http://www.cityoutmonaco.com Monaco Grand Prix, News, Qualifying and Results Tue, 31 May 2011 15:32:33 +0200 Tue, 31 May 2011 15:32:33 +0200 info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) http://www.cityoutmonaco.com http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/images/cityout_logo.jpg en-US info@cityoutmonaco.com (Interview by Alex Went / Photos by Naneen Rossi) Amber Lounge is the best known party on the Grand Prix circuit. We meet its founder, Sonia Irvine
As the sister of racing driver Eddie, and former physiotherapist for the Ferrari team, Sonia Irvine has been intimately involved in the world of motor racing. It's a relationship that inspired her, nearly ten years ago, to found the Amber Loungebrand. What was it about Formula 1, we wondered, that has made the greatest impression on her personally and professionally? "I would have to say the people. The industry is extremely fast-paced, and everyone has to react quickly - there is a real no-nonsense approach to work, which I love and thrive on. It’s an incredibly stimulating world to work in and people have to be on top of their game and highly supportive in every aspect of F1.  It’s this very environment that helps build strong and lasting relationships, where work colleagues become good friends. People say that F1 is like one big family, and that's certainly my experience." In terms of the wider social calendar, Amber Lounge is now a byword for the for most fashionable pop-up parties. What was your inspiration for the event? "It was the last race of the season in São Paulo.  There were groups of us driving round the city trying to find a place where we could all get together to celebrate the final race.  That’s when I came up with the idea of Amber Lounge, a place where everyone could come together and party, in privacy and away from the eyes of the media.  It’s a simple premise and one that, I hope, keeps the family spirit of F1 together even now."And with the expansion of Formula 1 into Asia and the Middle East, would you say the 'look and feel' of your parties has altered in any way to accommodate different tastes and influences from abroad? "The actual signature look of Amber Lounge doesn't change: the white sofas, illuminated bar displays and funky DJ booth stay the same, as does the exterior, which always incorporates a water feature of some sort - in Monaco it’s the Mediterranean backdrop, Singapore has the waterwall, Abu Dhabi has the water terrace over the Arabian Gulf... and we will do something wonderful for India! "Where we do change the look and feel is in our branding. We acknowledge and are respectful of the different cultures at each of our destinations, and our branding reflects this. It's evident in our Amber girls, who are an important part of the Amber Lounge persona and brand.  For example we have one Amber girl posing with a champagne glass; this is an image that we would not replicate in our Middle Eastern branding."The title 'pop-up' is something of a misnomer, since these events take many months to organize, not least in terms of gathering sponsorship. But now things are almost ready for ignition, can you tell us a bit about this year's Amber Lounge? "Sure. We have not one but two exclusive events running over the weekend. We kick off with the Amber Lounge Fashion show, which I am proud to say is under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco. It's a charity catwalk event to raise funds for the Special Olympics.  "Our partners for this event are TAG Heuer – the prestigious watch brand which already has a strong association with F1 and certain F1 drivers – as our Official Watch Partner; and Skin Society Monaco, our Official Beauty Partner who return for the second year running.  For our evening events, running over the entire weekend, we have Jose Cuervo as our Official Drinks Partner.  This is fantastic for us as all these brands work well together and have important links with Formula One and the Grand Prix series.What makes Amber Lounge Monaco unique? It’s difficult to choose one aspect of our Monaco event...  I’d probably say firstly, our Fashion Show, as we are the only fashion show in the world that has the F1 drivers modelling on the catwalk! From a real personal perspective I love that I get the opportunity to involve my family in the event to the point where my beautiful daughter Megan models on the catwalk beside me.  That’s pretty unique for me! Secondly, our Sunday night after-party, as again, we get the F1 drivers coming in to celebrate the race finale and it really is an amazing atmosphere and everyone has a great time.   I think that as a company we work hard to keep the Amber Lounge name and brand distinct. Other companies, parties and clubs try to replicate what we have but unlike them, Amber Lounge has real roots and after nine years we are still the place where the F1 fraternity - and celebrities - choose to come to over a Grand Prix weekend...Next year Amber Lounge will celebrate its first decade.  In those ten years, what has been your most memorable experience? There are two experiences that spring out, the first was the Amber Lounge debut back in 2003, in Monaco. We had everyone turn up to celebrate on the Sunday night: Prince Albert, Bono, The Edge, Helen Christensen, Wesley Snipes, Heidi Klum, Ronaldo as well as all the drivers, it was such a buzz - and totally overwhelming. The second was in Singapore 2009, when the Black Eyed Peas were in the club and without warning, Taboo got upon stage and did an impromptu performance. The crowd went crazy, cheering and jumping up and down. That was a night I won’t forget!    Personally, I’m always flattered that they still want to come to Amber Lounge even now, it’s such a wonderful feeling to make people happy and give everyone a good time.Finally, although it's invidious to ask you to single out a winner, what are your thoughts about the 2011 race season so far, and what are your expectations for the Monaco Grand Prix? Ah that’s difficult.  To be honest, I can’t pick a winner - I just don’t think about it that way.  To me I think about the drivers as individuals, each of whom generously give their time to support the fashion show and who come to have fun on the Sunday night in the club!
