This weekend sees the Formula One circus head to Monaco which is not exactly the race track it once was due to the width of the cars having increased over the years. Last year there was one official overtake on track during the entire race and the year before that there was only 4. Pole position is going to be key to whoever wants to win this race otherwise you are hoping for an opportunistic safety car or driver error. This race is not about the car or the driver and more about who is out in front from the start.
The changes for this weekend as promised the FIA have made the pressure advantage on Mercedes engine illegal. The rules stated engines have to be no more than 16:1 when tested at ambient temperature which Mercedes was compliant but when at 130 degrees or more due to possible expansion in the metal Mercedes achieved 18:1 ratios. The change is in how this is tested now so Mercedes will lose their engine advantage.
Mercedes advantage has seen the team win 5 out of 5 races thus far and this weekend is not really the race to see the difference this makes. The other change for this race which is rather crazy is that cars are going to be limited on power which will reduce the top speeds. The reason behind this is to save energy and make the race more environmentally friendly along with extra safety.
REV 1 is the setting or nickname for the electrical power deployment and at 290 kmh the electrical power reduces. This weekend the electrical power boost will start reducing from 200kmh. The Monaco circuit has 19 sharp corners with very little run off safety area and race organizers believe the new cars with the 50/50 engine and electrical power splits would be too lethal. The braking zones is where the batteries recharge so with the short straighter sections the cars would be sitting with 100% battery power. One can understand the concerns and another reason why Formula One has outgrown this track.
One can understand why Monaco desperately want to hang onto this race weekend as it generates €100- 120 million for the economy with €70 million coming from the 4 day race weekend. This is the only racing circuit that earns all the revenue from trackside advertising, hospitality and ticket sales. Monaco pays the cheapest hosting fees on the F1 calendar being $20 million. The F1 weekend is more like a giant advertising campaign showcasing the tax free benefits of living in the principality. This race is more about selling the lifestyle than it is about formula one cars racing around an historic track.
Formula One has always been the peak of motor sport so when you are turning down the power because of the track then you have to question what is the point. No overtaking, slower cars and just a boring race from start to finish. One could hope for rain throwing the unknown into the mix as there is very little excitement otherwise.
Monaco is the 8th race of the season having lost 3 races in the Middle East due to safety concerns with the tensions on edge due to the war. The good news is the fast tracks with 16 races still lying in wait and possibly with the changes testing the compression Mercedes is going to bought back into the field. Teams like Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren could still win the Championship so all is not lost yet.
