Michael Schumacher set the fastest lap of the Q3 session in Monaco, but the old stager has a five-place grid penalty to serve and so will not start the race from pole position, leaving that for Mark Webber, who was second quickest in his Red Bull Renault.
However, the Mercedes team looked pretty good as Nico Rosberg was third fastest, ahead of Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren, Romain Grosjean’s Lotus, the Ferraris of Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen;s Lotus, Pastor Maldonado’s Williams (which will drop 10 places on the grid) and Sebastian Vettel, who did not complete a timed lap in the session.
Webber on pole for Monaco, Briscoe on pole for Indy 500. Looking good, or a false dawn?!?
Whatever anyone thinks of this years tyres etc this is a hell of a dramatic year. Really happy to see Webber up there and even as not a Schumacher fan, it’s a nice story for F1…
F1 shoots itself in the foot again. “Schumacher on Pole at Monaco” would have been a massive story. By artificially tinkering with the grid (as a result of what would once have been regarded as a racing incident), they’ve turned it into something of an anticlimax. “Red Bull on Pole” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.
Still, it’s good to see Schumacher proving that there’s at least some life in the middle-aged dog yet.
Agree 100%. F1 is becoming to “Political Correct”. Mmm, next year cars will wear turning lights and should announce their intention before passing
Just kidding but it seems we are getting close….
That’s a great point. With all the intrigue and whispering about the intended IPO, how much would Bernie et al not wish the story to be a simple feelgood one again, particularly so soon after the Williams win. As you say, ‘Schumacher on Pole at Monaco’ would have made global headlines. Instead a racing incident (does anyone really think Schumacher made a split-second decision to commit a crime when Senna jinked left?!) and overzealous stewarding has briefly harmed the sport.
Tell you what F1, here, have my air rifle. Now aim for the other foot while you’re at it.
Great to see you on Sky Joe. May your book get to a wider audience. Make a heck of a movie. Happy for you.
The three major races this weekend will have an Aussie on the front row with
Brisco on Indy pole and Ambros 2nd starting spot for the Coca-Cola 600.
What was mike penalty?
Good for Schumi, it has been a though 2 and half years. Hope he is on the way up!!!
One for the old guys!!
Maximum groans per headline. Mr. Saward must be feeling very good this weekend.