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/people-who-make-monaco-sonia-irvine Tue, 31 May 2011 15:32:33 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/people-who-make-monaco-sonia-irvine info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Renewed excitement in Monaco as Alonso takes top position in Thursday's second practice session
No doubt spurred on to greater things by the fantastic start and strong performance in his home Grand Prix last week, Fernando Alonso surprised many spectators by coming second in the first practice session in Monaco on Thursday, and even more so by coming first in the second. If he can replicate this performance in Saturday’s qualifying he has every chance of staging an upset as great as any this season.  Had Alonso had the power to keep position he could have achieved a podium place in Spain. But here in Monaco, with its slower pace and the requirement for careful handling, sheer power is less important than driver skill, and a good grid position is likely to result in a place for whoever maintains it. We have become so used to seeing a field dominated by current World Champion Sebastian Vettel that many believe his position is unassailable, but that only inspires his competitors to do everything they can to knock him from his perch. A concerted attack from the McLaren Mercedes team - 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton and 2009 champion Jenson Button - has paid some dividends by last week splitting the Red Bull pack. And at Monaco they will be looking to better still by knocking the bullish confidence of last year's winners of the double top place on the podium completely. Psychologically, they may be helped in this respect by the unsure performance of last year's winner, Mark Webber. Not only has he had a particularly disappointing season, but also he suffered mechanical problems in the first practice session here on Thursday, and managed only 8th place in the second. What these practice results point to is a more interesting and varied picture than we have seen for some time, and expectations are now high that Monaco - with its refreshingly different circuit, atmosphere and level of excitement, may prove to be a game-changing Grand Prix in terms of the Championship. Second Practice session results   Place Driver Team Time 1 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:15.123 2 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:15.228 3 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:15.321 4 Jenson Button McLaren 1:15.448 5 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:15.667 6 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:15.781 7 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:16.356 8 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:16.642 9 Adrian Sutil Force India 1:17.101 10 Nick Heidfeld Renault 1:17.126 11 Vitaly Petrov Renault 1:17.337 12 Sergio Pérez Sauber 1:17.541 13 Rubens Barrichello Williams 1:17.570 14 Sébastien Buemi Toro Rosso 1:17.581 15 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:17.633 16 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1:17.706 17 Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso 1:17.789 18 Heikki Kovalainen Lotus 1:18.266 19 Jarno Trulli Lotus 1:18.490 20 Paul di Resta Force India 1:19.053 21 Jérôme D'Ambrosio Virgin 1:19.185 22 Timo Glock Virgin 1:19.338 23 Narain Karthikeyan HRT 1:22.066
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-game-changer Mon, 30 May 2011 15:16:43 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-game-changer info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Remarkable dive signals the start of the 69th Monaco Grand Prix
Pierre Frolla, Monaco's world champion freediver, retrieved a special chequered flag from the depths of the Mediterranean to signal the start of the race that many are tipping as the most exciting and challenging of the season. More photos of the dive can be found on our facebook page. Incidentally, did you know that Anthony Noghes, founder of the Monaco Grand Prix, after whom the last of the circuit's 25 turns is named, is cerdited with inventing the chequered flag?Photo © Naneen Rossi After an intense night of partying and an equally thrilling day of practice and qualifying sessions - which saw two tough crashes just outside the exit of the tunnel - grid positions have finally been decided as follows.  Drivers' parade at 12.30pm followed by racing at 2pm.Grid positions01     Sebastian Vettel     Red Bull     1:13.556 02     Jenson Button     McLaren     1:13.997 03     Mark Webber     Red Bull     1:14.019 04     Fernando Alonso     Ferrari     1:14.483 05     Michael Schumacher     Mercedes     1:14.682 06     Felipe Massa     Ferrari     1:14.877 07     Lewis Hamilton     McLaren     1:15.280 08     Nico Rosberg     Mercedes     1:15.766 09     Pastor Maldonado     Williams     1:16.528 10     Sergio Perez     Sauber     No Time 11     Vitaly Petrov     Renault     1:15.815 12     Rubens Barrichello     Williams     1:15.826 13     Kamui Kobayashi     Sauber     1:15.973 14     Paul di Resta     Force India     1:16.118 15     Adrian Sutil     Force India     1:16.121 16     Nick Heidfeld     Renault     1:16.214 17     Sebastien Buemi     Toro Rosso     1:16.300 18     Heikki Kovalainen     Team Lotus     1:17.343 19     Jarno Trulli     Team Lotus     1:17.381 20     Jaime Alguersuari     Toro Rosso     1:17.820 21     Timo Glock     Virgin Racing     1:17.914 22     Jerome d’Ambrosio     Virgin Racing     1:18.736 23     Narain Karthikeyan     HRT     No Time 24     Vitantonio Liuzzi     HRT     No Time
