From its inception, way back in 1929 (it has featured on the F1 calendar since 1950) for fans of this discipline, the Monaco Grand Prix has always been the most glamorous event of the World Championship. This year, it’s the sixth round of the season. The track is truly unique and that results in a “different” kind of weekend to usual, as Kimi Raikkonen and Scuderia Ferrari’s Technical Director James Allison explain. “The circuit in Monaco is different from all the others, it is a good challenge, but during the race, it depends: if you start at the front it is nice, but if you are down at the back it is very difficult to overtake” says Kimi, who on the other hand is quite unimpressed by the glamour of the night life: “Like during all the races, we have a lot of meetings and after that we go to sleep, although all the people obviously enjoy it”. Yet, Monaco gives drivers a unique opportunity to feel the closeness of the public on the grandstands: “When the race is finished, we go slowly back and obviously we can see people and flags, but there are so many people that it is hard to notice”.
We have a good time here. Our hotel is okay (not the best but it is quiet and near the train and food station). Yesterday and today we went to Monaco (of course). Yesterday we did the half track walk and waited on our last years place for the drivers to come. So we met Gutierrez (who was very patient with me because I couldn´t find his picture to sign. But he waited untill I had the right one ), Grosjean, Palmer, Wehrlein, Haryanto, Hülkenberg, Perez, Sainz and Kvyat. I think Miezi has signed pictures from all of them. After that we went to the paddock and waited between the water and the paddock for Kimi (who was not to see as always ). But we saw Seb, Verstappen, Magnussen a lot of other team members. At least we waited so long that we saw Kimis mom walking to the Iceman and Toni Vilander too But because the strike and limited trains we could not wait for Kimi to come (but maybe he was on his yacht already). So back to Nice....
Today we followed FP1 and FP2 on the opposite from the pits. Not the best day for Ferrari but let´s hope the boys will find a solution for saturday/sunday. Between the FPs we were in "Stars`N Bars" and saw a lot of drivers on their way from/to work and finally Kimi too. Sadly today we were not allowed to "stalk" the Iceman again. But we saw Paula again. She also had dinner in Stars´N Bars. Now we are back, had something to eat and a shower. Time to go to bed
One last thing: Jenson were lucky today. Thankfully the drain cover hit only the car and not him. Otherwise...
quote Jenson Button hits dislodged drain cover during Monaco GP P1
Charlie Whiting travels round track to check errant covers By Matt Morlidge
Last Updated: 26/05/16 5:21pm
Practice One of the Monaco Grand Prix had to be red flagged after a loose drain cover flew into Jenson Button's McLaren, badly damaging the car.
The session, which Lewis Hamilton dominated, was minutes from its conclusion when Nico Rosberg dislodged the cover just after Sainte Devote, catapulting the piece backwards.
It shattered as it took a chunk out the front right side of Button's MP4-31, while Rosberg also suffered a back left puncture in his Mercedes.
"It went through the front-wing, suspension and brake intake," reported Button to Sky Sports News HQ. "It was an incident that we definitely don't want to see again. We were lucky in a way that it only damaged the car."
P1 couldn't be restarted after the incident, and FIA race director Charlie Whiting took a trip around the track following the session to double check if there were any other errant drainage issues.
"It's unacceptable in many ways because these things should be checked," said Sky F1 pundit Johnny Herbert. "They should be welded down."
At first, the Virtual Safety Car was deployed after Rosberg reported his puncture after the first corner, but the red flags soon came out as it became evident that his and Button's damage was not the result of an on-track collision.
Drain covers are usually welded down on street circuits, though problems have arisen in Monte Carlo before. Back in 2010, Rubens Barrichello had his race ended after a loose drain cover caused a suspension failure in his Williams.
Button and Rosberg weren't the only drivers facing problems in Thursday practice, with a lack of grip catching many out. Felipe Massa crashed into the wall at Sainte Devote, while Jolyon Palmer collided with the barrier out of Tabac.
Kimi was in a relaxed mood and gave a lot of signs. We saw now all F1 drivers face to face, even Hamilton () came to sign things. Let´s hope the boys will do well today
A wet race in Monaco is always a nightmare for Kimi. It's a sin. And he repeated the same mistake he made in the past in the same corner. Now I'm afraid for Canada. Hope not another mistake in the same corner like it happened in 2014 and 2015.
What shall I say: great week with a shit end maybe? I was really sad, when we saw the pictures on the screens how Kimi hit the barriers But we followed of course the rest of the race. After the race we saw Kimi on his way to the stewards. And he waved to fans when he came back and took his time for pictures with people from the pitlane. So we thought, he migth be in a good mood and that he has no penalty. Some last hours together here and than the time together will come to and end Today we will go to the sea and give some flowers to Jules.
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Wed May 25, 2016 11:55 am (Last edited: Wed May 25, 2016 12:03 pm)
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), Grosjean, Palmer, Wehrlein, Haryanto, Hülkenberg, Perez, Sainz and Kvyat. I think Miezi has signed pictures from all of them. After that we went to the paddock and waited between the water and the paddock for Kimi (who was not to see as always 
). But we saw Seb, Verstappen, Magnussen a lot of other team members. At least we waited so long that we saw Kimis mom walking to the Iceman and Toni Vilander too But because the strike and limited trains we could not wait for Kimi to come (but maybe he was on his yacht already). So back to Nice....
Kimi is a bit lazy 
