo
Monaco is special, but I'm afraid Le Mans and the Nordschleife surpass Monaco for toughness by several country miles.
Sadly, the great irony is the one element that made the first five races thrilling killed the Monaco race.
The circuit is so light on tyres, everyone played it at 90% to make the supersoft and soft tyres last.
As such, no one really pushed close to the limit... at all.
Posted by: Leigh O'Gorman | May 28, 2012 at 10:17 AM
I've always considered Monaco to be more of an exhibition than a race. The course is too short and too narrow for modern race cars. But it is glamorous and beautiful and works well for the F1 brand. They have to keep it on the schedule because of the tradition and everything.
There is absolutely no need to keep Valencia on the schedule, however.
Posted by: Savage Henry | May 28, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Monaco is GORGEOUS.
Posted by: Filip Cleeren | May 28, 2012 at 11:21 AM
@Savage Henry,
Valencia will disturb F1 fans rather less following this year's event.
Posted by: Leigh O'Gorman | May 28, 2012 at 01:04 PM
I expect this year's Monaco GP to be good fun with the new tyres, or if not that then a nice sprinkling of rain.
As it was the rain held off until after the flag and everyone in the field backed off to save the tyres. Boring. I didn't notice just how much they slowed until Perez down in 17th bolted on fresh rubber and lapped 1.5 seconds or more faster than the leaders - the leaders should've been doing that!
Sometimes I don't even mind a processional race (but only at Monaco), yet this one just didn't do it for me at all.
Monaco has always been difficult to pass at because the cars have always been too fast, right back to the beginning. If anything the current layout is the most conducive and open there has ever been, though I do think the chicane needs more work. The main problem were the tyres.
Posted by: Pat W | May 28, 2012 at 02:49 PM
*expected
I'd better get the tense right. :)
My advice: Watch Canada. Avoid Valencia or only watch it via Twitter, jump in if by some miracle it is any good. Probably avoid Hungary as well. Germany should be alright, Britain.. maybe.
Posted by: Pat W | May 28, 2012 at 03:07 PM
@Pat,
I think Hungary will be OK - there are a couple of passing places, but it should also be hot enough to turn the tyres to jelly.
Posted by: Leigh O'Gorman | May 28, 2012 at 03:52 PM
Oh I appreciate the skill, Titus. Just as I appreciate the extreme skill needed to preform brain surgery ... that doesn't mean I want to watch it on TV.
Posted by: pressdog | May 29, 2012 at 07:52 AM
There is no contesting for the lead or any other on track passing at Monaco. Just not possible.
The only drama is qualifying to see who is on pole, and waiting to see who will screw the pooch and end up in a barrier during the race. The skill and nerve it takes to run that many laps, that close to the walls is stunning. Even if it's "only" 90% of the cars capabilities.
Having said all that I think 'dog got more out of his naps then I did watching the race.
Posted by: GeorgeK | May 29, 2012 at 08:11 AM