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/and-theyre-off Sun, 29 May 2011 10:45:53 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/and-theyre-off info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) It's where they're all heading on race weekend: come along and join the stars of Formula 1!
What: Amber Lounge Monaco Grand Prix2011 When: 27-29 May 2011, 10.30pm-5am Fashion Show: 27 May, 7-9pm Where: Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel Contact:  +377 97 77 16 34;  rae@amber-lounge.com Web: http://www.amber-lounge.com Now practically hardwired to the GP scene, the Amber Lounge party is the only way to go if you're here for race weekend. Four exclusive locations appear on this year's party circuit, all set at Grand Prix venues - Monaco, Singapore, Delhi and Abu Dhabi - but the one with the most buzz is bound to be Monte Carlo, with its three nights of non-stop partying. Last year saw 26 Formula 1 drivers party the night away with royalty of all flavours, from princes and princesses of Hollywood and Bollywood, all the way up to the genuine article in the form of Princess Beatrice of York and of course Monaco's princely family. This year, Prince Albert II will be joined by bride-to-be Miss Charlene Wittstock, raising funds for their chosen charity the Special Olympics, and helping athletes with intellectual disabilities achieve their dreams. This year, the event is bigger than ever, with individual passes starting at €650 and tables for eight people from €5200 to €15000 (all passes include complimentary drinks and champagne throughout the evening). On Saturday night pop sensation Taio Cruz sings his No. 1 smash hits 'Break your Heart‘ and 'Dynamite‘; while Black Eyed Peas DJ Motiv8 will rock Sunday's After Party until dawn.  Tickets for Amber Lounge Dining start at €250 per person or €2000 for a table of eight. Meanwhile, Amber Lounge Fashion, the only event to unite the worlds of high speed racing and haute couture, will see a whole host of Formula 1 stars taking part. Tickets start at €500 to see the heroes of the racetrack take to the catwalk. Those already signed for 2011 include Felipe Massa, Vitaly Petrov, Adrian Sutil, Paul di Resta, Jaime Alguersuari, Nico Rosberg, Jerome d‘Ambrosio, Heikki Kovalainen, Sergio Perez and Vitantonio Liuzzi. See more in the video below from Official Beauty Partner Skin Society And if you like the sound of all this magic, why not sign up yourself for the rest of the calendar, taking in Singapore and Delhi before jetting off to Abu Dhabi?  With a stunning new venue at Yas Links Golf Club on Yas Island and an intimate setting with limited passes available, the end of season party will certainly exceed expectations of even the most loyal of Amber Lounge followers! Jeroboam Tables - €15,000 per table (8 guests)Jeroboam tables seat eight guests and are simply the best seats in the house next to the celebrities, sporting personalities and VIP’s.  Upon arrival these tables are presented with a Jeroboam of Dom Perignon champagne followed by unlimited Dom Perignon and all other drinks all night, with dedicated waiting staff for each table. VIP Cristal Tables - €8,950 per table (8 guests) VIP Cristal tables also seat eight guests and are located in the heart of the action; often next to the celebrities, sporting personalities, F1 sponsors and VIP’s. These tables are served with unlimited complimentary drinks all night, including Cristal Champagne. Classic (Friday and Saturday only) Tables - €5,200 per table (8 guests) Classic tables seat eight and are served with unlimited complimentary drinks including Veuve Clicquot champagne. All tables have waiter and hostess serviceo ensure guests receive red carpet treatment from the moment they arrive. 2011 Individual Passes - €650 Friday, €650 Saturday & €800 Sunday
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/amber-lounge-monaco-grand-prix-2011 Fri, 27 May 2011 10:43:00 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/amber-lounge-monaco-grand-prix-2011 info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Drivers air their views on Monaco 2011 following another Vettel victory in Spain
Spain provided another Red Bull-McLaren sandwich, in which a disappointed Mark Webber lost pole position and missed out on the podium after being held up by home boy Fernando Alonso for much of the race.  But for his team-mate Sebastian Vettel, despite a last-minute chase-down by Lewis Hamilton, it was another extraordinary win propelling him to a clear 118 points on the driver leaderboard. His nearest rivals would need at least two wins with Vettel out of the running altogether in order to overtake his almost unassailable lead. In the build-up to Monaco, the German wunderkind has proved himself a worthy World Champion, maintaining the top spot in four out of the first five races this season. In many ways his achievement reflects Jenson Button's in 2009. Button won six out of his first seven races, losing out to Vettel and Webber only in China, and went on to take the driver's championship later in the year despite not winning another race. If Vettel can equal this achievement in Monaco and Canada, he too could be on the way to holding on to his championship for a second year. Now the drivers have a short turnaround before the Monaco Grand Prix, which runs from 26 to 29 May. "We know this is one of the most prestigious races of the year," says Mark Webber, winner of the 2010 Monaco Grand Prix; "There are a lot of question marks going into this year’s race in terms of how the tyres will be and the strategy could be the most complicated of the year. It’s a track that I’ve always seemed to do reasonably well at and I have some of my best memories as a racing driver there. It’s clearly a demanding street circuit, which requires incredible concentration and composure for the drivers throughout the weekend, starting with Thursday’s practice sessions. The dramatic coast line and cliffs make an incredible backdrop to one of the most famous tracks in the world - it’s clearly like no other circuit we race at." Vettel is also relishing the challenge. "It’s remarkable to drive an F1 car around Monaco, it’s a completely unique track and a unique challenge for the driver. You have to push as hard as on a normal race track, but the smallest mistake can bring a big penalty. Grid position is very important and can determine your race, as traditionally overtaking in Monaco is very tricky." However, the consensus is that the Pirelli supersoft tyres will make a difference. According to Hamilton, victor in the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix, "The tyres will probably give us the greatest scope for excitement and the best chance of passing. While I dont think the super-soft and soft compounds will be as critical around Monaco as they were at a place like Turkey, I still think the drop-off we encounter as the tyres go off should create opportunities for overtaking."
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-view-from-the-cockpit Tue, 24 May 2011 20:07:22 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-view-from-the-cockpit info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Timetable for practice sessions, qualifying, and the big race itself
Programme Thursday 26 May 2011 7.00am     Closure of track to road traffic 8.30am     Free practice session Formula Renault 3.5 10.00am   1st Free Practice Session F1 12.00pm   Free practice session GP2 2.00pm     2nd Free Practice Session F1 4.15pm     Qualifying GP2 5.20pm     Free practice Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 7.00pm     Opening of track to road traffic     Friday 27 May 2011 7.00am     Closure of track to road traffic 9.30am     Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup (First qualifying session) 11.15am    GP2 - First Race (45 laps or 75 mins) 1.30pm     Opening of track to road traffic     Saturday 28 May 2011 6:00am     Closure of track to road traffic 9.00am     Formula Renault 3.5 (Qualifying - série A) 9.30am     Formula Renault 3.5 (Qualifying - série B) 11.00am   3rd Free Practice Session F1 2.00pm     Free practice Qualifying F1 4.10pm     GP2 - Second Race (25 laps or 45 mins) 7.00pm     Opening of track to road traffic     Sunday 29 May 2011 7.00am     Closure of track to road traffic 9.45am     Porsche Mobil 1 SuperCup (16 laps or 30 mins) 11.10am    Formula Renault 3.5 - (25 laps or 45 mins) 12.30pm    Formula 1 - Drivers parade 2.00pm     69th GRAND PRIX of MONACO 2011 (78 laps or 2 hours) 7.00pm     Opening of track to road traffic
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-2011-programme Tue, 24 May 2011 16:19:06 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-2011-programme info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Champion freediver Pierre Frolla will fetch the chequered flag from the bottom of the ocean
What: Operation Poseidon 2011 Where: start from Fontvieille Harbour When: Friday 27 May 2011 at 10.45amTo coincide with the staging of the Monaco Grand Prix, an extraordinary event takes place on 27 May which brings together three sporting disciplines in one daring challenge. A special chequered flag signed by the world's greatest tennisplayers will be retrieved from 60 to 100 metres depth of water by freediving champion Pierre Frolla, as part of the celebrations surrounding the Formula 1 race. At twelve noon on that Friday, world champion Frolla, who dives without the aid of oxygen, will plunge into the Mediterranean Sea to locate and bring to the surface the special flag, autographed by Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Gaël Monfils, Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, as well as Prince Albert II of Monaco. Following its successful retrieval, the flag will be auctioned off to raise funds for Monaco-based charity Peace and Sport (l’Organisation pour la Paix par le Sport), which seeks to reconcile crisis-struck communities and to encourage dialogue and social stability through sport.Programme: 10.45am Meet at Port de Fontvieille 11.20am Boats depart 12 noon Dive by Pierre Frolla in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco 12.30pm Return to the port
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-start-with-splash Fri, 20 May 2011 19:46:19 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-start-with-splash info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) The Ni Box in Monaco is opening its roof terrace for the Grand Prix weekend. See here for details
Where: Ni Box Roof Terrace When: Monaco Grand Prix 26-29 May 2011Contact: E-mail commercial@nibox.mc or Tel: +377 97 98 77 77 Positioned just below the famous Fairmont hairpin and with a view into the tunnel, the Terrace Roof of the Ni Box club is possibly one of the best places from which to watch this year's race, and at an exceptional €750 for the three days, this is bound to be a huge draw for last-minute visitors to the Monaco Grand Prix - but hurry - there's a limit of 120 places! Included in the ticket price is terrace access, plus buffet lunch served from noon to 3pm on the race weekend itself, as well as an open bar. And as an added bonus, you get the extremely necessary (believe us!) ear-protectors. If you're not lucky enough to get a place on the roof, the same establishment is offering ground-floor access only on the Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for an appetizing €50 to €80. So whether you're here to stay or just passing through, come and see the practice sessions, qualifiers and the 2011 Grand Prix from an unrivalled position. -- Plan of the Ni Box, showing the hairpin bend and the tunnel.
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/possibly-best-view-in-world Thu, 19 May 2011 13:36:23 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/possibly-best-view-in-world info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Monaco Consulate in New York gears up to celebrate a legend of motor racing history
What: All That Thrills When: 19 May 2011 Where: Classic Car Club, New York City Contact: Consulate of Monaco Tel: 1 (800) 753-9696 Read more: http://monacotakesny.visitmonaco.com With the excitement of the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix just a hairpin turn away, the Consulate of Monaco and the Consulate of Argentina in New York have joined forces to celebrate one of the sport's legends at a special cocktail reception on Thursday 19 May at Manhattan's Classic Car Club. Born in 1911 in Argentina, Juan Manuel Fangio, known as 'El Maestro', dominated the early years of motor racing. In 1948 he was first invited to race in Europe, and after a string of successes he was taken on by the Alfa Romeo team for the 1950 season. Fangio won the first ever hat-trick (pole position, fastest lap and overall victory) in Formula 1 history in Monco on 21 May 1950 – his first Grand Prix win. He went on to win the World Drivers’ Championship five times between 1951 and 1957, a record which stood for 46 years until Michael Schumacher’s sixth win in 2003. But with the highest percentage of wins from starts, Fangio is still regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time.Fangio at the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix Argentina’s lively, colourful culture has always charmed Monégasques, and that bright spirit is perhaps best embodied in the Mendoza region wines for which it has become world famous. To celebrate Fangio's 100th birthday, his memory will be toasted with a limited-edition Cuvée Monaco from Algodon Wine Estates in San Rafael, Mendoza, a splendid 2,050 acre estate resting at the base of the Andes. Special guests expected at the event include Argentina’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador José Luis Pérez Gabilondo, and Monaco’s Ambassador to the United States, Gilles Noghès, whose father, Anthony, not only created the Monaco Grand Prix in 1929 but is also credited with inventing the race’s famous chequered flag. The reception will include a silent auction to benefit the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (USA) - featuring a display of vintage cars courtesy of the Classic Car Club, and a Tesla Roadster.
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/all-that-thrills-new-york Mon, 16 May 2011 18:05:24 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/all-that-thrills-new-york info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Red Bull Racing achieve the double again with an easy win for World Champion Sebastian Vettel
What: Turkish Grand Prix 2011 Where: Istanbul Park CircuitWhen: 8 May 2011 The German national anthem rang out yet again as Sebastian Vettel cruised to his latest win in this season's Formula 1 with consummate ease. It was the World Champion's fourth podium place since 27 March in Australia, and his third at the top of it. Although the 23-year-old encountered no pressure in the race itself, his victory was also a personal relief in the wake of a crash in Friday's rainy practice session (see below) The hard work was left to his team-mate Mark Webber to battle for second place against Ferrari's Fernando Alonso in a thrilling Turkish Grand Prix, a place which he eventually took in a great overtaking manoeuvre in lap 51 of 58. In a re-run of the Monaco Grand Prix result last year, Red Bull Racing achieved the coveted double - first and second place, with very little trouble. This was an unusual race in many ways, not least because of the numerous pit stops (to ensure compliance with the new F1 rules governing tyre-changes) and the allowed but controversial use of the DRS, or drag reduction system, which saw some impressive results but seemed to take some of the action out of the race. The two British drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, World Champions in 2008 and 2009 respectively, were denied podium places, the former partly due to a disastrous final pit-stop, while the latter simply could not make up ground, beaten into sixth place by Nico Rosberg. Between now and the Monaco Grand Prix on 29 May, constructors and drivers will be keen to work out how exactly they are going to beat Red Bull and their champion drivers. At the moment, Vettel tops the drivers' leaderboard at 93 from Hamilton's 59; Red Bull similarly lead by 148  to 105 over McLaren in the constructors' championship.
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/unstoppable-sebastian-vettel Thu, 12 May 2011 16:53:14 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/unstoppable-sebastian-vettel info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) New tyres set to make appearance at this year's race could make all the difference
What: Monaco Grand Prix When: 26-29 May 2011 With its street-based circuit, tight chicanes and narrow course, the Monaco Grand Prix is an unconventional race in comparison to those that take place on purpose-built tracks; and trying to predict how any of the other current frontrunners will do on this notoriously difficult course is anyone's business. The great thrill of this race is not so much to do with overtaking - it's more the sheer guts of the drivers as they flirt with potential disaster at every turn. This year there's another unknown quantity being thrown into the equation: the new Pirelli supersoft tyres, which will be used in Monaco for the first time. Whereas most circuits alternate between hard - for endurance - and soft, for speed, Monaco's tight and narrow corners suggest that the new compound supersoft tyre will provide the fastest lap times. But how they will affect drivers' performance we won't know until the day. The difficulty of overtaking on this course also means that qualifying in pole position is far more important: nearly all winners of the last decade have started from pole. A notable exception was Lewis Hamilton in 2008, who started third on the grid and who, despite a puncture, managed to take the lead as his rivals successively pitted. Over the course of the last ten years, British drivers have continued their excellent showing at Monaco, with two wins for David Coulthard and one apiece for 2008 and 2009 champions Hamilton and Jenson Button. Of course this is as nothing compared with Stirling Moss, Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart's almost unbroken string of Monaco victories from 1960 to 1971. But how good would it be, in the year of the British Royal Wedding, to see another Union Flag raised over the podium in 2011? For current World Champion Sebastian Vettel, however, Monaco has proved something of a mixed bag. In 2009 he crashed out of the race on the fifteenth lap at Saint Devote, though he more than made up for the ignominy in 2010 by coming second to team-mate Mark Webber, bringing home a precious one-two victory for Red Bull Racing. Can Vettel pull out the stops this year? Whatever the outcome. Monaco is looking set once more to be one of the most exciting and extraordinary races of the season. Last year's winner Mark Webber (Photo First Stop/Creative Commons) Monaco Grand Prix winners in the last ten years 2010     Mark Webber (Australia, Red Bull-Renault) 1:50:13.355 over 78 laps 2009     Jenson Button (UK,  Brawn-Mercedes) 1:40:44.282 over 78 laps 2008     Lewis Hamilton (UK,  McLaren-Mercedes) 2:00:42.742 over 76 laps 2007     Fernando Alonso (Spain, McLaren-Mercedes) 1:40:29.329 over 78 laps 2006     Fernando Alonso (Spain, Renault) 1:43:43.116 over 78 laps 2005     Kimi Räikkönen (Finland, McLaren-Mercedes) 1:45:15.556 over 78 laps 2004     Jarno Trulli  (Italy, Renault) 1:45:46.601 over 77 laps 2003     Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia,  Williams-BMW)  1:42:19.010 over 78 laps 2002     David Coulthard (UK, McLaren-Mercedes) 1:45:39.055 over 78 laps 2001     Michael Schumacher (Germany,  Ferrari) 1:47:22.561 over 78 laps 2000     David Coulthard (UK, McLaren-Mercedes)  1:49:28.213 over 78 laps
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-preview Tue, 03 May 2011 16:36:29 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-preview info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Lewis Hamilton showing old form as he takes Chinese Grand Prix ahead of Vettel and Webber
With just over a month to go until Monaco, the competition in this championship has moved up a notch with the running of the Chinese Grand Prix. In a remarkable race, 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton took his place at the top of the podium, pipping current board leader Sebastian Vettel into second. But the most astonishing drive came from Vettel''s Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber, who - in a gritty performance that is the mark of the man - clawed his way up to third from a disastrous 18th position in an incredible feat of tenacity and skill, overtaking McLaren's Jenson Button agonizingly close to the finish. This now changes matters dramatically.  Although Vettel still has a commanding lead, the Mercedes-McLaren team is making substantial inroads. With Hamilton and Button driving so well, there's certainly a chance for a reversal of last year's Monaco result, which saw Vettel and Webber take the top two places. Driver's Championship (after three races) 1     Sebastian Vettel     German     RBR-Renault     68 points 2     Lewis Hamilton     British     McLaren-Mercedes     47 points 3     Jenson Button     British     McLaren-Mercedes     38 points 4     Mark Webber     Australian     RBR-Renault     37 points
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/hamilton-wins-chinese-grand-prix-in-style Tue, 03 May 2011 14:45:10 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/hamilton-wins-chinese-grand-prix-in-style info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) The art of the Grand Prix poster is as old as the race itself. We take a look at some classics
It's a curious thing, the power of advertising. But years before the wonderful world of the web, things were - if anything - even more colourful; and, before the advent of the throwaway society, somehow more precious.  The early posters from seventy years ago are strikingly modern in their use of colour and line: it's almost as if one were looking at a Matisse or a Miro. They are great designs, which still have the ability to evoke speed and power decades after the cars themselves have vanished along the track of history. We'll be following the history of these iconic posters over the coming weeks, so to learn more about them, please feel free to visit any time. Meanwhile, here are a few examples from the early days. the first two by Robert Falcucci, and the third by the legendary Georges Hamel, who signed himself 'Geo Ham'. 'Ham' was renowned for his technical accuracy as well as his skills in graphic design. Later artists included Jean Ramel and London-born motorsport painter Michael Turner. For more vintage designs, visit our Grand Prix Posters gallery, and enter our poll to select your favourite artist here
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/poster-colours-design-classics-monaco-grand-prix Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:25:37 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/poster-colours-design-classics-monaco-grand-prix info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) To get your tickets for the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix, contact the official site through this link
What Online Monaco Grand Prix tickets Where http://www.formula1monaco.com This is what you will see when you click on the new ticketing website of the Automobile Club de Monaco: an interactive ticketing system for this year's Monaco Grand Prix The site is easy to use. Click on the day and then navigate to your chosen viewpoint to bring up the latest ticket prices, which vary according to the race you are watching. Practice sessions on Friday and Saturday are understandably cheaper, with prices ranging from €60 to €200, while on race day itself, Sunday 29 May 2011, expect to pay anything from €135 to €500. Alternatives are to watch the race from the Rocher (Saturday and Sunday only) where tickets are a fraction of that price: only €35 to €70 on race day. Admittedly you're a little further from the action, but the view can be spectacular - and you'll certainly not miss the unmistakeable shriek of the F1 engines. If you're not going to the  main event, you'll find that ticket pricing for the Friday is excellent, with Stand C (Portier) Sectors NOP, and Sectors X1 and X2 costing €60, and all others, including the Rascasse corner and the Casino stand at €70Preferential rates throughout the three days for children and members of the ACM
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-2011-tickets Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:20:42 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/monaco-grand-prix-2011-tickets info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Vettel continues unbroken string of GP wins with victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix
STOP PRESS Results 1   Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 2   Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes +3.261 3   Nick Heidfeld Renault +25.075 4   Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault +26.384 5   Felipe Massa Ferrari +36.958Leader Board after two races 1  Sebastian Vettel 50 points 2  Jenson Button 26 points 3=  Lewis Hamilton 22 points 3=  Mark Webber 22 points 5  Fernando Alonso 20 points --Pre-race reportRace start positions are beginning to look strangely familiar these days. Yet again, reigning World Champion Sebastian Vettelhas taken pole for this year's Malaysian Grand Prix, with 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton hot on his wheels. After a disappointing debut to the season in his home race in Australia, Mark Webber has bounced back to third, leaving 2009's golden boy Jenson Buttonin fourth and Fernando Alonso in fifth. Most telling, perhaps, is the dominance of Red Bull and McLaren in these top four, but it will be crucial for the British team to keep together if they are to have any chance of nipping in the bud what seems to be the unassailable roar of RBR.  Early days, and many months' racing to come, but the psychological advantage is crucial for both drivers and constructors. However, the key player in Sunday's race, the second of the 2011 season, may well turn out to be the rain. Weather conditions have always made their mark on Grand Prix motor racing, adding to the excitement as well as the danger. But this year there's genuine concern about the new Pirelli wet-weather tyres. Jenson Button has predicted mayhem in the race if the drivers are not careful: "With the heat and humidity, and with it being a very tough circuit on tyres, then we are going to see a very different race to the last one in Melbourne... Chuck the weather into it and it's going to be absolute madness. It will still be good and we're all looking forward to it because you never really know what's going to happen." Safety cars are one thing, but skill in wet weather is quite another, and drivers like Vettel seem to relish it. His first win for Red Bull in the rain-soaked 2009 Chinese Grand Prix was a case in point, taken from pole position, and he would surely have won the inundated Korean Grand Prix in 2010 - also from pole - had the engine not caused him to pull out nine laps from the finish. That race was eventually won by Fernando Alonso  - perhaps the one to watch tomorrow. And those who recall the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix will remember the current World Champion making his way from a penalized 19th to a magnificent fifth place - again in wet (though not quite so wet) conditions.
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/rain-malaysia-grand-prix-2011 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:51:24 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/rain-malaysia-grand-prix-2011 info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Reigning champion wins in style at first meeting of the new season in Melbourne
Sebastian Vettel proved he's no nine-day-wonder by taking this year's Qantas Australian Grand Prix in style just a few hours ago. The race - which was the first of the season due to the cancellation of the Bahrain GP last month - was run in sunny conditions at the attractive lakeside Albert Park circuit. But despite high hopes, home boy Mark Webber was unable to match his pre-race hopes, ending fifth overall. In the lead up to today's race, much attention has focused on the substantial redesign of the McLaren-Mercedes car. However on the day, despite a generally good drive, Lewis Hamilton only managed second, and is on record as saying that the car is only a 'stepping stone' towards a final Red Bull killer. Team-mate and 2009 Champion Jenson Button came in a comparatively lowly sixth following a drive-through penalty. But this was a command performance from the young German 2010 World Champion, who continued the winning streak that saw him overtake Fernando Alonso in the F1 stakes in the final races of 2010 in Brazil and Abu Dhabi. One other name to watch as the season unfolds: Vitaly Petrov - shouldering responsibility for Renault since the rallying accident to Robert Kubica which may well see him absent for the entire season - took the podium for the first time. It will be interesting to see how the current rankings will have changed by the time of the Monaco Grand Prix on 26 to 29 May 2011Sebastian VettelStandings after first race of the season1. Sebastian Vettel    1:29:30.259 2. Lewis Hamilton    +22.3 sec 3. Vitaly Petrov    +30.5 sec    4. Fernando Alonso    +31.7 sec 5. Mark Webber    +38.1 sec 6. Jenson Button    +54.3 sec
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/2011-grand-prix-flying-start Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:38:18 +0200 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/2011-grand-prix-flying-start info@cityoutmonaco.com (Cityout Monaco) Come back to this channel soon for news, features and bookings for this year's Grand Prix
Come back to this channel soon for news, features and bookings for this year's highlight Monaco Grand Prix
Read more...]]> http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/coming-soon Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:32:37 +0100 http://www.cityoutmonaco.com/monaco-grand-prix/articles/coming-soon